NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series Coming to Idaho in August

In the world of the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series, they call `em the “Big Three”. Each are steeped in history and intrigue. The March Meet begins the year and the NHRA Hot Rod Reunion closes the season, both of which take place in the groves of Bakersfield.

The third is a staple in Idaho not unlike the Famous Potatoes slogan attached to Gem State license plates for many decades. For all you history buffs, it all started back in 1972. The event was coined the Nightfire.

It didn’t take long at all for this one-night marathon to earn the distinction of Firebird’s “biggest drag race of the year”. Originally known as the Nightfire 500, it all started on the second Saturday of September (just a couple of weeks after the inaugural 64 Funny Cars at the famed Bill Doner’s S.I.R. in Washington state) featuring a combination of the sport’s top AA and A/Funny Cars. The event’s first winners included none other than Twig Zeigler and Dale Armstrong.

Through the years, the Nightfire would evolve into not only one of the leading sporting events in Idaho, but also one of the largest drag races in the entire Northwest. In 1982, exactly ten years after the first 500, the event would expand from its original one night format to a magnified three-night extravaganza. Not only did the Professional side of the racing weekend grow in size and status, but so would the sportsman aspect with the nationally-recognized Bracketeer Series joining forces with the multi-day happening.

This was the beginning of an event that would be renamed the Nightfire Nationals. Crowds quickly fell in love with the variety of nights and expanded opportunities to watch many of the sport’s top stars, as always—under the lights.  Just look back at some of the previous champions and you’ll quickly see a list including many of the who’s who in Drag Racing. From Ed McCulloch to Don Prudhomme, Raymond Beadle to John Force, Tom McEwen to Gordie Bonin, and the list goes on and on—all are former Nightfire winners.

The same holds true with Bracketeer Series. Expanded to four days and nights many years ago, Bracketeer racers have come to Firebird from all over the United States and Canada. For all intents and purposes, it is the only true big money bracket racing national event in the entire country. Thousands of fans annually get an opportunity to watch some of the best bracket aces in the land duke it out for some extra tall green. In fact, this year will feature the largest sportsman payday in Firebird’s forty-two year existence, as a whopping $75,000 in guaranteed cash will be paid out over the four-day event. Not unlike the Pro side of the event, the kingpins of bracket racing have been richly rewarded with victories throughout the years. Renowned racers like Richard McFarland, Peter Berkuta, Ron Nickels, Bill Heard, Mark Kidd, Stan Leerkamp, Garnet Rose, Dan Lafferty, Dale Green, Gordon Turner (to name but a few from a list of hundreds) and countless others have all achieved success and victories in the Bracketeers over the years. On the opposite side of the fence, many others hope this will be the year they finally hit victory lane at Idaho’s granddaddy bracket tournament, all of which started way back in 1976.

2009 is shaping up to be nothing shy of outstanding. The Pepsi Nightfire Nationals will be celebrating its 38th year on August 14th-16th. And in combination, a record $182,000 prize pool will be on the line in both the Professional and Sportsman ranks.

This year’s field of AA/Funny Cars and Fuel Dragsters is top notch. Early pre-entrants already include the likes of Bucky Austin, Garrett Bateman, Mendy Fry, Leah Pruett-LeDuc, Jim Murphy, Jack & Brett Harris, Rick White and many others. The eastern side of the country will be well represented by the likes of Paul Romine who will be bringing his “Man-O-War” Mustang all the way from Indianapolis for his first appearance in western Idaho. Romine is a former IHRA World Champion and has a storied history in both Top Fuel and Funny Car racing.

Reserved tickets can be purchased through the Firebird Hotline: 208 938-8986 or you can capture a ticket application off our website (and mail it to Firebird Raceway, P.O. Box 1398, Eagle, ID 83616 or fax it to: 208 938-8961). At the same time, pre-entries are being accepted for the classes of Bracketeer, Top Fire, Pro, Heavy and Snow/Bike.

Be a part of the big one this August as the next stop in the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage point’s series takes up residency over the weekend of the 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th of August. If the record-busting March Meet and Hot Rod Reunion-East held at Bowling Green, Kentucky, earlier this year are any indication of the sweeping success and interest—then this one may be one for the ages.

On behalf of every member of the New Crew and our raceway staff, we’re certainly looking forward to seeing everyone in less than two months.

Club Challenge Series returns Friday-July 3rd

The Fairly Reliable Bob’s Club Challenge Series kicks back into gear this Friday, July 3rd. Gates open at 2 pm, while first round of racing will be set to go at 6:30 pm. Adult admission is $11, kids 6-12 are $3, and toddlers 5 & under are free.

The Silver Cup point’s chase is just simply superb. The difference between #1 and #2 is a mere 9 points. Yes, JUST 9 POINTS! Team PSI leads the Naughty Girls by less than one round of racing, with Melba and the Mopars currently third and fourth. In the Bronze Cup, the Kuna Draggers are less than two rounds in front of the Hot Shots. And the Copper Cup finds Idaho Diesel Power in first, while the Modern Rodders and Loco Motion sit second and third.

This will mark the fourth stop in the six-race series.