FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lang and Vander Meer repeat at Ignitor

Boise, Idaho - Both Jody Lang and Dick Vander Meer earned wins at Firebird Raceway's 33rd Annual NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor Nitro Opener presented by Dan Wiebold Ford to find the winner's circle for the third time in the past four years at the event.

Lang of Puyallup, Wash., defeated Mike Lewis of Sumner, Wash., with a 12.866 second, 94.47 mph run to earn his first win of the year. The three-time Stock Eliminator division champion previously took home wins at the Ignitor in 2000 and 2002.

An all Idaho final was featured in the Super Comp finale as Nampa resident Vander Meer, faced off again Julie Barnhart of Emmett. Barnhart was competing in her first career final, but unfortunately couldn't earn the win lights as she lost by three thousandths of a second. Vander Meer earned wins in 2000 and 2002 at the Ignitor as well.

Racers also taking home wins were 2002 Northwest Division Champion Adam Bowdish of West Linn, Ore., in Comp; Mike Shannon of Kelowna, B.C., in Super Gas; D.J. Jannuzzi of Enterprise, Ore., in Super Street; and Jeff Devey of Twin Falls, Idaho, in Top Comp.

Northwest Division competition of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series will make its next stop at Mission Raceway Park for the Lordco Auto Parts B.C. Nationals, May 2-4 in Mission, B.C. The duration of eliminations for Super Stock and Sportsman Motorcycle of the NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series will also be contested at this event.

For more information, call Firebird Raceway at (208) 938-8986, or visit www.firebirdonline.com.

The following are final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Firebird Raceway:

COMP ELIMINATOR
Adam Bowdish, West Linn, Ore., '89 Trans Am, D/SM, 9.076 seconds, 123.91 mph def. 
Alan Ellis, Mapleton, Utah, '23 T-Ford, A/AA, 14.885, 76.58

SUPER STOCK
Sean Cour, Brush Prairie, Wash., '02 Firebird, GT/FA, 10.018, 133.57  def. 
Bill Parmenter, Sandy, Ore., '57 Chevrolet, SS/NA, 12.114, 103.9.

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Jody Lang, Puyallup, Wash., '81 Malibu, M/SA, 12.866, 94.47 def. 
Mike Lewis, Sumner, Wash., '86 Camaro, K/SA, 12.346, 108.06

SUPER COMP
Dick Vander Meer, Nampa, Idaho, Dragster, 9.181, 166.08 def. 
Juliet Barnhart, Emmett, Idaho, Dragster, 9.178, 147.01

SUPER GAS
Mike Shannon, Kelowna, B.C., '57 Corvette, 10.179, 143.90 def. 
Mike Coltrin, Star, Idaho, '63 Corvette, 10.154, 152.28

SUPER STREET
D.J. Jannuzzi, Enterprise, Ore., '67 Camaro, 11.208, 126.47 def. 
Steve Beggerly, Seattle, '68 Firebird, 11.164, 113.13

TOP COMP
Jeff Devey, Twin Falls, Idaho, 7.551, 178.96 def. 
Nick Drzayich, Auburn, Wash., '98 Firebird, 8.726, 114.16

SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE
Joe Collette, Boise, Idaho, '03 Kawasaki, 8.620, 155.03  def. 
Buff Kobs, Coeurd'Alene, Idaho, '95 Kawasaki, 7.658, 172.34

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thirteen new records set at Ignitor

Boise, Idaho - Day two of racing concluded at the 33rd Annual NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor Nitro Opener presented by Dan Wiebold Ford with thirteen new national records set during Firebird Raceway's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event. Two records were set in Comp, six in Super Stock, and five in Stock Eliminator.

The track has developed a reputation for being a venue that provides ideal racing conditions and the performances displayed thus far is indicative of the racing spectators have come to expect in Boise. Last year, 24 overall marks were set at Firebird Raceway and 33 were recorded in 2001.

Additional racers receiving accolades were Dennis Radford of Baker City, Ore., in Comp; Harry Holton of Modesto, Calif., in Super Stock; and Scott Hilton of Burbank, Calif., in Stock, which all earned bonuses from Sealed Power for being the low qualifier in their respective classes.

Randy Morken of Columbia Falls, Mont., was also the low qualifier Sportsman Motorcycle competition of the NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series and Nike Drzayich of Auburn, Wash., earned the same honor in Top Comp.

Eliminations begin Sunday at 9 a.m., with the Nitro Warriors tentatively scheduled for battle at 12, 3, and 4:30 p.m. Tickets with pit pass for the final day of racing at the 33rd Annual NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor Nitro Opener presented by Dan Wiebold Ford are $20. Children 12 and under are admitted free but a pit pass is $5.

For more information, call Firebird Raceway at (208) 938-8986, or visit www.firebirdonline.com.

The following are final qualifying result from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Firebird Raceway:

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Dennis Radford, Baker City, Ore., '02 Viper, A/PM, 6.451 seconds, -0.709 under index
2) Adam Bowdish, West Linn, Ore., '89 Trans Am, D/SM, 8.836, -0.634
3) Jirka Kaplan, Calgary, Alta., '23 T-Ford, AA/AM, 6.666, -0.634
4) Tom  Tucker, Bend, Ore., '98 Lumina, F/A, 8.545, -0.545
5) Clint Sallee, Glendive, Mont., '00 Fritz, B/D, 7.042, -0.538
6) Brian Hyerstay, Eugene, Ore., '00 Frameworks, G/D, 9.534, -0.536
7) Jim Warter, Fox Island, Wash., '92 Camaro, E/SM, 9.066, -0.504
8) Alan Ellis, Mapleton, Utah, '23 T-Ford, A/AA, 7.145, -0.445
9) Gary Anderson, Graham, Wash., '97 Firebird, F/A, 8.683, -0.407
10) Dennis Myers, Prosser, Wash., '98 Dakota, G/AA, 9.066, -0.384

SUPER STOCK
1) Harry Holton, Modesto, Calif., '68 Belvedere, SS/AA, 8.991 seconds, -1.339 under index
2) Gary McGlasson, Los Lunas, N.M., '69 Camaro, SS/HA, 9.938, -1.322
3) Sean Cour, Brush Prairie, Wash., '02 Firebird, GT/FA, 10.181, -1.289
4) Ritch Ahrens, Greeley, Colo., '85 Firebird, GT/EA, 10.057, -1.253
5) Jerry Jenkins, Modesto, Calif., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 9.095, -1.235
6) Mike Blackstone, Castro Valley, Calif., '90 Calais, SS/BS, 9.220, -1.160
7) Jeff Lane, N. Bend, Wash., '03 Grand Am, SS/CM, 9.135, -1.145
8) Byron Setters, Red Deer, Alta., '96 Camaro, GT/DA, 10.021, -1.139
9) Dave Raybourn, Modesto, Calif., '68 Dart, SS/AA, 9.192, -1.138
10) Abe Loewen, Regina, Sask., '98 Grand Am, SS/DM, 9.424, -1.116

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Scott Hilton, Burbank, Calif., '67 Mustang, D/S, 10.741 seconds, -1.449 under index
2) Robert Pond, Riverside, Calif., '67 Fairlane, A/S, 10.234, -1.386
3) Glenn Person, Regina, Sask., '72 Duster, F/SA, 11.167, -1.383
4) Joe Sorensen, Woodburn, Ore., '69 Camaro, A/SA, 10.301,-1.379
5) Bill Kost, Renton, Wash., '77 Cutlass, L/SA, 12.098, -1.332
6) Fred Rector, Durango, Colo., '72 Nova, H/S, 11.406, -1.304
7) Keith Lynch, Mt. Ayr, Iowa, '69 Camaro, C/SA, 10.797, -1.293
8) Don Little, Westley, Calif., '70 Barracuda, A/SA, 10.451, -1.229
9) Les Norton, South Jordan, Utah, '64 Savoy, A/SA, 10.512, -1.168
10) Janis Leatherman, Moses Lake, Wash., '71 Nova, I/SA, 11.852, -1.168

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ignitor "blasts-off" at Firebird Raceway

BOISE, Idaho - Time trials and qualifying kicked off the at the 33rd Annual NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor Nitro Opener presented by Dan Wiebold Ford, as 2002 Northwest Division Comp Eliminator champion Adam Bowdish leads his class after day one of qualifying.

The 23-year-old out of West Linn, Ore., made a 8.836 second run, -0.634 seconds under his class index to take the top spot in Comp Eliminator. Also leading their fields after day one are Harry Holton of Modesto, Calif., in Super Stock and Glen Person of Regina, Sask., in Stock Eliminator.

In NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series action, Randy Morken of Columbia Falls, Mont., is the top qualifier after a .002 second reaction time. Held in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, qualifying for the sportsman motorcycles are based on a driver's reaction time to the tree. Kennewick, Wash., resident Brian Preszler is also the top qualifier in Top Comp.

As racers try to begin the season with a successful start, an extra sense of importance will stressed on the competition this weekend as the Ignitor serves as the first race in Northwest Division competition for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Three of the eight Lucas Oil event winners last year at the Ignitor went on to win a division championship in their respective class while the other five finished no worse than in fifth place.

Although Dick Vander Meer finished the season fifth in Super Comp after earning a win at Firebird Raceway last year, the points he earned helped him qualify for the 2002 Jegs Allstar competition. The Nampa, Idaho, resident then traveled to Joliet, Ill., to compete against seven of the top Super Comp racers in the country where he earned a win at the all-star race.

Gates open tomorrow at 8 a.m., with final time trials and qualifying scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Comp Eliminator and Top Comp qualifying sessions are scheduled for 1 and 4 p.m., and the Nitro Warriors exhibition AA/FD and AA/FA cars will run at 1 and 4 p.m.

Tickers with pit pass for Saturday are $20. Children 12 and under are admitted free, but a pit pass is $5. For more information, call NHRA at (626) 818-1896, Firebird Raceway at (208) 938-8986, or visit www.firebirdonline.com.

The following are Friday's qualifying result from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Firebird Raceway:

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Adam Bowdish, West Linn, Ore., '89 Trans Am, D/SM, 8.836 seconds, -0.634 under index
2) Tom  Tucker, Bend, Ore., '98 Lumina, F/A, 8.545, -0.545
3) Clint Sallee, Glendive, Mont., '00 Fritz, B/D, 7.042, -0.538
4) Brian Hyerstay, Eugene, Ore., '00 Frameworks, G/D, 9.34, -0.536
5) Alan Ellis, Mapleton, Utah, '23 T-Ford, A/AA, 7.145, -0.445
6) Dennis Radford, Baker City, Ore., '02 Viper, A/PM, 6.812, -0.428
7) Jim Warter, Fox Island, Wash., '92 Camaro, E/SM, 9.161, -0.409
8) Gary Anderson, Graham, Wash., '97 Firebird, F/A, 8.683, -0.407
9) Jeff Lane, North Bend, Wash., '95 Cutlass, F/AA, 8.741, -0.359
10) Jirka Kaplan, Calgary, Alta., '23 T-Ford, AA/AM, 6.971, -0.329

SUPER STOCK
1) Harry Holton, Modesto, Calif., '68 Belvedere, SS/AA, 9.008 seconds, -1.322 under index
2) Gary McGlasson, Los Lunas, N.M., '69 Camaro, SS/HA, 10.002, -1.258
3) Jerry Jenkins, Modesto, Calif., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 9.095, -1.235
4) Ritch Ahrens, Greeley, Colo., '85 Firebird, GT/EA, 10.089, -1.221
5) Sean Cour, Brush Prairie, Wash., '02 Firebird, GT/FA, 10.298, -1.172
6) Dave Raybourn, Modesto, Calif., '68 Dart, SS/AA, 9.192, -1.138
7) Jeff Lane, N. Bend, Wash., '03 Grand Am, SS/CM, 9.160, -1.120
8) Mike Blackstone, Castro Valley, Calif., '90 Calais, SS/BS, 9.262, -1.118
9) Abe Loewen, Regina, Sask., '98 Grand Am, SS/DM, 9.424, -1.116
10) Kevin Cour, Ladera Ranch, Calif., '92 Ciera, GT/DA, 10.105, -1.055

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Glenn Person, Regina, Sask., '72 Duster, F/SA, 11.167 seconds, -1.383 under index
2) Joe Sorensen, Woodburn, Ore., '69 Camaro, A/SA, 10.301,-1.379
3) Robert Pond, Riverside, Calif., '67 Fairlane, A/S, 10.274, -1.346
4) Bill Kost, Renton, Wash., '77 Cutlass, L/SA, 12.098, -1.332
5) Fred Rector, Durango, Colo., '72 Nova, H/S, 11.406, -1.304
6) Keith Lynch, Mt. Ayr, Iowa, '69 Camaro, C/SA, 10.797, -1.293
7) Scott Hilton, Burbank, Calif., '67 Mustang, D/S, 10.912, -1.278
8) Don Little, Westley, Calif., '70 Barracuda, A/SA, 10.456, -1.224
9) Les Norton, South Jordan, Utah, '64 Savoy, A/SA, 10.512, -1.168
10) Janis Leatherman, Moses Lake, Wash., '71 Nova, I/SA, 11.855, -1.165

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Northwest Division NHRA Lucas Oil Series on track at Firebird Raceway

BOISE, Idaho - NHRA Northwest Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series racers will open their season April 11-13 at Firebird Raceway in Boise. The 33rd Annual NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor Nitro Opener presented by Dan Wiebold Ford is the first of seven events in the division. Drivers in Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street will compete for points leading to national and divisional championships. The Nitro Warriors, an exhibition of AA/FD and AA/FA cars, will highlight the weekend. The division's Top Comp class will also run in conjunction with the event.

Last year's division champions in Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street are ready to defend their crowns. They will race fellow competitors for a share of the $561,000 year-end points fund.

The division's defending Stock champion, Jody Lang of Puyallup, Wash., kicked off 2002 with a win here. He scored another win at Renegade Raceway in Yakima, Wash., en route to his second consecutive division title. Another good showing at Firebird this year could put Lang on the path to a fourth overall championship.

Meridian, Idaho, resident Terry Anderson won the Super Stock crown in 2002, his first division title. Anderson made it to the quarterfinals at Firebird Raceway and scored wins at Race City Motorsports Park in Calgary, Alb., and at Renegade Raceway.

Multi-time division champion Mike Ferderer started off 2002 with a final round appearance at Firebird Raceway in Super Comp. The Buckley, Wash., resident had a good year, finishing first in the division's Super Comp points standings and second in Super Gas.

Gates at Firebird Raceway open at 8 a.m. each day and qualifying begins Friday at 9 a.m. Comp Eliminator and Top Comp qualifying is scheduled at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Friday. Nitro cars are scheduled to run at 3 p.m. Qualifying continues Saturday at 9 a.m. and Comp Eliminator and Top Comp will run at noon and 4 p.m. with Nitro cars running at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Eliminations begin Sunday at 9 a.m. Nitro cars will run first round at noon.

Adult tickets, including pit pass, are $15 Friday, $20 Saturday and $20 Sunday. Children 12 and under are admitted free to the East Side and a pit pass (for children 6-12) can be purchased for $5 each day.

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.

Competitors will head north of the border for the next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, May 2-4. Mission Raceway Park in Mission, B.C., will host the division's second race.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet WHAT: 33rd Annual NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor Nitro Opener 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 division's Top Comp class will also run in conjunction with the event. The Nitro Warriors, a special exhibition of AA/FD and AA/FA cars, will highlight the weekend. The event is the first of seven in Northwest Division competition.

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

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, April 11-13, 2003

SCHEDULE: Time trials and qualifying schedule for the 33rd Annual Napa Auto Parts Ignitor Nitro Opener presented by Dan Wiebold Ford:

FRIDAY, April 11 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 9 a.m. Comp Eliminator and Top Comp qualifying sessions are scheduled at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Nitro cars will run at 3 p.m.

SATURDAY, April 12 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Comp Eliminator and Top Comp qualifying sessions are scheduled at noon and 3 p.m. Nitro cars will run at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

SUNDAY, April 13 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Eliminations begin at 9 a.m. Eliminations for Nitro cars begin at noon.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $15 Friday, $20 Saturday, $20 Sunday. Kids 12 and under are admitted to the East Side free and a pit pass (for children 6-12) can be purchased for $5 each day. For more information please call Firebird Raceway, (208) 938-8986 or visit www.firebirdonline.com.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $142,770, part of the 45-race, $6.5 million series.

2002 EVENT WINNERS: Steve Federlin, Top Alcohol Dragster; Bucky Austin, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Bob Lambeck, Comp Eliminator; Jeff Lane, Super Stock; Jody Lang, Stock Eliminator; Dick Vander Meer, Super Comp; Wayne Linder Jr., Super Gas; John Dalrymple, 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 2003 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.

SEALED POWER LOW QUALIFIER BONUS -- a $215,500 overall bonus fund from Federal-Mogul's Sealed Power brand to the low qualifiers at each of the 45 Lucas Oil events and the 23 NHRA national events: $1,250 each in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car; $400 each in Comp Eliminator and Super Stock; and $200 in Stock. (TAD and TAFC compete at 43 of 45 divisional events and 16 of 23 national events.)

JEG'S 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 Jeg's High Performance. The 2003 Jeg's 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 2003 Jeg's 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.

NHRA KERKER MOTORCYCLE SERIES: Run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, the NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series is an opportunity for competitors in NHRA's Sportsman Motorcycle class to earn points toward divisional championships. The $7,400 champions' purse posted by Kerker will be paid to first, second and third place points finishers in NHRA divisions that host Sportsman Motorcycles.

The top four riders from each division in the NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series will be invited to compete in the NHRA Kerker King of the Coast competition. In 2003, the All-Star invitational will be run in November during the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Thunder Valley Raceway in Noble, Okla.. The rider who is crowned the Kerker King of the Coast will earn $1,000. The runner-up in the 16-bike field will receive $500.

Currently, Sportsman Motorcycles are run in NHRA's South Central, West Central, Northwest and Pacific divisions.

FEATURES: More than 400 drivers in the eight racing categories. The Nitro Warriors, a special exhibition of AA/FD and AA/FA cars, will highlight the weekend.