Here's the actual story from the Inaugural Ignitor in 1971. The champion of the first Nitro Opener was none other than "the Snake" Don Prudhomme and the famed Mattel Hot Wheels AA/Funny Car (library photo from Lion's). Downing a field that included Jerry Ruth, Charlie Allen, and Kenney Goodell, Prudhomme recorded a best of 7.40-204.46. If you read closely in the result's piece, other racers in attendance included Lloyd Taylor, Cal Method, Ralph VanPaepeghem, Vic Asqueta, Keith Grondahl, Ron Jones, Jeff Parker and others.