The year was 1988. It was the first-time since the inception of the E.T. Finals (1978) that Firebird would play host to the event. It would also mark the first Northwest Team Championship for the western Idaho race facility. Led by Dave Goff (who won on Sunday), Firebird racers prevailed over a strong field of racers, winning the overall title by just one point. From that date until today, the rivalry between Woodburn (who finished second that year) and Firebird has been nothing shy of intense. Perennial favorite - Woodburn will be coming to Firebird in `08 over Labor Day Weekend as the defending champions. The Firebird team will be trying to win it's fifth championship in its on going pursuit of the "Drive for Five". Reflecting back, isn't a bit funny that this picture from `88 shows Firebird general manager Bill New (left) and Woodburn chief Jim Livingston (right) with then Division 6 Director Gene Bergstrom. Today Bergstron has been brought into Woodburn as part of the management arm of the raceway (we like to call him Jim's hired "gun"). Should be interesting this coming Labor Day weekend - as the rumor mill goes, it sounds like Bergstrom will be attending and Jim will be staying home to run an event at his track. We say - bring it on!