Big Crowd Attends Saturday Night Fright Night!

The opening rounds of eliminations got underway on Saturday in front of the biggest crowd in Classic history. Celebrating 15 years in 2008, the NAPA Auto Parts Halloween weekend has featured perfect weather from the moment the gates opened until racing came to a close Saturday evening.

The opening three rounds of the Top Gun Shootout were contested on Saturday.  By day’s end, Anita Olsen, Grand Junction, Colo., and Mike Dever, Billings, Mont., will square off for the Open Wheel title. On the Full Bodied side of the ladder, Craig Olson, Camino Island, Wash., and Jake Neibauer, Billings, Mont., will duke it out on Sunday. Leading up to the Open Wheel semi’s, Olsen defeated both Tracy Holt, Annie Whiteley, and Rod Langley. while Dever stopped Ken Nelson, Chris Jaggers, and Shane Molinari. Prior to the Full Bodied semi’s, Olson upended Derik Dickey, Chad Demler, and Justin Linares, while Neibauer got the best of Ken Bohenek, Tracy Hawker, and Dave Kvasnicka

The first round of all Classic eliminations were completed before the kids were turned loose for trick or treating. Later on in the evening, the Air Firebird Wheelstanding Show took place with an outstanding field of entries battling it out for ultimate bragging rights. More details to follow with Sunday’s post-race results.

Gates open Sunday at 8 am. Adult admission is $15, kids 6-12 are $5, and toddlers 5 & under are free.

Saturday Final Round Results
Jr. Dragster Shootout “A”
Champion-Chandler Steen, Idaho Falls, 13.20, 47.54.
Runner-up-Jacob Geier, Nampa, 13.48, 46.05.

Jr. Dragster Shootout “B”
Champion-Mason Euteneier-Asbury, Yakima, WA, 11.38, 55.16.
Runner-up-Brenden Anderson, Twin Falls, 9.26, 67.51.

Jr. Dragster Shootout “C”
Champion-Mason Ingram, Ogden, Utah, 9.96, 55.03.
Runner-up-Joseph Johnson, Caldwell, 10,03, 62.95.

Jr. Dragster Shootout “D”
Champion-Brittany Benson, Prineville, Ore., 9.05, 72.72.
Runner-up-Meagan Clarke, Spruce Grove, Alta., 10.13, 62.91.

Jr. Dragster Shootout “E”
Champion-Paige Lundeen, Murray, Utah, 8.15, 78.39.
Runner-up-Ricky Bax, Draper, Utah, 7.98, 77.79.

Jr. Dragster Shootout “F”
Champion-Zach Salo, Billings, Mont., 7.98, 81.51.
Runner-up-Christopher Northup, Boise, 8.22, 77.48.

Jr. Dragster Shootout “G”
Champion-Ryan Thompson, Wash. Terrace, Utah, 7.98, 80.56.
Runner-up-Krystal Busby, Meridian, 7.95, 82.30.

Jr. Dragster Shootout “H”
Champion-Mike George, Happy Valley, Ore., 8.12, 80.97.
Runner-up-Camille Shaffer, Boise, 8.05, 80.04.

Saturday night is one of the busiest nights of the Classic, so we’ll be back at a later time with more photos and more news from one of the most popular races of the whole year at Firebird. Thanks for your patience.

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