FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hentges upsets champ, orders belt buckle

BOISE, Idaho - Federal Way, Wash.'s Mark Hentges pulled off the biggest upset of the 30th annual Auto Parts 'N Stuff Ignitor at Firebird Raceway in Boise, Idaho, when he stopped Rick Santos in the final round of Federal-Mogul Dragster.

Facing the three-time defending World Champion from Brentwood, Calif., Hentges left the starting line even with Santos and eased ahead ever so slightly as the two dragsters thundered downtrack at the first race of the 2000 NHRA Northwest Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series. At the finish line Hentges crossed the stripe seven hundredths of a second ahead of his rival to claim the win. Back on the starting line Hengtes' wife, Lezlee, and the Airtime Aviation crew jumped with joy as their driver won the race.

"Can you believe it?" asked Hentges. "I've joined the 'I've beaten Rick Santos Club.' There aren't too many people in that club. I need to go and get myself a big old belt buckle made that says I'm a member!"

Said Santos, who has lost only two individual heat races since August 1999 for a combined 35-2 win-loss record, "The car shook the [rear] tires real bad away from the starting line and when I punched 2nd gear I saw him nose into the lead. Right then I knew it would be difficult to catch him."

"This has been a career year already for us," enthused Hentges, who has appeared in four final rounds in 2000, the win at Firebird Raceway being his first victory of the year. "The car was consistent all weekend [recording five runs between 5.67 seconds and 5.61 seconds]. I think we've got a real shot at the NHRA Northwest title now."

Gladstone, Ore.'s Dan McGlone claimed the Federal-Mogul Funny Car title over Russ Parker of Salem, Ore. Ralph Van Paepeghem gave local fans plenty to cheer about. The Boise resident defeated Eugene, Ore.'s Brian Hyerstay for the Competition Eliminator title.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Firebird Raceway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER 
Quarterfinals 
1) Rick Santos, Brentwood, Calif., 11.205 seconds, 69.32 mph, bye run 
2) Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.675, 247.86 def.
 7) Jaren Mott, Salt Lake City, Utah, 6.410, 172.01 
3) Dale Carlson, Olympia, Wash., 6.025, 234.86 def. 
6) Ben Morgan, Idaho Springs, Colo., no show 
4) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.657, 246.30 def. 
5) Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Ore., 5.828, 240.64

Semifinals 
Santos, 5.569, 249.03 def. Shields, 8.290, 104.38 
Hentges, 5.615, 249.72 def. Carlson, 5.679, 249.79

Final 
Hentges, 5.615, 248.75 def. Santos, 5.688, 248.96

 FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
Quarterfinals 
1) Dan McGlone, Gladstone, Ore., '99 Camaro, 6.015 seconds, 231.89 mph, bye run 

2) Russ Parker, Salem, Ore., '97 Firebird, 5.967, 238.09 def. 
7) Jett Field, Pocatello, Idaho, '98 Avenger, 11.764, 72.27 

3) John Hyland, Springfield, Ore., '00 Camaro, 6.068, 234.61 def. 
6) Mitch Myers, Hermiston, Ore., '99 Camaro, 6.240, 208.81 

4) Roger Bateman, Calgary, Alb., '97 Firebird, 6.225, 237.15 def. 
5) Kerry Moreira, Richfield, Idaho, '92 Cutlass, 12.347, 66.57
6) 
Semifinals 
McGlone, 5.990, 237.21 def. Bateman, broke 
Parker, 6.111, 233.16 def. Hyland, 6.419, 182.59

Final 
McGlone, 5.926, 238.41 def. Parker, 6.193, 228.94

 COMPETITION 
Ralph Van Paepeghem, Boise, Idaho, A/EA '32 Bantam, 7.934, 151.41 def. 
Brian Hyerstay, Eugene, Ore., G/D dragster, 10.439, 85.49 (foul start)

SUPER STOCK 
Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., GT/GA '89 Camaro, 10.597, 124.94 def. 
John Schiess, North Hills, Calif., GT/BA '91 Calais, 9.791, 135.35

STOCK 
Jody Lang, Puyallup, Wash., N/SA '79 Malibu, 13.144, 99.27 def. 
Chad Loge, Livermore, Calif., I/SA '79 Volare, 12.140, 107.61

SUPER COMP 
Dick VanderMeer, Boise, Idaho, dragster, 9.210, 161.69 def. 
Michael Peck, Woodinville, Wash., dragster, 9.159, 146.69 (broke out)

SUPER GAS 
Rod Hoerner, Spokane, Wash., '63 Corvette, 10.242, 154.13 def. 
Ken Heard, Ridgefield, Wash., '86 Mustang, 10.195, 135.60 (broke out)

SUPER STREET 
Ron Fitzhugh, Foresthill, Calif., '64 Chevrolet II, 11.156, 127.84 def. 
Chet Vandewater, Meridian, Idaho, '65 Chevrolet II, 11.148, 123.89 (foul start)

TOP COMP 
Matt Schoenfield, Magna, Utah, dragster, 8.299, 154.32 def. 
Mark Barnhart, Emmett, Idaho, dragster, 7.778, 170.42

PRO SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE 
Leeland King, Shelton, Wash., '78 Kawasaki, 9.860, 130.79 def. 
Gary Oaks, Las Vegas, Nev., '78 Kawasaki, 10.017, 129.06 (foul start) 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
McGlone, Santos tops at Firebird

BOISE, Idaho - Gladstone, Ore.'s Dan McGlone, and Rick Santos of Brentwood, Calif., are the top qualifiers at the 30th annual Auto Parts 'N Stuff Ignitor at Firebird Raceway.

McGlone shocked the Federal-Mogul Funny Car troops with a pole-setting 5.96-second run at 232.79 mph, good to dislodge early performance leader Russ Parker of Salem, Ore.

"We had been creeping up on the performance all weekend," explained McGlone, who got progressively quicker throughout qualifying, recording laps of 6.21 seconds, 6.11 seconds, and finally 5.96 seconds. "The first run [Friday] wasn't great; this morning I drove the car like a team owner rather than a driver, I was too cautious; the last run it all came together."

McGlone speculated the 5.96-second run could have been quicker. "I short-shifted 2nd gear by about 900 rpm, so I'm sure we could have gone quicker. But I'll take it. We've changed so many things on the car over the winter I'm just happy to get it down the track."

McGlone will face either Calgary, Alb.'s Roger Bateman or Richfield, Idaho's Kerry Moreira in the semifinals.

Three-time reigning Federal-Mogul Dragster World Champion Santos reset the Firebird Raceway track record late Saturday afternoon with a 5.550-second lap. The California-based driver holds a slim performance advantage over second-placed Mark Hentges of Federal Way, Wash., whom recorded a 5.62-second run.

The Ignitor, the opening round of the 2000 NHRA Northwest Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series, will continue Sunday with final eliminations beginning at 9:00 a.m.

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Firebird Raceway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Rick Santos, Brentwood, Calif., 5.550 seconds, 252.10 miles per hour
2. Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.626, 250.20
3. Dale Carlson, Olympia, Wash., 5.683, 246.10
4. Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.757, 241.48
5. Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Ore., 5.892, 240.19
6. Ben Morgan, Idaho Springs, Colo., 8.964, 145.02
7. Jaren Mott, Salt Lake City, Utah, 32.000, nsr

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Dan McGlone, Gladstone, Ore., '99 Camaro, 5.960 seconds, 233.10 miles per hour
2. Russ Parker, Salem, Ore., '97 Firebird, 5.980, 235.72
3. John Hyland, Springfield, Ore., '00 Camaro, 6.034, 235.66
4. Roger Bateman, Calgary, Alb., '97 Firebird, 6.176, 232.31
5. Kerry Moreira, Richfield, Idaho, '92 Cutlass, 6.232, 232.07
6. Mitch Myers, Hermiston, Ore., '99 Camaro, 6.234, 231.95
7. Jett Field, Pocatello, Idaho, '98 Avenger, 6.340, 209.69

COMPETITION
1. Brian Hyerstay, Eugene, Ore., G/D dragster, 9.588 seconds (-.712)
2. Jim Warter, Fox Island, Wash., B/SM '92 Camaro, 9.021 (-0.579)
3. Jeff Lane, North Bend, Wash., B/SR '34 Chevrolet, 8.407 (-0.573)
4. John Edwards, Claremont, Calif., C/EA '96 Avenger, 8.555 (-0.555)
5. Bruce Perkin, Maple Ridge, B.C., B/SM '87 Trans Am, 9.066 (-0.534)
6. Ralph Van Paepeghem, Boise, Idaho, A/EA '32 Bantam, 7.843 (-0.487)
7. Harvey From, Regina, Sask., J/A '23-T Ford, 8.725 (-0.245)
8. Mike Cherry, Hermiston, Ore., E/A '81 Monza, 9.005 (-0.105)
9. Larry Joslin, Pocatello, Idaho, C/SM '82 Camaro, 10.022 (0.052)
10. Mike Pessemier, Graham, Wash., B/D dragster, 8.247 (0.587)

SUPER STOCK
1. Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., GT/TD '98 Dakota, 10.879 (-1.261)
2. Ritch Ahrens, Greeley, Colo., GT/EA '87 Firebird, 10.101 (-1.209)
3. Gary McGlasson, Los Lunas, N.M., SS/HA '69 Camaro, 10.085 (-1.175)
4. John Schiess, North Hills, Calif., GT/BA '91 Calais, 9.824 (-1.076)
5. Randy Hopkins, Scandia, Minn., SS/AA '68 Dart, 9.281 (-1.049)
6. Terry Sherrill, Klamath Falls, Ore., SS/AM '57 Corvette, 8.822 (1.048)
7. Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., GT/GA '89 Camaro, 10.581 (-0.989)
8. Byron Setters, Red Deer, Alb., GT/DA '94 Camaro, 10.216 (-0.944)
9. Don Thomas, Spruce Grove, Alb., GT/DA '89 Camaro, 10.231 (-0.929)
10. Tom Nolan, Lacombe, Alb., SS/HA '67 Camaro, 10.335 (-0.925)

Others include:
21. George Phillips, Boise, Idaho, SS/HA '67 Camaro, 10.527 (-0.771)
22. Gale Sasser, Meridian, Idaho, SS/HA '66 Chevrolet II, 10.550 (-0.710)
24. Dan Barton, Courd Alene, Idaho, GT/AA '81 Cutlass, 10.068 (-0.682)
25. Butch Walsh, Idaho Falls, Idaho, SS/HA '67 Camaro, 10.633 (-0.627)
28. Terry Anderson, Meridian, Idaho, SS/H '67 Nova, 10.742 (-0.368)

STOCK
1. Calvin Queahpama, Portland, Ore., T/SA '65 Chevrolet, 13.946 (-1.344)
2. Joe Aluise, Laurel, Md., A/SA '63 Belvedere, 10.385 (-1.295)
3. Chuck Rayburn, Castro Valley, Calif., B/SA '70 Challenger, 10.641
(-1.289)
4. Adam Bowdish, Lake Oswego, Ore., P/SA '66 Chevrolet, 12.949 (-1.261)
5. Bobby DeArmond, Gallup, N.M., A/SA '69 Camaro, 10.437 (-1.243)
6. Marka Gallina, Las Vegas, Nev., L/SA '84 Regal, 12.188 (-1.242)
7. Fred Deuchar, Brush Prairie, Wash., K/S '65 Malibu, 12.042 (-1.238)
8. Sean Cour, Brush Prairie, Wash., E/SA '97 Camaro, 11.171 (-1.229)
9. Travis Gusso, Sioux Falls, S.D., M/S '88 Mustang, 12.382 (-1.208)
10. Robert Pond, Riverside, Calif., A/S '67 Fairlane, 10.428 (-1.192)

Others include:
11. Rob Youngblood, Nampa, Idaho, D/S '71 Mustang, 11.052 (-1.138)
22. Jackie Alley, Eagle, Idaho, F/SA '69 Camaro, 11.620 (-0.930)
26. Aldon Miller, Idaho Falls, Idaho, C/SA '68 Mustang, 11.217 (-0.873)
36. Mick Alley, Eagle, Idaho, F/SA '71 Chevrolet, 11.815 (-0.735)
42. Steve Larsen, Pocatello, Idaho, F/SA '72 Cutlass, 11.977 (-0.573)
44. Gary McCoy, Eagle, Idaho, F/S '70 Plymouth, 12.080 (-0.420)
49. Al Steinmetz, Chubbuck, Idaho, F/SA '72 Oldsmobile, 12.176 (-0.374)
50. Carl Downard, Boise, Idaho, I/S '75 Corvette, 12.764 (-0.156)
53. Terry Hembree, Ammon, Idaho, F/SA '69 Camaro, 12.864 (0.314)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

World champ shows Firebird why he is no.1
BOISE, Idaho - A collective groan rippled through the Firebird Raceway pit area when the Oakwood Homes tractor-trailer unit of reigning Federal-Mogul Dragster World Champion Rick Santos pulled into the garage area.

Santos of Brentwood (near San Francisco), Calif., has been all but unbeatable for almost three years as his three consecutive World titles attest. His most recent incredible win-loss streak was stopped last weekend at 33-0 when a supercharger burst panel failed in the semifinals at Las Vegas Speedway, handing Santos his first loss since August 1999.

So when Santos unleashed a 5.576-second run Friday afternoon, good for the provisional pole position at the Auto Parts 'N Stuff Ignitor, no one was too surprised, only the driver himself. "For the first run of the weekend it wasn't that bad, better than I thought it would be," said Santos, who will receive two more qualifying runs Saturday.

"I'm not sure how much quicker we can go; that run was right on the edge. Although the car ran straight it was [spinning] the rear tires all the way downtrack, so we're going to have to be careful we don't get crazy and throw away a run."

The provisional pole sitter in Federal-Mogul Funny Car has a little more to worry about other than not getting too aggressive with the engine's tune up. Salem, Ore.'s Russ Parker snatched the provisional No. 1 qualifying position with a 5.980-second run then ran off the end of the track when the car's parachutes didn't open.

"This is a new car and the [parachute release] lever is located in a slightly different place to my old car," explained Parker. "When I reached for the lever I knocked it backward instead of forward and I knew right then I was in trouble."

With the Funny Car traveling at more than 230 mph Parker reached across his body to release the lever with his left hand, couldn't, and decided to take the ride into the field at the end of the track.

"The damage isn't too bad," said Parker, surveying his battered Dodge Avenger body back in the pit area. "It's tore the lip off the front and we won't be able to fix that until we get back home. Fortunately, we've got last year's [Pontiac Firebird] body in the trailer and we'll be ready to roll Saturday."

The 30th annual Ignitor, the first event of the 2000 NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Northwest Division Series continues Saturday with the Federal-Mogul Dragsters and Funny Cars receiving two more qualifying laps, at 12 noon and 4:00 p.m.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Firebird Raceway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Rick Santos, Brentwood, Calif., 5.576 seconds, 248.89 miles per hour
2. Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.828, 241.15
3. Dale Carlson, Olympia, Wash., 6.807, 142.69
4. Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Ore., 8.389, 103.16
5. Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 8.515, 100.95


FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Russ Parker, Salem, Ore., '00 Avenger, 5.980 seconds, 233.40 miles per hour
2. John Hyland, Springfield, Ore., '00 Camaro, 6.103, 232.37
3. Dan McGlone, Gladstone, Ore., '99 Camaro, 6.219, 201.56
4. Roger Bateman, Calgary, Alb., '97 Firebird, 6.565, 223.04
5. Kerry Moreira, Richfield, Idaho, '92 Cutlass, 8.282, 114.25
6. Mitch Myers, Hermiston, Ore., '99 Camaro, 16.637, 52.12

COMPETITION
1. Brian Hyerstay, Eugene, Ore., G/D dragster, 9.706 seconds (-.594)
2. Jim Warter, Fox Island, Wash., B/SM '92 Camaro, 9.021 (-0.579)
3. John Edwards, Claremont, Calif., C/EA '96 Avenger, 8.579 (-0.531)
4. Bruce Perkin, Maple Ridge, B.C., B/SM '87 Trans Am, 9.105 (-0.495)
5. Ralph Van Paepeghem, Boise, Idaho, A/EA '32 Bantam, 7.853 (-0.477)
6. Jeff Lane, North Bend, Wash., B/SR '34 Chevrolet, 8.637 (-0.343)
7. Harvey From, Regina, Sask., J/A '23-T Ford, 8.725 (-0.245)
8. Mike Cherry, Hermiston, Ore., E/A '81 Monza, 9.005 (-0.105)
9. Mike Pessemier, Graham, Wash., B/D dragster, 8.247 (0.587)
10. Larry Joslin, Pocatello, Idaho, C/SM '82 Camaro, 16.932 (6.962)

SUPER STOCK
1. Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., GT/TD '98 Dakota, 10.986 (-1.154)
2. Gary McGlasson, Los Lunas, N.M., SS/HA '69 Camaro, 10.120 (-1.140)
3. Ritch Ahrens, Greeley, Colo., GT/EA '87 Firebird, 10.170 (-1.140)
4. John Schiess, North Hills, Calif., GT/BA '91 Calais, 9.836 (-1.064)
5. Terry Sherrill, Klamath Falls, Ore., SS/AM '57 Corvette, 8.822 (1.048)
6. Randy Hopkins, Scandia, Minn., SS/AA '68 Dart, 9.387 (-0.943)
7. Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., GT/GA '89 Camaro, 10.634 (-0.936)
8. Byron Setters, Red Deer, Alb., GT/DA '94 Camaro, 10.239 (-0.921)
9. Don Thomas, Spruce Grove, Alb., GT/DA '89 Camaro, 10.322 (-0.838)
10. Tom Nolan, Lacombe, Alb., SS/HA '67 Camaro, 10.424 (-0.836)

Others include:
20. Gale Sasser, Meridian, Idaho, SS/HA '66 Chevrolet II, 10.550 (-0.710)
21. Dan Barton, Courd Alene, Idaho, GT/AA '81 Cutlass, 10.068 (-0.682)
26. Terry Anderson, Meridian, Idaho, SS/H '67 Nova, 10.820 (-0.290)

STOCK
1. Calvin Queahpama, Portland, Ore., T/SA '65 Chevrolet, 13.955 (-1.335)
2. Chuck Rayburn, Castro Valley, Calif., B/SA '70 Challenger, 10.684 (-1.246)
3. Marka Gallina, Las Vegas, Nev., L/SA '84 Regal, 12.188 (-1.242)
4. Bobby DeArmond, Gallup, N.M., A/SA '69 Camaro, 10.470 (-1.210)
5. Joe Aluise, Laurel, Md., A/SA '63 Belvedere, 10.487 (-1.193)
6. Adam Bowdish, Lake Oswego, Ore., P/SA '66 Chevrolet, 13.028 (-1.182)
7. Robert Pond, Riverside, Calif., A/S '67 Fairlane, 10.450 (-1.170)
8. Sean Cour, Brush Prairie, Wash., E/SA '97 Camaro, 11.246 (-1.154)
9. Travis Gusso, Sioux Falls, S.D., M/S '88 Mustang, 12.497 (-1.093)
10. Rob Youngblood, Nampa, Idaho, D/S '71 Mustang, 11.100 (-1.090)

Others include:
24. Jackie Alley, Eagle, Idaho, F/SA '69 Camaro, 11.752 (-0.798)
37. Steve Larsen, Pocatello, Idaho, F/SA '72 Cutlass, 12.087 (-0.463)
40. Al Steinmetz, Chubbuck, Idaho, F/SA '72 Oldsmobile, 12.228 (-0.322)
42. Gary McCoy, Eagle, Idaho, F/S '70 Plymouth, 12.232 (-0.268)
45. Carl Downard, Boise, Idaho, I/S '75 Corvette, 12.764 (-0.156)
48. Terry Hembree, Ammon, Idaho, F/SA '69 Camaro, 13.044 (0.494)