Good kill. I don't think it was N/A. To blow the tires at 55 he didn't have 4.56's cause at 55 I'm in 3rd and can only get a good chirp out of it, he must of had 4.10's. And 4.10's doesn't give it enough torque multiplication to break them loose at that speed since the 4v doesn't make alot of torque. So they only answer would be forced induction. So a basic 8-9# kit would give it around 400rwhp atleast. If your stock or aren't near that power he was making and you pulled him after missing a gear, then I think he may have been toying with you. Was the road wet? Maybe that's why he broke loose?
-Mark