What would The Bellagio of Dragstrips be without a fountain?

That's how owner Bruton Smith refers to zMAX Dragway at Concord, N.C. -- actually, he called it "The Bellagio of Dragways." And it is a beautiful facility, the finest his considerable cash can afford to build. It's the last place anyone would expect to hear on the public-address system "Clean up on Aisle 3!!!"

But that's just what happened Friday during the first day of qualifying for the National Hot Rod Association's Four-Wide Nationals.

After just two foursomes made it down the track, "plumbing" problems forced sanctioning-body officials to turn the affair into a three-wide display. They called it "a blemish," and it was an embarrassing one that wouldn't go away or respond to cosmetic camouflage.

The Funny Car class ran without Lane 3 in operation for its second session, but it was back in business for the start of Top Fuel qualifying to close the pro sessions.

Steve Torrence was the provisional qualifier Friday, joining Funny Car's Ron Capps and Pro Stock's Jason Line.