HARRIS CRUSHES FIREBIRD TRACK RECORD

Jack Harris was hungry to reclaim the Fuel Dragster record the 38th running of the NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor. You could sense from the sound of his burnout during Saturday’s qualifying round that the “Nitro Thunder” was hopped up big-time. Never before had a Top Fueler run quicker than 5.83 seconds (Brad Thompson on Saturday night of the 2007 Pepsi Nightfire Nationals) at Firebird. Harris left like a rocket ship and never looked back, blitzing the track e.t. record with a booming 5.69 elapsed time. You knew it was on a fast one when he tripped the eighth-mile clocks at 209 miles per hour (with a 60’ e.t. of 1.03).

Not only did Harris eclipse the track record, but he also found a way to run in the 5.70’s, 80’s and 90’s, too. During the weekend, he ran 5.87, 5.99 and a final round 5.79 to stop Howard Haight who smoked the tires about a hundred feet into his run. The Botelho, Compston and Patterson Fueler ran a quickest of 6.20 and 6.21, but were outrun in each heat by the Utah team.

In the Supercharged Shootout, congratulations to Matt & Kerry Moreira for delivering back-to-back 6.172 e.t.’s in opposite lanes to defeat the “Outlaw” Funny Car of Dale Harsin.

Presented by Dan Wiebold Ford, the Division 6 Lucas Oil Drag Race Series land on a new weekend this year. In the past few years, the race had been staged over Mother’s Day weekend in May. For the first time since Firebird hosted a World Championship Series meet in 1969, the race was scheduled on the final weekend of April. The race attracted a stronger car count (exceeding over 400 racers) and as most will agree, the weather was just fantastic.

One thing we noticed that seems to be gaining in popularity and interest is the number of families racing together these days. It’s really quite refreshing to see not only many of the Dad’s and Mom’s racing, but all the kids, too. At the same time, we tip our hats to everyone who made the trip with more than one race car in a trailer. Not only does it make more economic sense when traveling, but it also provides better use of space in the pit area, too.

Congratulations to all the champions who successfully waded through Sunday’s eliminations and reached the Pepsi Winner’s Circle. A tip of the hat to the Idaho racers who were able to make the final rounds, too. Specifically, Sean Page (win-Top Dragster, pictured), Ryan Cook (win-Super Pro), Randy Williamson (win-Pro), Jacob Wood, Derric Barr and Duane Noe (who finished runner-up) were the highest finishers from the Gem State.

On behalf of the entire New Crew and the Firebird Staff, we just want to say thanks to everyone who participated this past weekend. We’re very grateful for your support and hope you enjoyed yourself in western Idaho’s Treasure Valley.

AA/FUEL DRAGSTER ELIMINATOR
Jack Harris, Kaysville, Utah, AA/FD, 5.79, 249.55 def.
Howard Haight, Brownsburg, Indiana, AA/FD, smoked the tires.

COMP ELIMINATOR
Alan Ellis, Mapleton, Utah, '23 roadster, A/AP, 10.380, 98.15 def.
Adam Bowdish, Oregon City, Ore., '89 Trans Am, H/SM, foul.

SUPER STOCK
Brad Plourd, Maple Valley, Wash., '05 Cavalier, SS/BM, 11.138, 86.72 def.
Steve Polack, Enumclaw, Wash., '92 Camaro, SS/CM, foul.

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Kelly Thomas, Arburn, Wash., '94 Ram, M/SA, 12.492, 103.65 def.
Mary Ann Method, Weston, Ore., '69 Nova, B/SA, 10.680, 113.85.

SUPER COMP
Aaron Kinard, San Marcos, Calif., dragster, 9.182, 169.10 def. Steve
Williams, Loma Linda, Calif., dragster, foul.

SUPER GAS
Mike Ferderer, Buckley, Wash., '05 Grand Am, 10.253, 159.51 def.
Rodney Lee, Portland, Ore., '61 Corvette, 10.179, 164.20.

SUPER STREET
Dudley Gee, Canby, Ore., '66 Mustang, 11.227, 131.75 def.
Nikki Cannon, Bothell, Wash., '67 Nova, 11.242, 139.62.

TOP SPORTSMAN
Robert Matthews, Gig Harbor, Wash., '67 Nova, 7.748, 176.92 def.
Randy Johnson, Bothell, Wash., '04 Cavalier, 7.729, 175.57.

TOP DRAGSTER
Sean Page, Boise, Idaho, dragster, 7.803, 170.61 def.
Mike Henderson, Tacoma, Wash., dragster, 7.257, 184.61.

SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE
Mo Rider, Roy, Utah, '97 Kawasaki, 8.632, 147.71 def.
Jacob Wood, Eagle, Idaho, '01 Artic Cat, 9.198, 144.11.

SUPER PRO
Ryan Cook, Rexburg, Idaho, dragster, 7.866 169.74 def.
Derric Barr, Nampa, Idaho, dragster, 8.320, 159.77.

PRO
Randy Williamson, Boise, Idaho, '72 Vega, 9.886, 122.51 def.
Duane Noe, Wilder, Idaho, '66 Chevy II, 13.364, 97.70.