DAY TWO: IGNITOR QUALIFYING

The opening day of qualifying was nothing shy of spectacular. The air was totally off the charts as the corrected altitude delivered some amazing mineshaft conditions throughout the morning and into the early afternoon. As many mentioned throughout the pit area, theres just something magical about racin in April at Firebird.

The 37th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor saw a number of new NHRA National Records established and backed up throughout the day. Presented by Dan Wiebold Ford, one of the most impressive runs of the day came in Comp eliminator by Bob Marshall. Driving his B/AA, the Canadian ripped off a 7.15, which refactors to 6.98. Hell attempt to back up the big number during Saturdays second day of qualifying. Californian Randy Jones was also very quick as he drove his H/SM to a 9.12 (old mark of 9.21) and backed it up with a 9.19. Adam Bowdish tried to nail the same record with his ride, but fell short at 9.20.

In Super Stock, Bob Fordyce put down a 9.80 (old record 9.87) in GT/CA. He also set the speed record at 134.44 (old mark 133.70). Jim Caughlin drove his SS/FS one half of the standard at 12.04 (old-12.15) at 109.76 (old-107.10). He will need to back up the number on Saturday. Steve Wann ran very fast, too. At the wheel of his SS/IA rid, he ran 9.96-131.17 to lower both ends of the record. In GT/L, Gary Howe wheeled his `55 Chevy to an 11.07 (old-11.17) and will be attempting to back up the e.t. standard on Saturday.  Another new member to the Firebird Record Blaster club is Brad Rounds, SS/TB, who ran 9.45-141.39 (old-9.58-140.16).

The Stock racers also flew throughout the day. Robert Pond may very well have laid down the days top pass. Driving his AA/S Fairlane, Pond ran 10.13-131.65 (old-10.23-131.65. Don Forrester lowered the M/SA mark of 12.17 with a 12.10-108.22. Bill Edgeworth collected the L/SA mark with an 11.94-108.07 (old-12.18-107.03). In A/SA, Hal Sorensen ran back to back 10.17 passes to lower the 10.26 record. Arizonas Glen Person ran 10.77 to bust the 10.87 standard for E/SA. Last but not least, Caleb Hansen unleashed an 11.92-112.16 to easily get the H/S number of 12.19.

All together, nineteen different national records were set, with a strong possibility of several more on Saturday.

Should be real fast and lots of fun to take in on Saturday hope you can make it!