During eliminations two parachutists draped in the American and Australian flags came down over the track.

A surprising finalist was fourth qualifier Terry Sainty in his unique Sainty powered top fuel dragster. In very trying hot and humid conditions Sainty’s car was very consistent with a best of 5.19 in qualifying followed by 5.20 and 5.18 times to make the final. There is 5.28 was no match for Hillary’s 4.74 low ET of the race.