Words by Steven Bunker
Photos by Brian Losness and Steven Bunker
Video by Les Mayhew

West Coast Outlaw Pro Mod Association cars and stars delivered the “goods” for fast doorslammer fans at the 40th annual Nightfire Nationals at Firebird Raceway in Boise, Idaho. Those fans not only saw great Pro Mod racing but were treated to the first five-second doorslammer pass at the historic track.  Eleven of the West Coast’s baddest Pro Mod cars showed up to try and make the eight-car qualified show and once again laid down record-setting performances all weekend.

The combination of blazing heat and 5,000+ feet corrected altitude led most racers and fans to not expect great numbers from the Pro Mods but they were pleasantly surprised by the record speeds and Elapsed Times they saw from the doorslammers.

The existing track record ET set last year by Bret Williamson at 6.09 seconds appeared to be safe. After two qualifying sessions on Friday Rod Burbage held the top qualifying spot with a 6.11 and the 8-car bump spot was a 6.73 but there was still more qualifying to come.

On Saturday Rod Burbage was the first to make a big run when he went 6.07 to reset the track record. Following right behind him was Mike Maggio, who equaled the old track record with a 6.09 timing. The pair was followed in  qualifying by Marc Meadors, Lee Smith, Jay Diedrich, Rob Cacioppo and Billy Harper, who all improved.