This year’s Pepsi Nightfire Nationals was billed as the “race for the ages” and as most would agree, it was a barnburner weekend of action at Firebird’s biggest race of the season.

In dominating fashion Tony Bartone swept his third straight Top Fuel title, running a 5.69 at a booming 261.32 to defeat a very game 5.77-240.94 by Jim Murphy. In Funny Car, Steven Densham ran 5.75, 5.84, and a final round 5.77 to win his second Nightfire title. He defeated Cory Lee who recorded a 5.88-243.63. Jeremy Sullivan successfully defended the Fuel Altered field by running 6.17-237.75 over a tire shaking attempt by Todd Miller in the Dan Hix Fiat. In BB/Funny Car action Greg Howland nailed down a 6.76-208.94 to clip Jesse Welch 6.81-205.44.

AA/Fuel Dragster
Tony Bartone, Long Island City, NY, .092, 5.69, 261.32 def. Jim Murphy, Santa Rose, Calif., .116, 5.77, 240.94.

AA/Funny Car
Steven Densham, Bellflower, Calif., .083, 5.77, 248.39 def. Cory Lee, Oceanside, Calif., .116, 5.88, 243.63.

AA/Fuel Altered
Jeremy Sullivan, Lake Matthews, Calif., .125, 6.17, 237.75 def. Todd Miller, Boring, Ore., .159, 23.96, 32.41.

BB/Funny Car
Greg Howland, E. Wenatchee, Wash., .057, 6.76, 208.94 def. Jesse Welch, Wenatchee, Wash., .123, 6.81, 205.44.

Tater Baker AA/Funny Car
Jon Rice, Pocatello, Ida., .133, 6.32, 223.02 def. Wally Giavia, Klamath Falls, Ore., .165, 6.53, 215.37.

Bracketeer
Marissa Kidd, Twin Falls, Ida., .001, 7.78 (7.76 dial) 164.89 def. Thomas Bayer, Alta Loma, 7.66 (7.61 dial) 164.45.

Pro
Andy Schmall, Idaho Falls, .016, 10.74 (10.72 dial) 120.49 def. Chris Hall, Brigham City, Utah, .040, 10.76 (10.75 dial) 118.94.

Heavy
Kristi Shawver, Meridian, .065, 11.65 (11.63 dial) 113.90 def. Paul Jordan, Butte, Mont., -.002 redlight, 14.90 (11.80 dial) 68.96.

Sportsman
Deana Bullington, Kuna, .281, 13.08 (13.06 dial) 107.42 def. Kristi Reedy, Ontario, Ore., .185, 12.37 (12.45 dial) 98.28.

Sled/Bike
Paul Vaughn, Emmett, .165, 9.72 (9.65 dial) 119.07 def. Brad Crawford, Kennewick, Wash., .137, 9.80 (9.45 dial) 137.65.

Bracketeer Allstar Dash for Cash
Tom Clark, .019, 7.26 (7.27 dial) 185.66 def. Matt Compton, -.013 redlight, 8.27 (8.29 dial) 158.67.

Bracketeer Consolation
Necia Cox, Boise, .006, 9.72 (9.72 dial) 134.70 def. Dale Green, Pacific, Wash., .012, 7.38 (7.38 dial) 177.07.

Pro Consolation
Robert Jackson Jr., Happy Valley, Ore., .030, 10.68 (10.68 dial) 124.00 def. Paul Sanders, Phoenix, Ariz., .035, 13.08 (13.09 dial) 104.09.

Top Fire-Runoff
Blu Hayball, Fort Hall, .034, 7.29 (7.26 dial) 165.07 Kurt Averill, Grand Junction, Colo., .036, 8.25 (8.22 dial) 166.37.

Top Fire–Open
Blu Hayball, Fort Hall, Ida., .024, 7.29 (7.27 dial) 182.82 def. Kevin Rennick, Kent, Wash., -.018, 7.39 (7.24 dial) 182.90.

Top Fire-Full Body
Kurt Averill, Grand Junction, Colo., .041, 8.34 (8.23 dial) 164.29 def. Mark Austin, Star, .017, 7.78 (7.65 dial) 174.19.

Final Points – Meridian Automotive & Machine Bracketeer Series
2016 National Dragster Challenge

Bracketeer
1. Marissa Kidd 990
2. Mike Coltrin 887
3. Bud Preuss 789
4. Dan Lafferty 736
5. Justin Juel 687
6. Eddie Franek 634
7. Brad Todd 535
8. Dale Green 485
9. Jesse Adams 484
9. David Myhre 484
10. Kurt Gross 437

Pro
1. Andy Schmall 787
2. Jason Thomas 736
3. John Schurr 586
4. Steve Lambert 537
4. Brandon Umberger 537
5. Lisa Thomas 535

Heavy
1. Kristi Shawver 689
2. Paul Sanders 640
3. Duston Wurtz 635
4. Noel Burkovsky 585
5. Paul Jordan 565

Sled/Bike
1. Chad Hofert 688
2. Brad Crawford 589
3. Scott Grondahl 487
4. Zak Pedraza 486
5. Jacob Wood 436

Sportsman
1. Deana Bullington 538
2. Kristi Reedy 537
2. Michael Jaggers 537
3. Rex Petersen 436
4. Margaret Smith 386
5. Janet Barrett 385

Best Appearing Car – Rick Mickelson, Bracketeer
Best Appearing Crew – Dan Horan Jr., Funny Car
Best Engineered – Kurt Averill, Bracketeer
Quickest Open Wheeler – Jason Covington
Quickest Full-Bodied – Mark Austin
Quickest Sled/Bike – Roy Barrera Jr.