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SCHEDULE CHANGE

Friday Pro qualifying at the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals will now start at 1 p.m. ET [Full Friday schedule]

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Todd Plate sweeps 55th annual NAPA Ignitor Nitro Opener

Todd Plate drove the Eddie Knox-owned “Problem Child” Camaro to his first major event victory to victory at the 55th Annual NAPA Ignitor presented by The Blower Shop at Firebird Raceway.
18 May 2026
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Todd Plate

The 55th Annual NAPA Ignitor presented by The Blower Shop featured the second stop in the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series for the AA/Funny Car division at Firebird Raceway.

Final qualifying included: 1. Nathan Sitko (5.53), 2. Shane Westerfield (5.54), 3. Tim Boychuk (5.63, 264.70 mph – new track speed record), 4. Eily Stafford (5.63), 5. Derrick Moreira (5.65), 6. Todd Plate (5.66), 7. Michael Peck (5.67), 8. Jerry Espeseth (5.82).

Due to cold temperatures and 30-40 mph winds that rolled into Idaho’s Treasure Valley foothills, eliminations were contested on the eighth-mile.

Opening round action saw Moreira edge Stafford 3.78 to 3.79. Plate defeated Boychuk 3.72 to 3.78, while Espeseth upset top qualifier Sitko 3.81 to 3.84. Westerfield advanced over Michael Peck with 3.77, but suffered a violent mid-track engine explosion that destroyed the Austin & O’Brien Camaro body and sidelined the team for the remainder of eliminations.

In the semi-finals, Plate advanced on a single run to the final, while Espeseth used a holeshot advantage to defeat Moreira, 3.76 to 3.74.

The final round saw Plate drive the Eddie Knox-owned “Problem Child” Camaro to his first major event victory at Firebird Raceway, running 3.81 at 203.09 mph. Espeseth redlit with a -.080 light, finishing at 3.74 - 191.43 mph.