Funny Car

Ten floppers made the trip to Idaho. The plastic fantastic had prior experience in Idaho, as they were part of the Division 6 points race held in May. In the spring the floppers had to deal with very mild temperatures, but a very stiff headwind that may have proved beneficial to the cars for downforce.

The first session saw the “California Hustler” Trans Am driven by Cory Lee on the point at 5.77/249.81. Behind him was the quiet assassin, Tim Boychuk. Boychuk and crew chief Twig Ziegler have been on a tear as of late. Fellow Canadian Ryan Hodgson was third, followed by reigning Champion Steven Densham. Current point’s leader and soon to be new father “Hollywood” Kris Krabill was fifth, then came Richard Townsend. The Ignitor feel-good story, Wally Giavia, was seventh and Utah racer Scott Stanger rounded out the eight-car field.

On the outside looking in was former champion Dan Horan. Horan made a test hit on Thursday, and on his Q1 run never got past the Christmas tree before smoking the tires. During post-run maintenance the team discovered that the lower frame rail on the right side of the car had a huge crack in it. This necessitated the car be stripped down to the bare chassis, finding someone with a TIG welder and someone who could operate it to facilitate the repairs. In steps Richard Townsend, and by 10 a.m. Saturday the car was repaired and the team was reassembling the car.

Cory Lee

As qualifying continued into sessions two and three, it was apparent that Lee’s ride tuned by Ronny Swearingen was the most consistent car on the property, running bracket car numbers of 5.776, 5.774 and 5.786 in Q3.

Following Lee in the final order, it was Densham, Boychuk, Hodgson, Krabill, Horan, Townsend, and Stanger. On the outside looking in were Wally Giavia and Jon Rice.

Fuel Altereds

Seven Fuel Altered teams came to Idaho, for this year’s running of the Nightfires. Based on a 6-second index, the cars are not allowed to run any fast than 6-flat or the run is disallowed. This means either teams are trying to slow their cars down or they pick a spot on the track and shut the car off upon reaching that designated point hoping for a good time close to a 6.0-second time slip.

After three sessions, it was a family affair at the top of the leaderboard as Dan Hix took the number one position at 6.02/240.64 followed by his uncle’s car driven by Todd Miller at 6.08/227.43. Third was Keith Wilson and his “Witch Doctor” 6.13/180.14 (who shuts off early) and Jim Holtz was number four. Last year’s winner, Jeremy Sullivan, was number five followed by Shawn Callen in his “High Heaven” Altered which is based on the Jackson Brothers car.

Rounding out the field was James Valencia in the “Nitro Mas” entry.