37th edition of the Pepsi Nightfire Nationals (Page A)

We know many of you have been eagerly awaiting the release of more images from the Pepsi Nightfire, so here you go. Special thanks to all the photographers credited with each photo below. We tried to capture a small slice of the color and excitement from this year's race, with more of the images earmarked to appear in the 2009 Motorsports Annual, the track's official program releasing next March. Sorry we couldn't get everyone's picture on the website, but this is a good cross-section from this year's four-day bash. Enjoy!!!
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Mark Malde and Jason Richey (far side) lock horns during the Key Bank Saturday Night Thunder. The Nitro Thunder ride ripped of a booming 248 mph blast. Image by Jason Ellis
In round one of AA/Funny Car, Bucky Austin went into a giant powerstand, helping Craig Michael's "Vegas Heat" to advance to the second round. Image by Pam Schavrien
The Professional Autograph Session was a huge success as fans lined up to meet all their favorite drivers. Image by M & D Photography
Firebird webmaster Shayne Schaefer stopped Margaret Smith in the semi's of Heavy before going onto win the Sunday night class. Image by Jason Ellis
The famed Dale Pulde, who debuted his "War Eagle" Trans Am, is the only Funny Car driver that holds the distinction of racing a flopper at Firebird in `68 and `08. Image by M & D Photography
Kentucky's Billy Harper rocked the house Saturday night with a stunning track record of 6.19-227.73 (lowering the previous mark of 6.34). Image by Jason Ellis
Kids have always been a big part of the Pepsi Nightfire. Image by M & D Photography
Terry Cox returned with the all-new "Cheetah IV" Fueler carding a weekend best of 6.29-217.81 on a losing bid to Brett Harris in round one. Image by M & D Photography
The Leerkamp family was selected the event's Best Engineered entry with their brand-new Mullis dragster. Image by Firebird Staff
Pro coordinator Tony Van congratulated Jim Murphy for winning his first Nightfire Top Fuel title. Image by Dennis Law
Colorado's Bryan Carmack earned the event's Quickest Roadster plaque after ripping off a 7.80 in Pro. Image by Firebird Staff
After licensing at the Nightfire in `07, Craig Michael returned to qualify 15th in the 16th car Funny Car field at 6.46-218.60. Image by Darrell Conrad
The skunk from Stinker Stations always enjoys entertaining the kids. Image by Jason Ellis
Frank "The Underdog" Underhill runs this very cool `56 Ford from Napa, Calif. Image by Nitrophoto
Tom Bailey from eastern Idaho always runs hard with his 7-second small block dragster. Image by Jason Ellis
Montana's Lee Frank qualified on a last ditch effort in Pro Modifed in the number four spot at 6.49-218.49. Image by Jason Ellis
Hot Rod magazine writer Dave Wallace helped add a nostalgic flair to the announcing deck one day. Image by Darrell Conrad
Terry "Wheeler Dealer" Capp drove the famed "Bubble Up" Trans Am to a runner-up finish after qualifying third at 6.07. Image by Jason Ellis
Arizona's Jon Bradford competes along side of former Nightfire winner Bill Huntington. Bradford won the go-fast Top Fire title. Image by Nitrophoto
The "Nitro Pimp" Vega from Spokane made a couple of passes towards his AA/Funny Car license. Image by Jason Ellis
Fine tuning his combination, Jim Murphy gets the WW2 Fuel Dragster ready for another run. Image by Jason Ellis
Dennis Radford flew during Pro Modified qualifying to a 6.30-218.60, qualifying second behind teammate Billy Harper. Image by Jason Ellis
The Meridian Automotive & Machine Bracketeer Series attracted a big turnout of entries this year. Image by Jason Ellis
Misfortune struck in the Top Fuel final for Brad Thompson (near side) who hit the wall at mid-track. Thompson continues his rehabilitation and recovery. Jim Murphy was awarded the win. Image by Jason Ellis
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