Firebird Raceway will host the 39th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor presented by Dan Wiebold Ford, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, May 1-3, 2009.  The race is the first of six on the NHRA Northwest division schedule and will feature drivers in six racing categories vying for valuable points leading to divisional and national championships.

Courtesy: NHRA Media Relations

BOISE, Idaho – Firebird Raceway will host the 39th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor presented by Dan Wiebold Ford, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, May 1-3, 2009.  The race is the first of six on the NHRA Northwest division schedule and will feature drivers in six racing categories vying for valuable points leading to divisional and national championships.  The division's Auto Max USA Top Sportsman Series, the Northwest Division Top Dragster Series and the Sportsman Motorcycle Series presented by Harley Davidson will also run in conjunction with the event.  The weekend extravaganza will also showcase AA/Nitro Fuel Dragsters, headed up by recent March Meet winner Brett Harris.

Some racers, including Nampa's Dick Vander Meer, have gotten a jump on the season by competing at out-of-division races.  Vander Meer ran at Pacific division events in Chandler, Ariz., and Las Vegas.  In Chandler the Super Comp racer went to the fourth round but suffered a first-round loss in Las Vegas.  Those numbers are good enough to give him a slight edge in the point standings so he comes into Firebird leading the Super Comp class.  However, there are four other racers within reach of the former division champion.  Earl Cunningham, Bonney Lake, Wash.; Jerry Denton Jr., Chandler, Ariz.; George Preszler, Kennewick, Wash.; and Bob Woodruff, Maple Valley, Wash., are all just 11 points back.

Two of the division's reigning champions were in the final round of this race a year ago.  Super Gas champion Mike Ferderer of Buckley, Wash., scored the win over Portland, Ore., racer Rodney Lee and Super Street champion Nikki Cannon, Bothell, Wash., was runner-up to Dudley Gee of Canby, Ore.

Gates at Firebird Raceway open at 8 a.m. each day.  Qualifying and time trials start Friday morning at 9 and continue Saturday at 9 a.m.  Racers in Comp Eliminator will qualify at 1 and 4 p.m. on Friday and at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday.  Eliminations will start Sunday at 9 a.m.  AA/Nitro Fuel Dragsters will run throughout the weekend.

Tickets for the 39th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor presented by Dan Wiebold Ford are $15 Friday, $20 Saturday and $20 Sunday.  Children 6 to 12 years old are $5 each day and kids 5 and under are admitted free. 

Firebird Raceway is located on Highway 16, five miles north of Highway 44.  For more information call the track, (208) 938-8986, or visit www.FirebirdOnline.com.

NHRA Northwest division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will continue the 2009 season north of the border.  Mission Raceway Park in Mission, B.C., will host the second race May 22-24.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

WHAT: 39th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor presented by Dan Wiebold Ford, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, where drivers earn points leading to divisional and national championships.  Categories include Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street.  The event is the first of six in Northwest Division competition. The division's Auto Max USA Top Sportsman Series, Northwest Division Top Dragster Series and the Sportsman Motorcycle Series presented by Harley Davidson will also run in conjunction with the event.  The event will also showcase AA/Nitro Fuel Dragsters, lead by recent March Meet winner Brett Harris, on Saturday and Sunday.

WHERE: Firebird Raceway, Boise, Idaho.  Track is located on Highway 16, five miles north of Highway 44.

WHEN:  Friday through Sunday, May 1-3, 2009

SCHEDULE: Time trials and qualifying schedule for the 39th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor presented by Dan   Wiebold Ford:

FRIDAY, May 1 -- Gates open at 8 a.m.  Qualifying and time trials begin at 9 a.m.  Comp Eliminator qualifying sessions are scheduled at 1 and 4 p.m.

SATURDAY, May 2 -- Gates open at 8 a.m.  Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.  Comp Eliminator qualifying is at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

SUNDAY, May 3 -- Gates open at 8 a.m.  Eliminations begin at 9 a.m.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $151,875, as well as a chance at a share of the year-end purse of more than $560,000.

2008 EVENT  WINNERS: Alan Ellis, Comp Eliminator; Brad Plourd, Super Stock; Kelly Thomas, Stock Eliminator; Aaron Kinard, Super Comp; Mike Ferderer, Super Gas; Dudley Gee, Super Street

 

BONUS PROGRAMS:  
NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES POINTS FUND -- a $561,000 point fund from Lucas Oil, which will be shared by 2009 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisional champions and national champions.  Divisional awards include $8,500 each to the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car champions; $3,000 to the champions in both Competition and Super Stock; $2,000 each to the champions in Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street.  The seven national champions will share a bonus of $135,000.

 

JEGS ALLSTARS: The best of the best from each of NHRA's seven divisions will compete for a share of the $100,000 point fund from Jegs High Performance.  The 2009 Jegs Allstars event will culminate a year-long points battle between drivers in each of NHRA's Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series' eight classes.  The top points earner in each category will qualify to represent his/her division at the 2009 Jegs Allstars.  Points are based on in-division races only. 

 

The winning division's team will share $20,000 and individual awards include $7,000 each to the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car champions, $6,000 to champions in Comp Eliminator and Super Stock, and $4,500 to the Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street champions.  Runners-up in all categories will earn $2,000 apiece.  Each Allstars competitor will also receive a share of a $20,000 towing fund to get to the event.

 

Event sponsor, Jegs High Performance, is offering a "double up" bonus to Jegs Allstars participants.  Any 2009 Jegs Allstars champion who also wins the national event will have his/her Allstars prize doubled.

 

NHRA SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE SERIES presented by HARLEY DAVIDSON: The NHRA Sportsman Motorcycle Series presented by Harley Davidson, run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, is an opportunity for competitors in NHRA's Sportsman Motorcycle class to earn points toward divisional championships.  The $14,000 champions' purse posted by Harley Davidson will be paid to 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place points finishers in NHRA divisions that host Sportsman Motorcycles.

 

AUTO MAX USA TOP SPORTSMAN SERIES: The Auto Max USA Top Sportsman Series, run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, is an opportunity for competitors in the Northwest division's Top Sportsman class to earn points toward divisional championships.  The $3,500 champions' purse Posted by Auto Max USA will be paid to 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place points finishers.

 

NORTHWEST DIVISION TOP DRAGSTER SERIES: The Northwest Division Top Dragster Series, run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, is an opportunity for competitors in the Northwest division's Top Dragster class to earn points toward divisional championships.  The $3,500 champions' purse will be paid to 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place points finishers.

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