WEATHER SHORTENS FIRST DAY OF QUALIFING AT 42ND ANNUAL NAPA IGNITOR OPENER

After a number of racers made qualifying and time trial runs during the 42nd Annual NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor Opener, wet weather suspended racing until Saturday at Firebird Raceway. The opening round of Stock eliminator was completed as Bob Gullett from Calgary, Alberta, leads the field at 11.26 seconds (-.929 under his index) in his G/Stock `68 Nova followed by former NHRA World Champion (2010) Brad Burton, Kirkland, Wash., who is second in E/Stock Automatic `72 Pontiac at 11.09 (-.896 under). The highest qualified local racer is Mick Alley, Eagle, who is in the eighteenth spot with his CC/Stock Automatic `69 Camaro at a 10.21 (-.624 under).

NHRA Sportsman racing continues on Saturday starting at 9 am, followed by the opening rounds of AA/Funny Car qualifying at 1 pm and the second and final session at 5 pm.  Sunday gates open at 9 am and first round of Sportsman eliminations starting at 9:30 am and AA/Funny Car final eliminations at noon. Adult pit-side admission is $22, while kids 15 & under will receive free admission.

42nd Annual NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor Nitro Opener presented by Dan Wiebold Ford
Friday, May 4, 2012

Stock eliminator qualifying
1. Bob Gullett, Calgary, Alta., Class: G/S, 11.26, -.929 under the index.
2. Brad Burton, Kirkland, Wash., E/SA, 11.09, -.896.
3. Brian Stewart, Medford, Ore., K/SA, 12.07, -.885.
4. Larry Maxwell, Overton, Nev., F/SA, 11.27, -.867.
5. Jim Storms, Renton, Wash., G/SA, 11.45, -.837.