07 Ignitor

The 37th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor presented by Dan Wiebold Ford attracted a tremendous field of racers who attended the race from all over the western United States and three Canadian provinces. From Top Fuel through Super Street, the opening Division 6 event in the Lucas Oil Drag Race Series benefited from beautiful weather and many outstanding performances throughout the weekend. Special thanks to Division 6 Director Jonathan Adams, Division 6 Tech Director Dave Schaffel, Division 6 Chief Starter Mark Lyle and the entire Northwest Division Team, who in concert with the Firebird Track Staff pulled off one fine weekend of racing. Having hosted divisional events at Firebird dating back to 1969, this one ranks right up with the "best of the best". To all involved, including all the racers, crew, sponsors, and fans, thanks for making #37 a truly memorable weekend!

The 37th Annual NAPA Ignitor presented by Dan Wiebold Ford attracted a top flight cast of AA/Fuel Dragster teams, including Shannon Stuart (near side) and Scott Mason, pictured here during Saturday qualifying.

All the Ignitor champions gathered for this group photograph, which included (top row, l to r): Mike McLennan, Matt Moreira, Lucky Snyder, Steve Wann, Jody Lang, Steve Williams, Rodney Lee, (kneeling): Rick Milinazzo, Wade Johnson, Tom Malicki, Todd Fricke, Chris Jaggers, and Steve Lambert, joined by D6 Director Jonathan Adams (left).

In what was shaping up to be a terrific final (after both finalists had run 5.90 earlier in the event), Mike McLennan drove the Mike Fuller Fuel Dragster to a winning 5.97-246.17 to stop a piston-eating 6.16-216.19 by Troy Green (far side).

Nampa's Matt Moreira defeated Greg Daebelliehn (far lane) for the Altered Shootout title, running 6.24-227.21.

Colorado's Lucky Snyder conquered the Comp field with his unique `62 Sunbeam with a 8.89-121.14 to down the #1 qualifier Bob Marshall, who redlit by -.017 in the final.

Tom Malicki's dragster worked perfectly in Top Dragster, winning the first official crown in the Division 6. Runner-up Andy Morris (far lane) just missed the tree with a -.001 red bulb.

Rick Milinazzo from Windsor, Colorado, put together one fine after run another with his ultra-cool `61 Impala (near side) to stop Division 6 champ Gerry Epp, Abbotsford, B.C., 11.23 to a too quick 11.14 (11.20 index).

Winning for the second straight year, Steve Lambert downed Brady Jesser (far side) for the Pro crown. Lambert ran 10.80-122.66 against an 11.81-110.61.

In Top Sportsman, Todd Fricke (near lane) defeated the Nova of Robert Matthews. Both drivers hit .017 lights, but Fricke overtook Matthews with a 7.46-180.86.

The 9.20 Super Comp final pitted Steve Williams (far side) and Blu Hayball. Williams drilled a perfect 9.20-174.72 against a 9.22-169.20 by the eastern Idaho racer.

"Mr. Ignitor" - Jody Lang won yet another Stock championship with his very consistent Wagon (far lane). Lang stopped Jeff Lane in the final with a 12.80-100.54.

Chris Jagger (finally) won his first NHRA Wally trophy by holding off Randy Bullington in Super Pro. Jaggers posted an 8.32-157.31 to stop Bullington, who ran 8.22-148.29.