NAPA AUTO PARTS HALLOWEEN CLASSIC XVI PRESENTED BY PETERSON TOYOTA

 Normally we take and feature about four or five dozen shots from each and everyone of our major racing weekends. But this year’s Halloween Classic had so many extraordinary photos, we decided to nearly double that amount. Figured you likely wouldn’t mind, plus it gives us a real opportunity to showcase some of the fine work from Brian Losness, David Fudge, Gary & Jessica Himes, Gene Aguilar and assorted Firebird staff photographers.

This year’s Classic will no doubt be remembered as the year ol’ man winter decided to appear a month or so early. After reasonably mild weather on the first two days of the event, steady winds appeared during day three. Temperatures then dropped into arctic-like 30’s and 40’s on both Saturday and Sunday. Not only were the racers up for the challenge (wearing an assortment of jackets, hoodies and beanies to stay warm), but the Firebird staff did an outstanding job of preparing conditions for a tremendous field of 585 racers.

Speaking of conditions, it was nothing shy of jaw-dropping. As most would agree, the air was so good, the track’s corrected altitude was typically anywhere between 600’ and 1200’ below sea level. We’re talkin’ mineshaft with an explanation mark! Many mentioned that they’d personally run quicker during the Classic than any previous Firebird event on record.

Congratulations goes out to all the champions this year. A big tip of the hat is extended to this year’s Classic Grand Champion. Jason Thomas, at 20 years of age, not only swept the Super Pro class, but also won two additional rounds in the runoff, sweeping the $5,000 grand championship title. Only fifteen other racers have won this feat dating back to the start of the Classic. The former Junior Dragster and High School standout becomes the youngest to every pull off this accomplishment.

Thanks again to everyone who made the trip to Classic XVI. We are grateful to your support of our season closing family festival of fun. Enjoy all the terrific photography from this year’s five-day Halloween event.
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Joining Jason Thomas in the Pepsi Winner’s Circle is his parents Troy & Lisa, and several friends and Firebird staff members.
Thomas gunned down John Shaffer (far side) in the Super Pro final, which set the stage for the four-way Grand Championship runoff.

Paul Nicolosi (far lane) defeated Mark Kidd in an all Chevrolet Pro final, which netted the 2008 track champion the $3,000 cash top prize.
In Sportsman, Pacific Raceway track champion Dustin Ward (near lane) stopped John Floyd Jr., who reigns from the greater Portland/Vancouver region.

Utah’s Karl Martin swept the Heavy class with his very consistent Camaro.
Clayton Steen took home the NHRA Junior Drag Race Wally “Photo” Plaque after scoring Sunday’s Junior Thunder title.

Utah’s Kenneth Chintawan was not only selected for the Best Appearing Junior award, but also stopped Joseph Johnson (far lane) in the Lightning class.
Rose Show, near side, defeated Terry Downard in the Last Chance race.

Friday’s $2,000 Super Roller race was taken by Kenny Anderson, one of four entries in the Anderson family stable from Twin Falls.
Winning the No Box/Hi Roller division, Steve Pyburn (near lane) defeated Jesse Sanderson to collect the $1,500 top prize.

In an all Spokane-region No Box/Gambler final, Phil Hudlow beat Bruce Nickerson on Friday evening.
In an all door car final, Larry Troudt (near side) successfully scored Thursday $2,000 Super Roller title (over Craig Tharp).

Yakima’s Bob Bundy defeated Dan Krueger (who redlit in the near lane) in Thursday’s $1,500 No Box/Hi Roller race.
Utah’s Chris Weiss upended Jeff Higgins (far side) in Thursday’s No Box/Gambler final.

In the Top Gun-Open Wheel final, Dan Lafferty just edged out Ken Nelson (near lane). Lafferty went on to win the overall Top Gun Shootout crown, too.
For the second straight year, Jake Neibauer (near lane) would beat Neil Stahl, Glasgow, Mont., in the Top Gun-Full Bodied final.

Randy Williamson, racing for the Melba Outlaws, won a trailer from Quality Trailer Sales after scoring the Club Grand Championship on Wednesday night.
Holding his custom painted wagon, Stan Deming, who headed up Rock-It Racing, finished runner-up in the Club run-offs.

In spectacular fashion, Colorado’s Jamie DenBesten won top honors for “highest” in the Air Firebird Wheelstanding contest.
For the second straight year, Steve Stuart scored the “Air” contest for longest with his wild multi-colored Chevelle in front of a huge pit-side crowd.

Michael Jaggers won Saturday “A” Shootout over Montana’s Callie Allen (near side).
Ricky Bax, Draper, Utah, stopped Joseph Watts (far lane), Peterson, Wash., in the “E” Shootout.

Utah’s Kyle Anderson beat Alexis Stahl from Montana (far side) in the “B” Shootout.
Megham Molinari (far lane) collected the “D” Shootout title over Connor Coulter.

Aspen Hall (near lane) defeated Rochelle Robnett for the “F” Shootout plaque on Saturday.
In an all Boise “C” Shootout final, Wes Morris was victorious over a redlighting Ryan Flacker.
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