Your bigger tires might just be what got him! When I used to go to Greer Dragway about every week, I had a 74 Dart Swinger, 318 2 barrel with 2.45 gears. It was very consistent at 10.80's every run. Sometimes the track would do a King of the hill at the end of the night if racing finished early enough. I won foot brake, so I was in the KOTH race with the other class winners. I made it to the finals and it was winner take all. I had to run a 4 second car....lol. I was almost at the finish line when he started...lol. I squeaked him about like you just did, and he was madder'n hell that he lost. If I'd have lost, it woulda been worth it just to watch him go by at about 140 mph!