Nightfire_2009_photos

J.R. Leerkamp was presented the Bracketeer Allstar award at the Nightfire, joining his Dad Stan as the first father – son tandem in the storied history of the Bracketeer (which dates back to 1976). He also finished 12th in the overall standings.	Selected for Long Distance, Darren O’Connor traveled from Ft. John, British Columbia, a six hour tow just to Edmonton (mind you) to this year’s Nightfire.
Chief starter Joel Eggers, announcer Doug Burtch, and all around good guy Bob Towery (l to r) are some of the talented staff members on the Firebird crew.	It was terrific having Dave Varner, a former Pro Allstar, returning to the Nightfire this year. He finished 11th in the final standings with his Modesto-based Camaro.
Easily one of the most eye catching sportsman entries at this year’s event was the “Mighty Mouse” 7-second supercharged roadster that raced in the Pro division.	Well over a century of racing history (and many event and track championships to their credit) are represented with these three characters. This is Dave Varner, Larry Hale and Ron Nickels, three long-time supporters of Firebird and the Nightfire event.
Although their weekend wasn’t the best, the fans just love the “Back `n Black” GTO of Southern California’s Dennis LaCharite.	Last year’s Air Firebird Wheelstanding champ Steve Stuart was standing his Chevelle near the bumper every morning. Stuart was competing at his first Nightfire and will return for Classic XVI.
Rich Pedraza Sr. overtook two riders on the final day of the Snow/Bike class to win his second straight National Dragster Challenge 4-day point’s title presented by Carl’s Cycle Sales. The victory earned him an NHRA Wally trophy.	Chris Hall redlighted on the opening night (Thursday) to eventual 4-day point’s champion Troy Pecht who scooped up the $2,000 victory with a 10.21 (10.22 dial).
Steve Plueger, Paul Trabue and company really had both the Plueger & Guyger Mustang and Bucky’s Plymouth Arrow flying throughout the Nightfire weekend. Between the two, they ripped off a ton of 5-second performances and secured a runner-up finish with the Austin nitro burner. Sidenote: the header flames on both the Plueger entries were positively outstanding under the lights!	In an all Arizona final on Thursday night, Eddie Brown (far side) scooped up the $5K victory over second generation racer Brad Hawk, near side, in a north (Brown from Mesa) vs. south (Hawk from Tucson) shootout.
One of three cars in the Sharpe & Preszler camp, this is George Preszler out of the Tri-Cities region of Washington-state.	The Jaker Allstar award was presented to former AHRA Alcohol Funny Car World Champion Richard Smith, right. Unfortunately Richard crashed his Jet Funny Car in the shutdown area in the last pair of cars down the track Saturday night, but returned to visit with Firebird’s Scott New over the p.a. system during Sunday night’s pro finals.
Selected for the Pro Allstar award at this year’s Nightfire was the long-time Firebird racer Kent Wilson.	Following the color theme of the original Revellution nitro Funny Car of Ed “the Ace” McCulloch, this is Arizona’s Sean Dale with his Shakey Situation version of the once very famous late-70’s fuel coupe.
Kim Mason from Idaho’s Magic Valley (down in south central Idaho) stands his black `40 Willys sky high during this time trial effort along side of good friend Mark Austin.	After busting out a track record 5.85 during Friday night qualifying, Garrett Bateman raced alongside the “Heart Breaker” Mustang of Leah Pruett-LeDuc.
Speaking of Leah, here she signs a racing card for a young fan during the very popular Autograph Session in the upper pro pit area. We are especially grateful for all the pre-race media work Leah conducted for the Firebird event (in between her college courses).	Reigning NHRA World Champion Steve Kelly stopped Mike Drummond, far side, in the Pro Consolation final on Saturday night.
The owner of Fountain Tire in the greater Edmonton region, this is Todd Lesenko with the “Jolly Rogers” AA/Funny Car who fell in the opening round to Bucky Austin (who ripped off a 5.94 jaw dropper on Saturday night).	Winning the quickest and fastest Top Fire class in Nightfire history, Jon Bradford from Tucson, defeated Dan Doersch (far lane) in a twin to the final round at the 2008 event.
Julie Hart (near side) had a dream weekend in the Heavy class winning the first two nights and getting selected for a free 4-day entry to the 2010 race during the AAA of Idaho Racer Appreciation Party on Thursday evening. In this photo she stopped eventual 4-day champ Dave Wilson with is brand new Mustang.	In a heck of a second round race, Paul Romine (far lane) knocked out the 5-second “McCain’s Bomb Squad” Funny Car driven by crowd favorite Mendy Fry.
High School standout Lucas Hull defeated Glen Phillips in the Heavy class final on Saturday night. He finished 4th in the final standings and currently races for Middleton High School.	Special thanks to Shayne Schaefer who not only competed in the Heavy class at the Nightfire, but is also credited with maintaining the Firebird website week-in and week-out (& posting all these cool photos on our site), which we are grateful for.

Images by the Firebird staff (and more to follow from an assortment of photographers as time permits).