JASON RUPERT LEADS FUNNY CAR QUALIFYING WITH A 250 MPH BLAST AT THE IGNITOR

Eagle, Idaho – Jason Rupert from Yorba Linda, Calif., recorded the second fastest speed in Firebird history at the 42nd Annual NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor Opener on a partly cloudy, but sun-filled day of qualifying at Firebird. The defending NHRA World Champion captured the pole at a 5.82 elapsed time and a speed of 250.06 miles per hour. Texan John Hale made one pass for second at 6.00 and is followed by Jim Obalek from Canada who ran 6.01 and 6.04 with the Twig Zeigler Satellite to garner third in the Heritage Series Funny Car class.

One incident occurred during the day of NHRA qualifying as Adam Bowdish from Oregon City, Ore., lost control of his `05 Cavalier and spun into the wall at mid-track. Following a huge wheelstand at the start, the car went right, then left, impacting the left hand retaining wall before coming to a stop at mid-track. The car was heavily damaged, but the Bowdish walked away uninjured in the opening round of Competition eliminator qualifying.

For a more detailed report from the day’s activities, please drop by: www.dragracecentral.com.

Gates open Sunday at 9 am. NHRA Sportsman racing kicks off at 9:30 am followed by the first round of AA/Funny Car eliminations at noon. Adult pit-side admission is $22, while kids 15 & under will receive free admission.


The following are Saturday's final qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Northwest Division 42nd Annual NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor at Firebird Raceway:

NOSTALGIA FUNNY CAR
1) Jason Rupert, Yorba Linda, Calif., '69 Camaro, 5.826 seconds, 250.06 mph
2) John Hale, Dallas, Texas, '69 Camaro, 6.004, 246.30
3) Jim Obalek, Mission, B.C., '73 Satelite, 6.010, 237.71
4) Ryan Davenport, Calgary, Alb., '79 Arrow, 6.652, 180.86
5) Kurt Cruise, Fair Oaks, Calif., '69 Camaro, 8.490, 136.79
6) Will Martin, San Dimas, Calif., `69 Mustang, DQ

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1) Jeff Lane, North Bend, Wash., '11 Cobalt, B/SMA, 8.076 seconds, -0.744 (under index)
2) Ryan Warter, Olalla, Wash., '92 Camaro, F/SM, 8.841, -0.639
3) Dale Giroux, Canyon Creek, Alb., '04 Cavalier, B/AA, 7.068, -0.632
4) Aaron Strong, Auburn, Wash., '05 Cavalier, F/A, 8.171, -0.609
5) Alan Ellis, Mapleton, Utah, '23 roadster, A/AA, 6.680, -0.570

SUPER STOCK
1) Rick Paton, Edmonton, Alb., '02 Camaro, SS/AS, 8.693 seconds, -1.147 (under index)
2) Tom Gaynor, Battle Ground, Wash., '05 Cavalier, GT/DA, 9.717, -1.043
3) Byron Setters, Red Deer, Alb., '09 G5, GT/CA, 9.643, -1.007
4) Jim Isherwood, Mission, B.C., '67 Belvedere, SS/DA, 9.482, -0.968
5) Tom Nolan, Lacombe, Alb., '09 G5, GT/BA, 9.535, -0.965

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Jim Storms, Renton, Wash., '72 Barracuda, G/SA, 11.179 seconds, -1.111 (under index)
2) Christopher Cour, Brush Prairie, Wash., '10 Mustang, E/SA, 10.918, -1.072
3) Angela Bushmaker, Auburn, Wash., '65 Valiant, K/SA, 11.944, -1.016
4) Les Norton, South Jordan, Utah, '11 Challenger, BB/SA, 9.566, -0.984
5) Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., '69 Barracuda, C/SA, 10.725, -0.955

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Jake Neibauer, Billings, Mont., '63 Corvette, 7.298 seconds, 187.85 mph
2) Stefan Kondolay, Chilliwack, B.C., '69 Camaro, 7.314, 188.20
3) Doug Watts, Syracuse, Utah, '08 GTO, 7.318, 192.14
4) Mike Williams, Tilley, Alb., '03 Corvette, 7.353, 186.37
5) Ed Olpin, Pleasant Grove, Utah, '68 Camaro, 7.553, 181.81

TOP DRAGSTER
1) Moe Trujillo, Happy Valley, Ore., dragster, 6.882 seconds, 196.03 mph
2) Shane Molinari, Battle Ground, Wash., dragster, 6.951, 194.09
3) Art Hoover, Concord, Calif., dragster, 6.952, 192.34
4) Mike Quayle, Red Deer, Alb., dragster, 7.036, 191.93
5) Jarren Mott, Salt Lake City, Utah, dragster, 7.048, 189.71

SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE
1) Jeff Havens, Yakima, Wash., '95 Suzuki, SMC, 0.001 seconds reaction time
2) Craig Jensen, Chubback, Idaho, '01 Polaris, SMC, 0.002
3) Travis Patridge, Kennewick, Wash., '90 Suzuki, SMC, 0.002
4) Dan Patridge, Kennewick, Wash., '03 Suzuki, SMC, 0.006
5) Jon Jenkins, Richmond, B.C., '84 Suzuki, SMC, 0.008