Brian Losness photo

The 37th Annual Pepsi Nightfire Nationals, now part of the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series at Firebird Raceway has grown to be one of those ‘must-attend’ historic drag racing events on the yearly calendar.  Apparently it is also on the list of over 25,000 rabid, cheering, enthusiastic spectators who stayed late into the night - each night to get a strong dose of nitro racecars, nitrous Pro Mods and some of the best regional bracket cars from fifteen states and Canada racing for well funded purses. 

The New family, headed by Bill New knows how to put on a show geared toward non-stop racing action and an extremely fan-friendly welcome for their ticket buyers.  Seventy-five bucks got you inside for four days of racing, with more reasonable pricing at the snack stands.  Firebird Raceway has a low-key atmosphere with the customer’s experience on the mind of every employee I encountered, who’ll also thank you for attending.

Hopefully we have brought you the flavor and enthusiasm of this historic event; it is one of the premier events on the nostalgia drag racing calendar and should now be on your must-attend list for 2009.

Thanks to Brian Losness for his hard work, great photography and late nights… we’ll be back!

Darr Hawthorne photo

Steve Dickerman lines up Ed Dougan in Charlie O’Neill’s “Nitro Psycho” Plymouth Arrow funny car on the Firebird Raceway starting line.  The team had one of their best competition outings since Dougan gained his license at the Heritage Series Las Vegas Speed Spectacular earlier this year. 

Dougan just missed the Nightfire Nationals field and, as first alternate replaced the “Bomb Squad” flopper when it was withdrawn from competition. The “psycho’s” stepped-in to race Steve Romanazzi in the first round, with Dougan winning on a hole shot.  Crew Chief Jason Pettit and fuel system specialist Spike Gorr tuned the AA/FC to a best of 6.241 - making it to the Semi Final round with a loss to eventual event runner-up Terry Capp.

Darr Hawthorne photo

Leah Pruett-LeDuc in the Pruett & Leggett “Dickies Girl” Mustang flopper could only qualify 18th - the second alternate position at the Nightfire Nationals, they sat out Sunday eliminations having run a best of 6.667.

Darr Hawthorne photo

Best appearing crew honors were presented to Mike McCain’s “Bomb Squad” Duster Crew by the staff of Firebird Raceway.  During the final qualifying session on Saturday evening the engine was damaged splitting the fiberglass body, preventing driver Rick Rogers from competing in Sunday eliminations. 

First alternate Ed Dougan in the “Nitro Psycho” Arrow replaced the “Bomb Squad” in the program.

Brian Losness photo

Terry Cox in the beautiful Wilson, Ninnis & Cox “Cheetah IV” Top Fuel Dragster had troubles smoking the tires on this qualifying run and could only muster a best of 6.293 during eliminations in the first round match with Semi-finalist Brett Harris.

Brian Losness photo

It looks as though Steve Romanazzi’s “Warrior” team has turned the corner with their performance at the Nightfire Nationals with new Crew Chief Bob Wellman now handling the tune-up on the ‘77 Firebird AA/FC.  Romo moved up solidly into the top half of the tight field in the Saturday evening qualifying session, nailing the #7 position with his 6.159/224.49 run. 

Although not happy with his starting line performance on raceday during eliminations Romo said, “We’ll have something for them at the Reunion”, the final event in the 2008 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series.

Darr Hawthorne photo

Father Mark Sanders (left) and son Jake the "Snake" are teammates, with the eighteen year old handling the Nitro Crew Chief duties on the “Mr. Explosive” ‘70 Nova AA/FC.  Sanders from Maple Valley, Washington qualified 5th laying down a 6.122 at 234.43 miles per hour. 

In the first round match with Jack Harris, both floppers struck the tires and gave a very entertaining pedaling effort, side by side as they smoked the tires on and off the throttles to the finish line with Harris taking the stripe. 

The Sanders came from sand drags and mud racing, making a very successful transition to the asphalt quarter mile running a solid 5.98/234.37 recently, during the NHRA Canadian National Open at Mission Raceway Park.

Brian Losness photo

"The Sheriff” Jack Harris continues to improve in his “Nitro Thunder” ‘77 Firebird AA/FC with a solid 6.280/229.94 mph during the late Saturday session, going out in the second round on Sunday eliminations to Mike Halstead.

Brian Losness photo

Funny Car pilot Craig Michael nailed his first AA/FC competition round win over a wheelstanding Bucky Austin, Michael completed his licensing earlier this year, he qualified his unique “Vegas Heat” Plymouth Satellite in the #15 position with a Saturday evening 6.469/218.60 pass.

Brian Losness photo

Six members of the 260 Mile Per Hour Club were introduced prior to qualifying on Saturday afternoon at the Boise event.  From left to right the new members of the Club are Jason Richey, Jack Harris, Brett Harris, presenter Don Ewald from WDIFL.com, Brad Thompson, Troy Green and Adam Sorokin.

Brian Losness photo

Adam Sorokin was strong off the trailer in the RB Entertainment Top Fueler leading qualifiers with his 5.840 until being bumped from quickest to the second slot by Jim Murphy.  Sorokin lost in the first round of eliminations to underdog Mike Cross.

Brian Losness photo

Brett Harris returned to the seat of the family’s “Nitro Thunder” Top Fuel Dragster now that Jack Harris has moved over to his Firebird AA/FC.  Brett has not lost anything, qualifying third with his 5.901/252/88 behind Jim Murphy and Adam Sorokin.  Brett made it to the Semi’s where he met eventual runner-up Brad Thompson after defeating Terry Cox in round one and Rick White in the second round.

Brian Losness photo

Troy Green from Purcell, Oklahoma qualified in the middle of the Top Fuel pack driving the High Speed Motorsports entry to a 5.999/227.38 pass with Crew Chief Brett Johansen’s tune-up.  Green was eliminated in the second round running a strong 5.887 to Jim Murphy’s stronger 5.768/258.39 mile per hour charge.

Brian Losness photo

Top Fuel rookie Jerry Kumre Jr. grabbed the open seat of Butch Blair’s “Fugowie” for the Nightfire Nationals Hot Rod Heritage Series event. 

Kumre managed a best of 7.532 for the #12 spot going out to eventual event winner Jim Murphy in the first round.

Brian Losness photo

Jeff Bennett launches the “Pure Heaven IV” Camaro Funny Car during qualifying.  The team hurt a new supercharger and spent much of the weekend chasing their tune-up, but enlisted the help of “Bomb Squad” Crew Chief Donnie Couch for race day.  Bennett qualified in the #13 position with a 6.346, they improved the performance on Sunday with a 6.216 in a losing effort to Mike Halstead.

The team will change to a roadster body for the upcoming Chuy’s Fuel Altered Classic at Famoso Raceway in on September 6.  Co-owner Chris Bennett then heads for active duty in the Air Force in Iraq in mid-September for a five month deployment.

Darr Hawthorne photo

Ed “The Outlaw” Jones in his Jelly Belly Candies-backed “Candyland” Stagecoach puts on a great, fan pleasing show closing out the evening of racing.  Ed’s fire-belching, full quarter mile wheelstander is one of the last of a drag racing breed, he and wife Wendy hail from their hometown of Malad, Idaho.

Darr Hawthorne photo

After a long day of racing the WW2 crew needed to change engines prior to their Final elimination round match against Brad Thompson.

Darr Hawthorne photo

(left to right)

Kris Krabill, driver of Gary Turner’s “Pedaler” Plymouth Arrow, winner of the Nitro Funny Car Eliminator at the Nightfire Nationals.  (middle) Cory Lee, IHRA Nitro Funny Car driver and Crew Chief on the “Pedaler” Plymouth Arrow along with up & coming Crew Chief Jake “the Snake” Sanders who tuned his father’s beautiful “Mr. Explosive” Nova to a #5 qualifier, running 6.122 at 234.43 miles per hour. 

Jake Sanders is 18 years old and referred to by some of the other AA/FC Crew Chiefs as “Doogie Howser”.

Brian Losness photo

Craig Michael (far lane) upset #2 qualifier Bucky Austin in Round one when Austin got the starting line advantage carrying the front wheels of his “Northwest Hitter” Plymouth Arrow with the wheels skyward well past the 60-foot mark.  Austin brought the funny car back to Earth getting out of the throttle as Michael drove his “Vegas Heat” Satellite to the finish line, gaining his first event round win in a flopper.

Brian Losness photo

It could have been 1973 all over again when veterans Twig Zeigler and Terry Capp (near lane) met in Round one AA/FC action of the Nighfire Nationals.  Zeigler grabbed a good starting line advantage, but Crew Chief Roland Leong’s power prevailed in the “Bubble-up” Firebird with a close 6.254 to a 6.379 for the new “Pizza Haven” Satellite. 

It’s great to see a former Northwest funny car match racing power like Twig Zeigler back in the seat. Oregon painter Joe Miller helped Zeigler recreate the beautiful Plymouth.