FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS: 39TH ANNUAL NAPA IGNITOR OPENER
Racers took advantage of near
perfect conditions on the second day of time trials and
qualifying at the NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor. As the opening stop
in the Division 6 of the NHRA, a whole variety of records were
blasted during the cool and cloud-filled day. With subtle tail
winds throughout the day, temperatures climbed to 70 degrees
under partly cloudy skies.
A total of 21 national records were established on Friday
(counting both e.t. and speed). Those racers joining the famed
Firebird Record Blaster Club included:
David Mann, Charlton, Mass., SS/E, 9.98, 132.56
Eric Bell, Chandler, Ariz., SS/EA, 9.35, 140.84
John Winslow, Prundale, Calif., GT/TA, 9.96, 131.17
John Percy, Pocatello, Ida., SS/AA, 8.90
Rob Youngblood, Nampa, Ida., SS/J, 10.27, 130.37
Pete Dodge, Redding, Calif., B/S, 10.50, 128.51
Glen Person, Regina, Sask., C/SA, 10.59, 123.20
Bill Edgeworth, Tacoma, Wash., K/SA, 11.65, 113.19
Hal Sorensen, Vancouver, Wash., B/SA, 10.14, 130.26
Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., F/SA, 11.00, 120.08
John Hill, Fairbanks, Alaska, I/SA, 11.37, 116.76
Adding a little flavor to the afternoon, the brand new AA/Fuel
Dragster of Mike Fuller Motorsports made a very nice 500’ lap.
With Mike McLennan at the wheel, the all- metal finished Fueler
rattled off a straight down Broadway 1.08 (60’), 2.75 (330’) and
coasting thru the 660’ mark at 4.12. By all indications, this
new ride should really fly this weekend.
Later in the afternoon, a pair of Cash Bash races were staged.
In the Box class, Dan Lafferty scored the big payday with a .022
light, running 7.20 on a 7.20 dial in to upend good friend Mark
Kidd. Kidd was better at the tree with a .003, trying his best
to scrub e.t. at the finish, posting a 7.76 (7.69 dial) at
164.50 mph (a full 14 mph slower than his semi-final finish).
The win was worth $1500 in the specially-staged 32-car field. In
No Box, two Washington racers matched up in the final. Rodney
Stults downed Mark Faul with a .009, 10.89 (10.86 dial). Faul
finished at .050, 11.37 (11.34 dial).
Many of you are already familiar with where to go to find out
all the latest qualifying results, but for those of you who may
not, direct yourself to
www.dragracecentral.com for a complete round by round update
from Friday’s day of racing.
