Tony Schumacher is first to break 330 mph barrier! Runs historic 330.23 mph driving Exide Batteries car in round one. Second best effort of weekend, 325.06 mph, just misses backing up the mark within required 1% for a new national mark.

16 car qualified Top Fuel field at Firebird Raceway is one car away from being drag racing’s all time fastest field. 4.738 secs bump just misses ‘98 Revell Nationals all time quick 4.728 secs.

Randy Parks, driving Fluke/Ryden Decal Top Fueler, does wild blowover in first round of qualifying on Friday. Incident is much like infamous Garlits blowover at E-Town. Car goes over at about 500 foot mark and heads back to starting line. Parks is unhurt -- crew packs motor into backup car, but ultimately is a DNQ.

Australian TF rookie sensation Andrew Cowin runs career best 4.714 secs at 303.64 mph to qualify 14th. 18-year old then pulls off upset of the meet in round one when he beats Larry Dixon on a huge holeshot. Cowin wins at 4.715 secs 292.08 mph versus Dixon’s much quicker and faster 4.597 secs at 316.38 mph. Dixon is distracted by problems starting his car.

John Force earns first win driving revolutionary new Castrol GTX ‘99 Mustang. Saves best run of weekend for final as he reels off both low ET and Top speed at 4.843 secs 317.87 mph to seal the victory.

Mopar racer Allen Johnson has his best career outing in Pro Stock going to semifinals driving his Tennessee-based Dodge Avenger. Johnson kicks sand into faces of experts as he is the only one of six Mopars entered to crack the field. Former IHRA standout Robert Patrick qualifies his Ford Probe on bubble and joins Johnson as only non G.M. racers to dance on Sunday. Another Johnson, Kurt -- takes over Winston points lead with win driving Chevy Camaro.

Federal Mogul Sportsman racing is highlighted by Alan Freese’s second national event win in a row in Competition eliminator. Freese, driving his California based C/EA Pontiac, had won for the first time in his career three weeks earlier at Pomona’s Autozone Winternationals. Competition eliminator qualifying is paced by Tom Snyder’s fan favorite “Pappy’s Pride” A/Altered.

Defending NHRA U.S. Nationals champion Darren Nicholson, from Laguna Hills, CA., has perfect .400 light in final round of Federal Mogul Dragster. With that he wins over Dale Carlson. Carlson was also the class bridesmaid at Pomona.

Tim Wilkerson is conspicuous by his absence on the Funny Car eliminator entry list at the CSK Nationals. Rumors circulate about a major meltdown between car owner John Costanza and the NHRA. Team’s future plans are unclear -- but fans are hoping for a fast rebound for one of NHRA’s most potent up and coming Pro teams.