These two have raced each other 25 times before today, Dixon holding a 14-11 edge. The last time they met was in the finals at Joliet, Schumacher getting the win light in that one.

It's been said before, but Dick LaHaie is the master of getting down a hot track. Dixon's run was flawless, up until the chutes should have come out, anyway. Schumacher steadily lost ground, Dixon taking the lead by the time they reached the 60-foot timers, and drawing away. Schumacher started dropping cylinders on the top end and may have lost a blower belt before the finish line. On the PA system, Dixon said he went for the chute handle and missed. By the time the chutes came out, Dixon was a long way down the track and barely avoided going into the sand pit.