Nightfire 2009 photos page 3

The talented David Fudge took this assortment of photos.

The upper Pro Pit Area during the Pepsi Nightfire was wall-to-wall people throughout the weekend.	Making their first appearance at Firebird, the “Lil’ Nate” Cuda qualified 14th at 6.51, but lost in a close race to Mendy Fry in the opening round Saturday night.
Twelve of the former Bracketeer Allstars joined with Firebird’s Brad New to congratulate J.R. Leerkamp (center) during the award’s program on Sunday afternoon.	With wheels in the air, Diana Anderson was one of three members of the Anderson family from Twin Falls racing in Bracketeer eliminator. Both husband Don and son Kenny raced throughout the weekend, too.
Dan Lafferty and family celebrated Friday night’s $5,000 victory in Bracketeer eliminator in the Pepsi Winner’s Circle.	Racing in the Pro class, this blue Chevy truck is just about one of the trickest fleetside pickups we’ve ever seen rock the quarter-mile.
Arizona nitro Funny Car racer John Powers has one incredible operation. He qualified 7th at 6.13-234.74, but hit a foam block in round one, sending Twig Zeigler to the second round.	Ron Gering made the long distance tow from his home in Bellevue, Nebraska with this `68 Dart that loved to carry the front wheels.
A special presentation was made on Saturday night to Tim McGee (left) with Pepsi Bottling Ventures and Vance Miller (center) by Firebird’s Bill & Scott New.	Former Pepsi Nightfire Pro Mod champ Lee Smith had his Corvette flying this year, qualifying at a 6.34-225.79 (the quickest blown doorslammer pass in Firebird history).
Eastern Oregon’s Dennis Radford and crew were selected for Best Appearing Crew with his many-time Nightfire winning operation.	Ed Dougan drove the colorful “Fighting Irish” Camaro to the eleventh spot in the fuel Funny Car field at 6.20-227.61.
Coming all the way from Edmonton, Tom McAvoy joined quite a cross-section of top Alberta racers at this year’s Nightfire.	Firebird General Manager Bill New congratulated Rick White (center) and Chuck Neal for their Top Fuel win. They ran 5.81, 5.78, 5.76, 5.79, 6.66 (brain fade admitted White) and 5.70-254.45 for low e.t. and top speed of event in the final.
Bakersfield-ace Ray Shearer and his wife Evelyn finished 22nd in the final Bracketeer four-day point’s standings.	Jason Thomas won on Sunday night for the second straight year. This year he stopped Dick VanderMeer in the Bracketeer Consolation final to pocket $1,000 in cash.
Upstart nitro Funny Car pilot Josh Crawford (with tuning expertise by Ray Zeller) qualified fifteenth at 6.57, and was defeated in round one by Kris Krabill.	Dave Wilson, Vancouver, Wash., pounded out an impressive number of round wins throughout the four days to score the National Dragster Challenge Wally trophy in the Heavy division.
Garrett Bateman went into a big wheelstand during Sunday’s semi-final race with Bucky Austin. When the Mustang touched down at the 150’, he had to pedal it quickly, losing to Austin’s 6.01 with his 6.13.	DragRacingOnline.com editor Jeff Burk (right) from O’Fallon, Missouri, was seen visiting with the Bucky Austin crew during the weekend.
Derek Rose, who along with his Dad Garnet (and his daughter) represented three generations of the Rose family from St. Albert, Alberta. Derek finished 20th and Dad 27th in the final standings.	Brett Harris should’ve, could’ve, would’ve…in the Top Fuel semi’s. He nailed a career quickest 1.01 60’ time with wheels in the air, but broke the rear-end, sending the motor to the moon about 100’ into the run, advancing Rick White to the final.
Twig Zeiger and Kris Krabill perform side-by-side burnouts during the second round of AA/Funny Car on Sunday evening.	Carding a career quickest at Firebird, reigning Nightfire Pro Mod champ Rod Pearce qualified at a stout 6.39, but fell in round one to Canadian Dan Vogt.
Aaron Sasser runs this very snazzy 9-second Chevelle in the Bracketeer class. The family operates Lasasco, Inc. in Boise.	It was quite an effort for the Paso Posse to rebuild after their two-car Top Fuel crash at the March Meet, but it was great seeing Mike Chrisman, his legendary dad Art, John Rodeck, Gary Beck, Henry Walther and others return to the Nightfire this past August.

Special thanks to David for nailing some outstanding images during the Pepsi Nightfire weekend.

 (more to follow from an assortment of other photographers as time permits)