Drag Racing Online: The Magazine

Two hundred fifteen of the best drag boats in North America, perfect weather, and record crowds converged on Firebird Raceway in Chandler, AZ, for the 2006 running of the Lucas Oil IHBA Coors Light World Finals.

After Thursday’s busy Test ‘n Tune sessions, the IHBA racers readied for Friday and Saturday’s qualifying sessions.

Dale Ishimaru (left) in Eddie Knox’s “Bad Boy” energy drink top fueler wrapped up the World Championship in fine style with a number one qualifying 4.77 shot.

Pro Mods and Top Alcohol Hydros on the rope. The Top Alcohol Hydro class ended with a record 5.59-second bump, and 31 Pro Mods took to the water, with over 20 of them running 7.0’s in the 7.00 breakout class.  

The final day of the 2006 Coors Light World Finals was a mirror image of the previous three days, as another record crowd enjoyed mid-70-degree temperatures and a light, cool breeze. Top Fuel kicked off with defending event champion Doug “the Rooster” Verstuyft locking in a great side by side 4-second duel with Rex Childers and “Whiskey River II,” with the “Nitro Chicken” (above) prevailing with a 4.91 to 4.99 decision.