FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hentges and Austin take wins at Ignitor opener

BOISE, Idaho - Mark Hentges and Bucky Austin both took home their third wins of the season at this weekend's 31st Annual Ignitor Opener presented by Lithia Ford Chrysler and NAPA Auto Parts. Hentges took out Greg Lawrence in the final round with a 5.522-second pass at 252.38 mph to Lawrence's 5.601, 258.62. Hentges badly damaged a motor in Friday's qualifying then came back to take the number one qualifying position and the win.

"What a great Easter!" said Hentges after the win. "Boise is good to me. The semifinal against Mike (Johnson) and Brian (Hough) was a big one this weekend. Those two are going to be around a lot this year."

This is Hentges' sixth final round this year and his third win at Firebird dating back to 1991 when in won in Super Comp.

In the upset of the day, and possibly the year, Gregg Lawrence of Salem, Ore., took out Federal-Mogul Dragster National Champion Rick Santos in round one. Lawrence's .491 second reaction was the difference as his 5.480-second, 262.77 mph run took out Santos, who ran quicker at 5.464, 259.29.

Austin took out veteran racer and team owner, Larry Miner, in the final of Federal-Mogul Funny Car with a pass of 5.975 seconds, 240.25 mph to Minor's 6.165 at 237.46 mph. The win should move Austin into the points lead for the national championship.

With back-to-back five-second passes, Mac McCord had the fans on their feet as he took the overall win in the Nitro class, beating out Ron Fassl with a pass of 5.940 at 231.71 mph. Fassl, however, did not go away emptyhanded, as he set a new track and personal record on Saturday with a run of 272.64 mph. The old AA Fuel Altered record, held by Fassl, was set in August of last year.

Eighteen national records were set this weekend between the Comp., Super Stock, and Stock categories along with numerous track records. The most notable record was in the Stock category when Robert Pond drove his '67 Fairlane to the first ever nine-second run. NHRA times and records are adjusted for the air and altitude and with Pond's run of 10.229 seconds, Pond becomes the first driver to break the 10-second barrier in the A/Stock category.

Moments after Pond's run, Joe Aluise Jr. ran a 10.266 in his A/Stock Automatic '63 Belvedere. NHRA requires a driver to back up a run, with a second run within one percent of the first. Aluise beat Pond to the "9-second" record by backing up his run first, hence, setting the first 9-second NHRA National Record in Stock.

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

FEDERAL-MOUGL DRAGSTER 
Round 1
1.Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.466 seconds, 259.44 mph vs. bye 

5. Gregg Lawrence, Salem, Ore., 5.480, 262.77 def. 
2. Rick Santos, Brentwood, Calif., 5.464, 259.29

3. Brian Hough, Eugene, Ore. 5.517, 257.95 def. 
4. Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Ore., 5.704, 249.03

Round 2
Hentges, 5.519, 257.43 def. Hough, 5.545, 256.99
Lawrence, 5.518, 260.41 def. Bye

Final
Hentges, 5.522, 252.38 def. Lawrence, 5.601, 258.62
 
FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
1. Bucky Austin, Fife, Wash., '00 Camaro, 5.902 seconds, 240.77 miles per hour def. 
8. Kerry Moreira, Richfield, Idaho, '96 Firebird, no time-broke

2. John Hyland, Springfield, Ore., '00 Camaro, 6.052, 226.81 def.
7. Jon Rice, Pocatello, Idaho, '98 Camaro, no time-broke

3. Larry Miner, Woodbridge, Calif., '98 Dodge, 6.246, 205.99 def. 
6. Kevin Therres, Humbolt, SK CAN, '97 Lumina, 6.742, 158.59

4. Roger Bateman, Calgary, AB CAN, '97 Firebird, 6.202, 231.95,  def. 
5. Randy Parker, Payallup, Wash., '99 Avenger, 6.213, 228.83

Round 2
Austin, 5.879, 240.89 def. Bye
Minor, 7.768, 103.59 def. Hyland, broke

Final
Austin, 5.975, 240.25 def. Minor, 6.165, 237.46

COMPETITION
Adam Bowdish, Lake Oswego, Ore., '89 Firebird, C/SM, 9.334, 139.08 def. 
Jim Warter, Fox Island, Wash., '92 Camaro, B/SM, 8.968, 150.57

SUPER STOCK
Gary Faul, Spanaway, Wash., '66 El Camino, SS/MA, 12.137, 110.06 def. 
Rick Ellinger, Eric, Colo, '66 Nova, SS/IA, 10.509, 126.01

STOCK
Norm Webber, Vancouver, Wash., '83 Chevy, M/SA, 13.181, def.
Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., '70 Plymoth, C/SA, 10.874, 121.65

SUPER COMP
Holly Gaynor, Vancouver, Wash., '94 dragster, 9.192, 150.95 def. 
Kari Theobald, St. George, Utah, '91 dragster, 9.172, 151.20

SUPER GAS
Troy Moyle, Carson City, Nev., '67 Corvette, 10.227, 149.10 def. 
Rodney Lee, Portland, Ore., '64 Fury, 10.167, 136.19 

SUPER STREET
Jeff Jackson, Wilsonville, Ore., '68 Mustang, 11.208, 148.58 def. 
Ron Cross, Springfield, Ore., '67 Camaro, 11.198, 123.05

TOP COMP
Mark Kidd, Twin Falls, Idaho, '96 dragster, 7.986, 162.27 def. 
Greg Pessemier, Tacoma, Wash., '96 dragster, 7.732, 173.51

MOTORCYCLE
Joe Collette, Boise, Idaho, '96 Kawasaki, 9.092, 141.22 def.
Randy Morken, Columbia Falls, Mont., '86 Suzuki, 9.089, 145.39

SUPER PRO
John Shaffer, Boise, Idaho, '66 Chevelle, 9.610, 139.68, def. 
Clay Brooks, Boise, Idaho, '74 Camaro, 9.663, 139.16

PRO
Mark Kidd, Twin Falls, Idaho, '27 roadster, 9.208, 136.48 def.
Jamie Lanningham, Nampa, Idaho, '73 Dart, 12.849, 102.66

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hentges blasts to top of field and track record

BOISE, Idaho - Mark Hentges and Bucky Austin are on top of their fields as Lithia Ford Chrysler and NAPA Auto Parts present the 31st Annual Ignitor Nittro Opener at Firebird Raceway. Hentges drove his Federal-Mogul Dragster to the pole position with a pass of 5.468 seconds at 253.02 mph breaking the track record of 5.550 set by Rick Santos at last year's event.

Hentges dropped a value in yesterday's qualifying attempt destroying his motor which sent the team scrambling to repair the car for today's final qualifying.

"We're real happy with this morning's pass." voiced Hentges. "We had major problems yesturday, but the whole team worked hard and we're back where we want to be for eliminations."

Santos follows in the number two spot with a mark of 5.520 at 225.05 mph followed by Brian Hough in third with a 5.550, 248.20.

In Federal-Mogul Funny Car, it was Austin who leads the field by more than two tenths of a second setting a track elapsed time record with a pass of 5.861 seconds at 241.87 mph. The old record, held by Steve Sommer at 5.880, was set back in May 1999. Austin is looking for his third win of the season to go along with his wins earlier this year at Pomona Raceway and last week in Las Vegas.

John Hyland and Larry Minor follow in the second and third qualifying spots posting runs of 6.074, 229.35 and 6.097 at 239.36 respectively. On his final qualifying attempt, Randy Parker got turned around at about the 300-foot mark and headed for the retaining wall. Parker, of Puyallup, Wash., immediately got out of the gas and was able to straighten the car out and keep it off the wall avoiding what could have been a horrendous crash.

Racing resumes on Sunday at 9 a.m. with Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car scheduled for round one at noon. Gates open at 8 a.m.

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

FEDERAL-MOUGL DRAGSTER 
1. Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.468 seconds, 253.02 mph vs. bye 

2. Rick Santos, Brentwood, Calif., 5.520, 225.05 vs. 
5. Gregg Lawrence, Salem, Ore., 5.728, 253.16

3. Brian Hough, Eugene, Ore. 5.550, 248.20 vs. 
4. Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Ore., 5.728, 253.16

FEDERAL-MOUGL FUNNY CAR
1. Bucky Austin, Fife, Wash., '00 Camaro, 5.861 seconds, 241.87 miles per hour vs. 
8. Kerry Moreira, Richfield, Idaho, '96 Firebird, 9.962, 83.08

2. John Hyland, Springfield, Ore., '00 Camaro, 6.074, 229.35 vs. 
7. Jon Rice, Pocatello, Idaho, '98 Camaro, 7.114, 202.06

3. Larry Miner, Woodbridge, Calif., '98 Dodge, 6.097, 239.36 vs. 
6. Kevin Therres, Humbolt, SK CAN, '97 Lumina, 6.812, 151.79

4. Roger Bateman, Calgary, AB CAN, '97 Firebird, 6.134, 235.41 vs. 
5. Randy Parker, Payallup, Wash., '99 Avenger, 6.152, 226.64

COMPETITION
1. Jim Warter, Fox Island, Wash., '92 Camaro, B/SA, 8.884 seconds, -0.766 under the index
2. Adam Bowdish, Lake Oswego, Ore., '89 Firebird, C/SM, 9.155, -0.725
3. Brian Hyerstay, Eugene, Ore., '00 dragster, G/D, 9.617, -0.693
4. Jeff Lane, Northbend, Wash, '34 roadster, B/SR, 8.299, -0.681
5. Bruce Perkin, Maple Ridge, B.C. CAN, '87 Trans Am, B/SM, 8.973, -0.677
6. Tom Tucker, Bend, Ore., '96 Lumina, F/A, 8.835, -0.615
7. Mike Pessemier, Graham, Wash., '99 dragster, B/D, 7.177, -0.573
8. Clint Sallee, Glendive, Mont., '00 dragster, C/D, 7.262, -0.558
9. Lucky Snyder, Longmont, Colo., '62 Sunbeam, D/A, 8.253, -0.557 
10. Al Bresh, Stonewall Manitoba, CAN, '92 Camaro, F/SM, 9.553, -0.467

SUPER STOCK
1. Michael Ogburn, Mission Viejo, Calif., '68 Cuda, SS/AA, 9.005, -1.325
2. Rod Stults, Marysville, Wash., '64 Chevelle, SS/MA, 11.331, -1.219
3. Dave Rayburn, Modesto, Calif., '68 Dart, SS/AA, 9.136, -1.194
4. Tony Hewes, Reno, Nev. '69 Ford, SS/GA, 10.020, -1.190
5. Gary McGlasson, Los Lunas, N.M., '69 Camaro, SS/IA, 10.206, -1.164
6. Allyn Lee, Red Deer, AB CAN, '68 Barracuda, SS/A, 9.122, -1.158 
7. Abe Loewen, Regina, SK CAN, '98 Pontiac, SS/DM, 9.400, -1.140
8. Curtis Dean, Denver, Colo., '90 Cavalier, SS/AM, 8.732, -1.138
9. Harry Holton, Modesto, Calif., '65 Belvedere, SS/BA, 9.422, -1.118
10. John Gallina, Henderson, Nev., '87 Regal, SS/DX, 8.722, -1.098

STOCK
1. Joe Aluise Jr., Laurel, Md., '63 Belvedere, A/SA, 10.266, -1.414
2. Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., '70 Plymouth, C/SA, 10.688, -1.402
3. Sean Cour, Brush Prairie, Wash., '97 Camaro, F/SA, 11.150, -1.400
4. Robert Pond, Riverside, Calif., '67 Fairlane, A/S, 10.229, -1.391
5. Tommy Gaynor, Vancouver, Wash., '96 Firebird, E/SA, 11.021, -1.379
6. Gary Harper, San Jose, Calif., '81 Dodge, ET/SA, 12.419, -1.371
7. Calvin Queahpama, Portland, Ore., '65 Chevrolet, T/SA, 13.890, -1.300
8. Mary Method, Kennewick, Wash., '70 Nova, B/SA, 10.605, -1.325
9. Travis Gusso, Sioux Falls, S.D., '88 Mustang, N/S, 12.392, -1.298
10. Gene Mosbek, Elk River, Minn., '64 Savoy, A/SA, 10.403, -1.277

TOP COMP
1. Don Harter, E. Wenatchee, Wash., '23 roadster, 7.346, 190.51
2. Rod Langley, Boise, Idaho, '99 dragster, 7.399, 181.56
3. Jeff Devey, Twin Falls, Idaho, '97 roadster, 7.463, 182.74
4. Dennis Fuller, La Grande, Ore., '97 Mustang, 7.472, 184.19
5. Nick Drzayich, Auburn, Wash., '99 Firebird, 7.610, 181.45
6. Bob Miller, LaVerne, Calif., '95 dragster, 7.709, 178.60
7. Greg Pessemier, Tacoma, Wash., '96 dragster, 7.720, 173.53
8. Mark Barnhart, Emmit Idaho, '94 Soran, 7.752, 172.71
9. Bob Israelson, Lynwood, Wash., '69 Camaro, 7.753, 167.34
10. Chub Tucker, Okotoks, AB CAN, '27 roadster, 7.767, 173.74 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Records set to fall at Firebird; Austin, Hough lead fields

BOISE, Idaho - With the first day of qualifying at the 31st Annual Ignitor Nitro Opener presented by Lithia Ford/Chrysler and NAPA Auto Parts in the books, 19 records in the Stock and Super Stock categories are in jeopardy this weekend at Firebird Raceway. The event marks the season opener in the NHRA Northwest Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series and the cold weather translates to perfect conditions for the Stock/Super Stock racers.

Joe Alusie Jr. leads the Stock class in his '63 Belvedere with a pass of 10.266 seconds, and with the NHRA adjusted altitude, he looks to be the first A/Stock Automatic driver to record a nine-second pass. Alusie is currently awaiting technical inspection as well as several other drivers including Robert Pond in his A/Stock '67 Fairlane who also ran an adjusted nine-second pass, also the first ever, just moments before Alusie.

In the Federal-Mogul Dragster category, Brian Hough of Eugene, Ore., leads the field with a pass of 5.575 seconds at 245.56 mph. Hough is followed by four time National Champion Rick Santos with a run of 5.624, 247.79 mph. NHRA Northwest Division Champion Mark Hentges is currently qualified fifth at 5.947 seconds at 189.23 mph.

Bucky Austin, coming off a win at the Summitracing.com Nationals last weekend in Las Vegas, sit on top of the Federal-Mogul Funny Car field clocking in at 5.984 seconds at 233.10 mph. John Hyland and Randy Parker are the number two and three qualifiers, respectively, as Hyland covered the quarter-mile in 6.074 seconds at 229.35 mph while Parker ran a 6.173 at 218.28.

Gates open tomorrow at 8 a.m. with racing scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Federal-Mogul Dragsters and Funny cars are scheduled to make final qualifying runs at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

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

FEDERAL-MOUGL DRAGSTER 
1. Brian Hough, Eugene, Ore. 5.575 seconds, 245.56 mph
2. Rick Santos, Brentwood, Calif., 5.624, 247.79
3. Gregg Lawrence, Salem, Ore., 5.796, 251.18
4. Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Ore., 5.083, 241.48
5. Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.947, 189.23

FEDERAL-MOUGL FUNNY CAR
1. Bucky Austin, Fife, Wash., '00 Camaro, 5.984 seconds, 233.10 miles per hour
2. John Hyland, Springfield, Ore., '00 Camaro, 6.074, 229.35
3. Randy Parker, Payallup, Wash., '99 Avenger, 6.173, 218.28
4. Roger Baeman, Calgary, AB CAN., '97 Firebird, 6.269, 228.94
5. Jon Rice, Pocatello, Idaho, '98 Camaro, 9.953, 76.78
6. Kerry, Moreira, Richfield, Idaho, '96 Firebird, 9.962, 83.08
7. Larry Miner, Woodbridge, Calif., '98 Dodge, 12,445, 70.19

COMPETITION
1. Jim Warter, Fox Island, Wash., '92 Camaro, B/SA, 8.931 seconds, -0.719 under the index
2. Brian Hyerstay, Eugene, Ore., '00 dragster, G/D, 9.617, -0.693
3. Adam Bowdish, Lake Oswego, Ore., '89 Firebird, C/SM, 9.247, -0.633
4. Bruce Perkin, Maple Ridge, B.C. CAN, '87 Trans Am, B/SM, 8.996, -0.654
5. Jeff Lane, Northbend, Wash, '34 roadster, B/SR, 8.353, -0.627
6. Tom Tucker, Bend, Ore., '96 Lumina, F/A, 8.883, -0.567
7. Mike Pessemier, Graham, Wash., '99 dragster, B/D, 7.253, -0.497
8. Al Bresh, Stonewall Manitoba, CAN, '92 Camaro, F/SM, 9.553, -0.467
9. Clint Sallee, Glendive, Mont., '00 dragster, C/D, 7.358, -0.462
10. Maureen Jondahl, Battle Ground, Wash., '92 Firebird, G/AA, 9.497, -0.323

SUPER STOCK
1. Michael Ogburn, Mission Viejo, Calif., '68 Cuda, SS/AA, 9.005, -1.325
2. Gary McGlasson, Los Lunas, N.M., '69 Camaro, SS/IA, 10.206, -1.164
3. Rod Stults, Marysville, Wash., '64 Chevelle, SS/MA, 11.391, -1.159
4. Tony Hewes, Reno, Nev. '69 Ford, SS/GA, 10.057, -1.153
5. Curtis Dean, Denver, Colo., '90 Cavalier, SS/AM, 8.732, -1.138
6. Dave Rayburn, Modesto, Calif., '68 Dart, SS/AA, 9.202, -1.128
7. Harry Holton, Modesto, Calif., '65 Belvedere, SS/BA, 9.422, -1.118
8. Abe Loewen, Regina, SK CAN, '98 Pontiac, SS/DM, 9.435, -1.105
9. Byron Setters, Red Deer, AB CAN, '96 Camaro, GT/DA, 10.068, -1.092
10. Robert Horsley, Fairview, Ore., '96 Firebird, GT/FA, 10.394, -1.076

STOCK
1. Joe Aluise Jr., Laurel, Md., '63 Belvedere, A/SA, 10.266, -1.414
2. Sean Cour, Brush Prairie, Wash., '97 Camaro, F/SA, 11.150, -1.400
3. Robert Pond, Riverside, Calif., '67 Fairlane, A/S, 10.229, -1.391
4. Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., '70 Plymouth, C/SA, 10.718, -1.372
5. Gary Harper, San Jose, Calif., '81 Dodge, ET/SA, 12.419, -1.371
6. Tommy Gaynor, Vancouver, Wash., '96 Firebird, E/SA, 11.030, -1.370
7. Calvin Queahpama, Portland, Ore., '65 Chevrolet, T/SA, 13.890, -1.300
8. Gene Mosbek, Elk River, Minn., '64 Savoy, A/SA, 10.403, -1.277
9. Fred Deuchar, Bruch Prairie, Wash., '65 Malibu, L/S, 12.154, -1.276
10. Don Little, Westly, Calif., '70 Barracuda, A/SA, 10.419, -1.261