Coming off a successful March Meet debut, Marc Meadors and the Goodguys Racing Team loaded up their brand new Nitro burning “Good Times” 1970 Camaro Funny Car and headed to Boise, Idaho for last weekend’s 45th annual Ignitor at Firebird Raceway. The team’s goal? Have fun and log their first sub six-second run.

With a stubborn low pressure system parked over the entire Western U.S., qualifying was reduced to just two Saturday sessions after a complete Friday washout. With 10 teams vying for 8 spots, the pressure was on to “make the show.” Unfazed, Meadors drove the big Camaro right down the groove to qualify with a 6.119 @ 232.71 – good for the 7th spot in Sunday’s eliminations.

With a spot in the field secured, the focus became Sunday’s eliminations. A date with #2 qualifier Kris Krabill awaited the Goodguys Gang in the first round. Overcoming long odds, Meadors improved yet again, getting the first round victory with a 6.118 @ 234 after Krabill fouled out at the start of the race.

The semi-finals brought more opportunity as Meadors locked horns with veteran Roger Garten and his “War Horse” Mustang. After a nearly-even start both cars thundered down track door handle to door handle. At the stripe, Garten got the win with a 5.948 @ 238.60 to Meadors’ 5.985 @ 240.25! Not only was it the closest funny car race of the weekend, the Goodguys Gang rang in their first official 5-second pass in the new Funny Car. Despite the close loss, team members celebrated with hi fives and hugs as the team officially announced their arrival as serious contenders in West Coast Nitro Funny Car circles.

Though nitro rookies, the team has years’ worth of Pro Mod event wins as well as a championship under their belt. “We’re having a blast with the new Funny Car” said Meadors. “Nitro racing is so much more difficult than running the Pro Mod. So many variables. It’s unforgiving. Not only do you have to get everything just right, you’ve got to have racing luck. We’re grateful to crack into the 5-second zone. We’re still learning so much. Later this year we’ll be able to really pour the coals to it and hopefully compete with the best teams out there. There are so many good cars out there!”

The team’s next scheduled appearance is the Good Vibrations “Saturday Night Nitro” race Saturday, June 27th at Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield. Goodguys Racing thanks its generous sponsors Aeromotive, Bunker Motorsports, CP-Carrillo, DJ Safety, Fiber Optic Supply, Goodguys Rod & Custom Association, Livermore Anodizing, Mahle-Clevite, Molinari Race Products, PPG, RacePak, Red Line Oil, Renteria Brothers Custom Shop, Stroppini Enterprises & Teegarden Motorsports.

The Goodguys Racing team is comprised of Marc Meadors, Jason Bunker, Ben Bolyan Jr, Bob Bunker Jr, Steven Bunker, Billy Ferreira, Bill Fox, Penny Atkinson, and Greg Lee. Our next outing will be the Saturday Night Nitro Event at Auto Club Famoso Raceway on June 27^th.