Drivers finally made public their first-round callouts for the big-dollar showdown that will take place on Saturday of the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.
No. 1 seed Steve Torrence, the four-time and reigning Top Fuel world champion, picked the No. 6 seed, longtime rival Leah Pruett and her Dodge Power Brokers team, as the first opposition for his Capco Contractors team.
No. 2 seed Brittany Force took the stage next and immediately called out Antron Brown, the No. 5 seed.
No. 3 seed Mike Salinas, winner of the recent NHRA Arizona Nationals, then called out the No. 8 seed, Shawn Langdon, saying he was looking for the toughest competition left.
Justin Ashley, the No. 4 seed, did not get picked and with only Doug Kalitta left, earned a match with Kalitta in round one.
The first round takes place at 11:45 a.m. ET on Saturday, March 12, with the semifinals set to follow at 1:30 p.m. The final round is slated for 3:15 p.m. The FOX broadcast network will have coverage starting at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 12 weather permitting.
See a full recap and what the drivers had to say by Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor: