DAY ONE: IGNITOR TESTING RESULTS

The 38th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor presented by Dan Wiebold Ford kicked into gear with the opening day of testing at the Firebird Opener. The Division 6 Lucas Oil Drag Race Series attracted a big turnout of racers testing on a near perfect day of practice.

Temperatures climbed into the 50s under partly cloudy skies with a small headwind as the corrected altitude never climbed above sea level all day. Most altitude gauges read 300-400 below sea level and racers are anticipating some of the fastest conditions in recent memory at Firebird throughout the weekend. Many racers commented throughout the day that the early morning sessions on Friday and Saturday will feature some mind boggling air. As many have mentioned over the years, there is just something special about the mine shaft conditions that Firebirds rarified air can deliver when all the variables are just right and it appears this weekend will be one for the record books.

A field in excess of 225 racers tested on Thursday, the majority of which made three practice hits. To give you an idea of how good the conditions are how `bout Robert Pond, who drove his AA/S Ford Fairlane to a refactored 9.83 elapsed time! The record for his class is 9.90.

Heres another example. Joe Sorenson took advantage of the killer air, laying down a mind numbing 9.83 (refactored to sea level) under the 9.93 A/SA class standard. His wheelstand alone was off the charts as the car carried the front end until nearly the 200 mark, nearly touching the bumper on his mighty green Camaro. Again watch out for Sorenson Friday morning since Stock is out of the gate first at 9 am.

The quickest performers for the day included Utahs Dave Poulson at 7.11, Mark Colton at 7.12 and local ace Cody Hiatt at 7.15, each of which will be competing in Top Dragster. On the door car side of the fence, Canadian Aaron Giroux ripped off a fine 7.78-179.35 to end the day in the Top Sportsman grouping.

General admission is $15 for adults on Friday, $5 for kids 6-12 and toddlers 5 & under are free.

See you there!