Melanie Troxel qualified fastest at the 11th annual Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway in Chicago (Joliet). The teams battled the weather, endured rain , wind, and tornado warnings while trying to qualify. Qualifying results and first round pairings:
(R.T.) E.T.- MPH
1 Melanie Troxel (.090) 5.050-259.41
16 Gary Densham (.108) 4.928-309.98
2 Mark Oswald (.087) 4.822-319.52
15 Jack Beckman (.076) 4.895-316.82
3 Ashley Force (.141) 4.817-318.02
14 Robert Hight (.098) 6.344-142.51
4 Ron Capps (.099) 6.135-153.68
13 Scott Kalitta (.105) 4.918-305.29
5 Cruz Pedregon (.099) 4.992-297.09
12 Bob Tasca III (.030) 5.276-251.11
6 Gary Scelzi (.125) 4.897-312.21
11 Mike Neff (.140) 4.966-307.44
7 Jerry Toliver (.096) 9.084-89.07
10 Tony Pedregon (.062) 4.884-311.49
8 John Force (.081) 4.904-313.07
9 Tim Wilkerson (.064) 4.919-280.89