After 42 years, one of the more nostalgic towers in the sport has been sent to greener pastures. The venue is Firebird Raceway, in what is known as Idaho's Treasure Valley -- more specifically, the foothills above the Gem State's capital city of Boise. In its place will be a striking new state-of-the-art race-control tower.
 
"This will unquestionably be the signature backdrop for our raceway," said track general manager Bill New. "It's taken quite an effort to pull it off this winter, but thanks to a team of better than 90 key people and the very instrumental CSDI construction firm, we will achieve our targeted opening this April."
 
The two-story tower will feature more than 3,200 square feet of space, a mighty increase from the old structure, which, after three additions throughout the years, topped out at 295 square feet, replete with its infamous rickety old stairways and 6-foot-tall ceilings. The new structure will house race operations, a media center, and offices.
 
One of the more progressive improvements in Firebird's four-decade-plus history, the new complex will officially debut at the 40th anniversary NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor opener, April 30-May 2. The oldest race in the Pacific Northwest, the Ignitor is part of the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series, featuring a key points stop and an eight-car qualified field for the AA/Fuel Dragster class. Additionally, the race will be the first Northwest stop in the Division 6 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Race Series.
 

The Racers Edge will sponsor David Rampy, one of the most prolific drivers in NHRA history, for the 2010 season. Rampy will continue with his two-car assault, campaigning his Comp ’32 Bantam roadster as well as his Stock '69 Camaro.

“David Rampy is a highly respected winner,” said Racers Edge owner Rodger Brogdon. “He’s won over 70 national events in five different categories and is both respected and feared by his fellow competitors. To be able to include David in the launch of The Racers Edge promotion is an honor. With David joining forces with Lee Sharp and Sharp Motorsports this year, we are excited to be onboard with both gentlemen and look forward to the potential for two championships in 2010.

“We’re excited to be able to bring The Racers Edge pain and performance chips to our friends in drag racing,” Brogdon continued, “and we have a lot of exciting events planned for 2010. Signing David Rampy is our first step, but we know that we’ve only just begun. This is going to be an exciting year for us and everyone that tries The Racers Edge chips.”

The Racers Edge chips, roughly half the size of a standard postage stamp, offer energy, stamina, and pain management for athletes.
 

Second-generation driver Megan Meyer, daughter of Top Alcohol Dragster world-championship-winning team owner, crew chief, and driver Randy Meyer, will move to the Super Comp ranks this season after seven years behind the wheel of her Jr. Dragster. She will attend the Super Comp class at Frank Hawley's NHRA Drag Racing School March 16-17 at Gainesville Raceway.
 
Although 16-year-old Meyer is still a couple of years from competing at an NHRA national event (the age minimum is 18), Meyer will get her feet wet at NHRA divisional events and local track events in Kansas in the next few years. Eventually, she hopes to slide into the driver's seat of her dad's A/Fuel Dragster.
 
"I am just incredibly excited to have the opportunity to race and pilot such a beautiful and amazing Super Comp dragster," she said. "With the help of my family, friends, and sponsors, I will hopefully have a successful launch with it. I am most excited about attending Frank Hawley's school and learning new information about drag racing. With a bit of luck, you will see me in the winner's circle soon!"

Ashley Force Hood, the first woman to win drag racing’s most important Funny Car event and one of America’s most popular drivers, will be the Newsmaker of the Week on The Race Reporters radio show, Wednesday, March 17, at 7 p.m. EDT on www.PowerUpChannel.com.  This will be Force Hood’s second appearance on The Race Reporters.

Host Michael Knight will be joined for the journalists’ roundtable by Holly Cain, of AOL Online Sports and AOL Fanhouse; and Corinne Economaki, president and publisher of National Speed Sport News.

The Race Reporters can be heard live, downloaded to an iPod, or accessed for listening on a delayed basis by clicking on the show icon at www.PowerUpChannel.com. Listeners can bookmark the show and sign up to receive a free e-card with news on upcoming guests at the show’s home page, www.voiceamerica.com/voiceamerica/vshow.aspx?sid=1549 . The show reairs several times later in the week (check PowerUp’s daily programming listing).