Brian Losness photo

Jim Murphy in the WW2 Top Fuel dragster found that the engine needed to be replaced after his Semi-final shut-off bye run, before #1 qualifier Murphy met Brad Thompson in the Firebird Raceway Nightfire Nationals final round.  After a long delay waiting for Murphy’s team to finish the engine change, the two finalists staged, and Thompson in the far lane left on the green light, slightly before Murphy. 

From the starting line it appeared that Thompson had won the race in a shower of sparks as he slammed the right guardwall turning on the win light in the right lane.

Brian Losness photo

According to reports, Brad Thompson’s dragster (right lane) may have blown out the right rear slick at around 1,000 feet causing the racecar to make an abrupt, violent right turn into the guardwall.  The car then bounced off and headed toward the left guardwall, fortunately behind Jim Murphy.

The single car incident found Thompson coming to a stop after the engine roared over and over, with what sounded like the car was rolling and rolling and racing RPM’s, ending up with his cockpit facing the starting line.

Thompson was described as recognizing responders and complaining of pain in his shoulder and arm.  He was transported to the hospital via ambulance for further observation. 

The Final Round win was awarded to Jim Murphy on his 5.991/233.94 mile per hour charge, as Brad Thompson was disqualified

Brian Losness photo

After the long clean-up for the Brad Thompson Top Fuel dragster top end crash the AA/FC final ran at about Midnight.  It was Terry Capp (near lane) in the “Bubble-up” Firebird up against Kris Krabill driving Gary turner’s “Pedaler” Plymouth Arrow… Krabill’s Crew Chief Cory Lee had run very consistent ET’s all day of eliminations with 5.965, 5.964 and a 6.045 in the semi taking out Mike Halstead.  Capp had run a 6.043 in the Semi-final round with Crew Chief Roland Leong, giving Capp lane choice.

Terry Capp left first, just ahead of the green bulb (-.108) handing the win to Krabill who motored on for the win with another solid 6.068 at 228.07 MPH.