Leader in Unlimited Class at Rocky Mountain Race Week 1.0 Faces Tall Task for Final Two Days
This 1985 Pontiac Firebird known as “The Meltdown Firebird” came into the 2023 Rocky Mountain Race Week as a favorite to claim not only the Unlimited class win, but also the overall win as well.
Now, Jason Hurley faces a tall task to complete his week and capture both victories on RMRW.
Jason came into the event with some big changes to the Firebird, including a brand new engine combination, carbon fiber rear hatch and wing, and a front-mounted fuel cell for the switch to methanol.
He stated his 2023 goals were to run well into the 6-second range at over 200 mph, but knew the challenge to drive nearly 1200 miles and accomplish his goals was a sizable one.
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The Meltdown Firebird opened RMRW with a 7.30 at 191 mph at Kearney Raceway Park in Nebraska. After a drive day to Colorado and Bandimere Speedway, Jason collected an 8.07 at 187 mph time slip in the near 9000-foot density altitude (DA) conditions on the second day of racing action.
After the drive to the next track, Pueblo Motorsports Park, Jason clocked a 7.41 at 193 mph on day three, and backed it up with a 7.46 at 189 mph on the fourth day of racing.
This gives Jason a 7.56 average, the lead in the Unlimited class, as well as the overall event lead.
All that stands between Jason and his second-straight Unlimited class win is a 425-mile drive back to Kearney Raceway Park, and staging the car to secure the victory.
But that task got a little harder following Jason’s final race day at Pueblo Motorsports Park.
The Firebird’s big block Chevrolet engine munched a piston, and without a spare to swap, Jason faced the grim reality of not being able to complete.
He put out a call for help over Facebook, looking for a complete big block to get him back to Nebraska.
As of Thursday morning, the call for help has been answered, with a replacement engine coming to Jason’s aid. If he makes the swap, completes the drive and stages the Firebird in time at Kearney Raceway Park on Friday June 30th, he’ll successfully defend his class win.
It’s likely however, that Jason would not have as good of a chance to defend his shootout win in the Fast As F*** 8-car field, although he will certainly qualify for it / could compete in it.
The final day’s action will play out today on the BangShift website: BangShift.com ROCKY MOUNTAIN RACE WEEK RACING ACTION ALL WEEK LONG! - BangShift.com
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of 1320 Video and Jason Hurley.
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