Nightfire_2009_photos

One of the biggest crowds in track history attended this year’s Pepsi Nightfire Nationals as Kris Krabill and Twig Zeigler qualify here during the Friday Nitro Jam.	The weekend’s two quickest Pro Modified racers met up in the Nightfire final. Dennis Radford (who had earlier run 6.19 at a track record speed of 231 mph) stopped Billy Harper (the #2 qualifier at 6.21) in a battle of two of the nation’s premiere nitrous teams.
Arizona’s Michael Zimmerman not only won Sunday night’s $5,000 Bracketeer title, but also won the Meridian Automotive & Machine 4-Day point’s title with a near perfect .002 reaction and dead perfect 7.680 on a 7.68 dial in the final.	Jeff Devey garnered the Bracketeer Allstar Dash for Cash, a special race within a race hosted by Firebird general manger Bill New. The $1,000 to win race staged for returning veterans saw Aaron Marcum finish runner-up (far side) in the all Idaho final.
Bucky Austin looked like the man to beat all weekend long, running one 5-second run after another. Kris Krabill denied the Steve Plueger-owned Plymouth Arrow the Funny Car title in a very good final round on Sunday night.	Most will agree, families and friends are what our races are all about.
Jim Dillon knocked out Mark Kidd (near side) during Friday night’s $2,000 to win Pro final.	Expanded to a two-night affair in `09 (Friday and Saturday afternoons), the Autograph Session attracted a record number of fans who packed the upper pit area.
The many time NHRA national event winner Justin Lamb from Henderson, Nev., competed at his first Nightfire, finishing in the late rounds of Top Fire-Open Wheel.	Tom Davis earned the Pro Dash for Cash title on Saturday evening with his `56 Chevy two-door.
Rick White nailed the pole in Top Fuel qualifying on Friday night posting a 5.81 (far side) next to Jim Murphy who ran 6.16 in front of a big Family Night crowd presented by CHF, Carl’s Jr. and KTVB- Channel 7.	Mike Savage drove the recreated Candies & Hughes Barracuda to a 6.23.
Craig Olson debuted a brand new Sonny Leonard-built motor, nailing the event’s quickest sportsman doorslammer run and career quickest lap deep into the 6.80-zone.	Dustin Hentges came very close to winning his second Bracketeer title, earning a runner-up to Dan Lafferty on Friday night.
During Top Fire-full bodied qualifying, Brian Stief and Randy Modersohn put their Corvettes in the #2 (at 7.41 for the Ken Neibauer Vette) and #5 spots (at 7.96 by the St. Albert, Alberta ride).	Lyle Burnham from Henderson, Nev., qualified on the pole in Top Fire, ripping into the 6.60’s during eliminations.
Ron Nickels, who was attending his 25th consecutive Nightfire weekend, won Pro Consolation over Aaron Marcum (near side) on Friday.	Richard McFarland finished 18th overall in the Bracketeer 4-day point’s standings.
The Nelson family from northern Idaho had three entries in Bracketeer eliminator this year, including this turquoise, gray and black dragster of Krista.	The state of Arizona was well represented this year at the Nightfire as Larry Spitali’s “Black Cherry” Camaro and fellow racers got together for this photo during parking day.
Richard Smith, far side, and Derek Snelson put on a sensational starting line with the “Nitehawk” and “Warhawk” Jet Funny Cars.	2008 Bracketeer Allstar Nick Nicholson competed with his son Mike over all four days with his rear-engined Dragster.
Northern California ace David Myhre rattled off a number of round wins in the Bracketeer class with this stealth black dragster.	Ken Windley pulled off a monster win on Saturday night of the Nightfire, nailing down the $2,000 in cash to win after Jackie Alley redlighted in the final.
Former 4-Day point’s champion Tracy Holt had a forgettable weekend after breaking not only his Bracketeer ride, but also his Top Fire entry to boot (having to head back to Utah on Saturday morning).	Oklahoma’s Troy Green (driver, seated) hooked up with the High Speed Motorsports entourage principally based out of southern California. The reigning Heritage Series national champs recently made the cover of Drag Racer magazine after winning the NHRA Reunion in Bowling Green, Kent., but couldn’t nail the numbers they were hoping for at Firebird.