The 55th NAPA Ignitor at Firebird Raceway marked Idaho’s first 2026 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series Nitro Funny Car event, drawing the sport’s elite racers to Boise. Established in 1971, the Ignitor has evolved into a hallmark of drag racing, showcasing legendary drivers like Don Prudhomme. This year, Canadian Nathan Sitko led qualifications with a powerful 5.539-second run at 259.86 MPH in the Bubble-Up Firebird, closely followed by Shane Westerfield in the Bardahl Camaro with a 5.543 ET at 263.20 MPH.

Tim Boychuk made a notable return with his new Happy Hour Barracuda, setting a track record Top Speed of 264.70 MPH. In her debut, rookie Eily Stafford qualified fourth with a 5.636 ET at 258.62 MPH, showcasing substantial improvements in 60-foot times. Other competitors included Derrick Moreira and Todd Plate, who qualified fifth and sixth, respectively.

Given the weather conditions, which included low temperatures and high winds, Sunday eliminations were adjusted to a 660-foot format. A noteworthy mention was the withdrawal of the Bartone & Lebor Mustang after its test session. With fierce competition evident, the final round results are eagerly awaited as the event concludes. The Ignitor continues to uphold its legacy in the annals of drag racing history.



Source: bangshift.com