STEVE LAMBERT SWEEPS RACER OF THE YEAR HONORS

The 42nd edition of the Firebird Award’s Banquet officially brought the 2009 NHRA Drag Racing Season to a close on Saturday night, November 21st. Held in the Ballroom of the DoubleTree Riverside in Boise, the Banquet featured an evening packed with awards, which included upwards of $15,000 in cash and prizes.

Presented by Boise Muffler and Auto Body Paint & Supply, awards were distributed in the Gold Cup Championships in everything from the Woody’s Snow/Bike division right on thru the Meadow Gold Junior Series. Likewise, presentations were made in the High School Series presented by the United Dairymen of Idaho and the U.S. Army; Lyle Pearson Acura Import Series; and the Fairly Reliable Bob's Club Series. Additionally, the top seven finishing students received merchandise thanks to Pecht Family Farms and K & N Filters.

NHRA Division 6 Director Jonathan Adams attended the gala event, too, officially presenting the Wally trophy for Team Firebird’s sixth Northwest Track Championship at the Summit E.T. Finals.

Voted on by his piers, Steve Lambert was chosen as Bracket Racer of the Year. Sweeping honors for "Lady Driver of the Year" was Jennifer Barr.

One of the highlights of the evening was the 24th presentation of the Racemaster award. Emmett’s Doug Strunk was acknowledged for this very special Firebird Hall of Fame type award. Strunk has been involved with the raceway in a variety of roles over the past three decades.

2009 Champions include:

Super Pro: Steve Lambert, Boise
Pro: Jerry Hodges, Boise
Sportsman: Joe Witherspoon, Jerome
Pro Snow/Bike: Craig Jensen, Chubback
Junior Lightning: Alex Steen, Idaho Falls
Junior Thunder: Michael Jaggers, Middleton
High School Teams: Mtn. View High (AAA) and Middleton High (AA)
High School – Individual: Tyler Rush, Mtn. View High
Alumni: Carl Youngstrom, Caldwell
Sport Compact: David Meimann, Middleton
Street Bike: Don Trafford, Nampa
Outlaw Street: Joseph Karnes, Eagle
Street Truck: Ryan Resinkin, Emmett
Nostalgia: Larry Saunders, Ontario, Ore.
Club Champions: PSI Racing (Silver Cup), Kuna Draggers (Bronze Cup), and Modern Rodders (Copper Cup)

Year-end special awards:

Rising Star— Alex Steen, Idaho Falls
Top Rookie—Zak Pedraza, Boise
Best Appearing Race Car—Melissa Jarboe, New Plymouth
Outstanding Perseverance—Rich Pedraza, Boise
Goodguy `09—Andy Strunk, Emmett
Outstanding Crew—Jaggers & Gardner, Middleton
Most Improved Driver—David Deming, Nampa
Staff Recipient—Misty Kramer, Star
Official Recipient—Jason Fry, Eagle
Lady Driver of the Year—Jennifer Barr, Nampa
Bracket Racer of the Year—Steve Lambert, Boise
2009 Racemaster—Doug Strunk, Emmett