FRY, RUPERT, BOWEN, HIX & THORNTON JR. WIN PROFESSIONAL CROWNS
One of the oldest major sporting events in the Pacific Northwest is the Pepsi Nightfire Nationals. The signature event of Firebird Raceway takes place in the foothills above Idaho’s capital city of Boise, a 47th year tradition in western Idaho. Both AA/Funny Car and AA/Fuel Dragster took center stage in the Heritage Series chase all three days. In addition, AA/Fuel Altereds and Pro Mods competed on what was the hottest weather weekend of racing in track history.
Hard to believe, but it was like a blast furnace the first three days with temps of 105, 110 and 105. The event featured a 16-car field split into an “8 in the Main Event” and a second “8 in the Tater Baker”. The main event featured the quickest Firebird in track history sandwiched between at 5.73 by Dan Horan Jr. and a bump of 5.86 by Bobby Cottrell.
In round one, Matt Bynum just clipped Mark Sanders, 5.75 to a 5.77. Jeff Arend nailed a holeshot 5.70 to 5.69 by John Weaver. Impressively, Cottrell held off Horan Jr., in a 5.84 to 5.73 decision. Jason Rupert then delivered a 5.64 to cover a 7.12 by Billy Morris. In the semis, Rupert beat Arend 5.61-260.81 (top speed) over a 5.74 and Bynum ran 6.18 against a tire blazing Cottrell, who slowed to 9.50.
Rupert made it three Firebird victories in a row dating back to May 2017. He ran low e.t. in the final at 5.60 to defeat Bynum’s valiant attempt at 5.73.
The Tater Baker second 8-car field came down to a Shawn Bowen versus Tim Boychuk final round. Bowen won convincingly at 5.82-222.69 when Boychuk redlit with a -.037.
In AA/Fuel Dragster, the semi-finals would see Dusty Green holeshot Pete Wittenberg 5.80 to a quicker 5.71. On the other side of the ladder, Mendy Fry would stop Tyler Hilton 5.69 to a 5.88. In the final, Mendy left little to doubt running low e.t. and top speed at 5.66-254.71 to easily stop Green who finished at 6.04-198.73.
AA/Fuel Altered featured 9 cars trying to make the 8-car cut. In the final four, Troy Owen won his heat with “the Tramp” and new driver David Giles, running 6.02 on the 6.00 index (Giles crossed center-line). Then Dan Hix ran 6.08 to beat Todd Miller who developed an oil leak on the line. In the final, Hix would prove tough to beat, running 6.17-230.10 to stop a clutch destroying attempt of 8.46 shutoff attempt by Owen for his maiden Firebird victory.
The Xtreme Pro Mod Association saw 9 cars competing for an 8-car show. In the final, Ed Thornton Jr., posted a high altitude 5.88-258.86 (after setting a track record earlier in the event of 5.86-259.16). The twin-turbo Camaro bested Jay Diedrich who finished at 6.16-196.97.
In addition, the New family presented the 16th annual Jaker Allstar award, a special honor on behalf of the owners of Firebird Raceway on Saturday night. Pro Mod team owner Kirk Kuhns received a Firebird Hall of Fame type bronze eagle statue to recognize his many years of supporting the western Idaho facility.
Four special Professional awards were also handed out: Jana Thompson (Best Back Up Girl), Best Header Flames: “the Tramp” Fuel Altered, Best Burnout: Arend “California Hustler”, and Best Appearing Crew: Bill Windham “Shakedown”.
BARNHART, LAFFERTY, GREEN & COLTRIN WIN BRACKETEER TITLES
The 47th Annual Pepsi Nightfire Nationals attracted competitors from 15 states and Canada. Aligned with the All Access Challenge, the guaranteed 4-day purse topped $85,000 in cash.
Thursday night paid $5,000 to win, which also included the popular New Family Racer Appreciation Party & Taco Feed. Mark Barnhart ran 7.46 (7.43 dial) 175.41 to defeat Don Toia who recorded a 7.80 (7.75 dial) 167.07 for the Bracketeer crown.
Other Thursday night winners included: Brandon Umberger in Pro, Tom Davis in Heavy, David Wood in Sled/Bike, Shannon Boepple in Box Consolation and Stan Deming in No Box Consolation.
Dan Lafferty won Friday night’s $5,000 title. Lafferty ran 7.18 (7.17 dial) 179.90 to defeat Steve Kelly who went 10.40 (10.38 dial) 149.31.
Umberger swept a second night in Pro, Zak Pedraza captured Heavy, and David Wheeler locked down Sled/Bike.
On Saturday, Dale Green won the $7,500 Bracketeer title by posting an 8.64 (8.66 dial) 178.17 to hold Shane Thompson–7.16 (7.19 dial) 189.12.
Lucas Hull won Pro, Bill King gathered up Heavy, Paul Vaughn in Sled/Bike, Justin Cooper secured Bracketeer Consolation and Chris Hall earned Pro Consolation.
Mike Coltrin beat good friend Gordon Boven in an all door car Bracketeer final on Sunday. Earning the $5K, Coltrin posted an 8.25 (8.24 dial) 175.34 when Boven went -.002 red.
The Lucas Oil Top Fire presented by CMYK Grafix class pitting the event’s quickest 16 open and full-bodied rides (two categories). Brad Todd won with a 7.39 (7.40 dial) 181.25 to beat a redlighting Jeremy Wilson.
Jake Guadagnolo won Pro on Sunday, Chris Hopper earned the Heavy title, Don Trafford was victorious in Sled/Bike, William Carnell secured Bracketeer Consolation and Andy Schmall conquered all challengers in Pro Consolation.
The Allstar Dash for Cash featured special bonus money from the New Crew. Blu Hayball won the Bracketeer $1000 to win Dash, and Umberger scooped up the $500 Pro Dash.
The All Access Challenge 4-Night Bracketeer Series presented by IWS Sales officially crowned 4-day point’s titles. NHRA Wally statues and bonus bucks were awarded to: Bracketeer Champ-Coltrin, Pro-Umberger, Heavy-Joe Witherspoon and Sled/Bike-Wood.
Special award recipients included the announcement of the newest Allstar inductees—Dustin Hentges in Bracketeer and Jeff Taylor in Pro. Additional special plaques were presented to: Judy Radford—Quickest Door Car, Lafferty—Quickest Dragster, Jacob Wood—Quickest Sled/Bike; Bartone & Lebor-Long Distance; Dairld Wurtz/Dan Gluch—Best Appearing Car and Larry McLanahan—Best Engineered.
Pepsi Nightfire Nationals – Final Results
Sunday, August 12, 2018
AA/Funny Car
Jason Rupert, Anaheim Hills, CA, .128, 5.60, 253.47 def. Matt Bynum, Ypsilanti, MI, .130, 5.73, 226.66.
AA/Fuel Dragster
Mendy Fry, Los Angeles, .147, 5.66, 254.71 def. Dusty Green, Pleasant Hill, CA, .112, 6.04, 198.73.
Tater Baker AA/Funny Car
Shawn Bowen, Goodrich, MI,.087, 5.82, 222.69 def. Tim Boychuk, Scottsdale, AZ, -.037, 15.64, 56.56.
AA/ Fuel Altered
Dan Hix, Central Point, OR, .122, 6.17 230.10 def. Troy Owen, Albany, OR .151, 8.46, 180.92.
Pro Modified
Ed Thornton, Chino Hills, CA, .056, 5.88 258.86 def. Jay Diedrich, Firebaugh, CA, .018, 6.16, 196.67.
Bracketeer
Mike Coltrin, Boise, .032, 8.25 (8.24 dial) 175.34 mph def. Gordon Boven, Boise, -.002, 9.29 (9.32 dial) 142.24.
Pro
Jake Guadagnolo, Linden, CA, .042, 10.16 (10.15 dial) 125.99 def. Brandon Umberger, Grand Junction, CO, .033, 9.32 (9.33 dial) 134.19.
Heavy
Chris Hopper, Salt Lake City, .002, 11.80 (11.78 dial) 109.41 def Tom Davis, Meridian, .037, 11.80 (11.81 dial) 110.37.
Sled/Bike
Don Trafford, Nampa, .139, 9.55 (9.47 dial) 144.47 def. David Wood, Eagle, -.023, 9.22 (9.16 dial) 132.63.
Bracketeer Consolation
William Carnell, Murray, UT, .026, 7.40 (7.40 dial) 181.28 def. John Burchtorf, Nampa, broke.
Pro/Heavy Consolation
Andy Schmall, Idaho Falls, .039, 9.66 (9.67) 138.13 def. Jim Cox, Weiser, .050, 9.69 (9.71 dial) 138.57.
Bracketeer Allstar Dash
Blu Hayball, Fort Hall, .018, 7.27 (7.26 dial) 177.63 def. Mark Barnhart, Emmett, .049, 7.34 (7.35 dial) 180.12.
Lucas Oil Top Fire Runoff presented by CMYK Grafix
Brad Todd, Meridian, .045, 7.39 (7.40 dial) 181.25 def. Jeremy Wilson, Grand Junction, CO, -.007, 8.21 (8.20 dial) 162.67.
IMS Sales Bracketeer 4-Day Overall Champions
Bracketeer– Mike Coltrin, Boise
Pro – Brandon Umberger, Grand Junction, CO
Heavy – Joe Witherspoon, Caldwell
Sled/Bike – David Wood, Eagle
Pepsi Nightfire Nationals
Saturday, August 11, 2018
Bracketeer
Dale Green, Pacific, Wash., .006, 8.64 (8.66 dial), 178.17 mph def. Shane Thompson, Henderson, Nev., .033, 7.16 (7.19 dial), 189.12.
Pro
Lucas Hull, Middleton, .026, 10.92 (10.88 dial), 123.17 def. Chris Stout, Pocatello, .017, 11.73 (11.67 dial), 115.22.
Heavy
Bill King, Caldwell, .011, 12.43 (12.30 dial), 96.19 def. Michael Jaggers, Middleton, .050, 13.85 (13.72 dial), 93.41.
Sled/Bike
Paul Vaughn, Emmett, .091, 11.42 (11.44 dial), 105.38 def. David Wood, Eagle, .095, 9.13 (9.17 dial), 139.41.
Bracketeer Consolation
Justin Cooper, Medical Lake, Wash., .017, 7.84 (7.84 dial), 170.58 def. Sean Page, Boise, .007, 7.87 (7.85 dial), 170.51.
Pro/Heavy Consolation
Chris Hall, Brigham City, Utah, .009, 9.65 (9.61 dial), 129.33 def. Michael Clement, Meridian, .080, 12.28 (12.24 dial), 114.87.
Pro Allstar Dash
Brandon Umberger, Grand Junction, Colo., .030, 9.33 (9.33 dial), 141.02 def. Mike Drummond, Ontario, Ore., -.115, 10.74 (10.69 dial), 124.10.
Pro Modified Round 1 – round one
Jay Diedrich, Firebaugh, Calif., .035, 6.00, 244.21 def. Garrett Richards, Tacoma, Wash., .024, 6.05, 239.74.
Mike Doushgounian, San Martin, Calif., .111, 5.93, 249.90 def. Jeremy Hanger, Buena Park, Calif., Broke.
Ed Thornton, Chino Hills, Calif., .037, 5.91, 258.62, def. Karl Wilson, Anaheim, Calif., .072, 6.10, 237.92.
AA/Fuel Dragster Round 1
Tyler Hilton, Cincinnati, Ohio, .145, 6.03, 240.89 def. Bret Williamson, Gilroy, Calif., .142, 6.11, 221.23.
Dusty Green, Pleasant Hill, Calif., .085, 5.98, 248.34 def. Brendan Murry, San Jose, Calif., .173, 8.62, 75.16.
Pete Wittenberg, Anaheim, Calif., .086, 5.73, 253.85 def. Adam Sorokin, La Crescenta, Calif., 5.90, 244.12.
Mendy Fry, Los Angeles, .135, 5.67, 253.47 def. Jim Murphy, Santa Rosa, Calif., .123, 6.48, 158.04.
AA/Funny Car Main Event – round one
Matt Bynum, Ypsilanti, Mich., .120, 5.75, 254.71 def. Mark Sanders, Maple Valley, Wash., .149, 5.77, 245.58.
Jeff Arend, La Verne, Calif., .094, 5.70, 249.86 def. John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., .112, 5.69, 254.52.
Bobby Cottrell, Whittier, Calif., .136, 5.84, 238.76 def. Dan Horan Jr., Sylmar, Calif., .363, 5.73, 251.25.
Jason Rupert, Anaheim Hills, Calif., .057, 5.64, 256.50 def. Billy Morris, La Quinta, Calif., .151, 7.12, 132.33.
Tater Baker AA/Funny Car – round one
Tim Boychuk, Scottsdale, Ariz., .094, 5.91, 232.39 def. Justin Taylor, Albany, Ore., .156, 6.30, 222.40.
Shawn Bowen, Goodrich, Mich., .164, 5.80, 246.48 def. Garth Widdison, Hooper, Utah, .201, 6.74, 177.11.
Brad Thompson, Visalia, Calif., .120, 5.80, 229.20 def. Wally Giavia, Klamath Falls, Ore., .187, 5.97, 229.59.
Bill Windham, El Dorado Hills, Calif., .112, 6.15, 230.06 def. Kris Krabill, Kent, Wash., .146, 7.47, 135.96.
AA/Fuel Altered – round one
David Giles, Puyallup, Wash., .173, 7.04, 143.78 def. Matt Leonard, Salt Lake City, Broke.
Todd Miller, Boring, Ore., .148, 6.30, 215.41 def. Tom Padilla, Arlington, Wash., .183, 7.83, 120.56.
Troy Owen, Albany, Ore., .116, 6.13, 206.13 def. Randy Bradford, Camano Island, Wash., .287, 6.70, 180.28.
Dan Hix, Central Point, Ore., .131, 6.13, 211.20 def. Shawn Callen, Boise, .105, 9.24, 97.91.
AA/Funny Car Main Event Final Qualifying
1. Dan Horan Jr., 5.73, 240.59
2. Jason Rupert, 5.74, 252.57
3. Jeff Arend, 5.75, 245.27
4. Mark Sanders, 5.76, 238.55
5. Matt Bynum, 5.78, 253.42
6. John Weaver, 5.79, 243.94
7. Billy Morris, 5.84, 241.76
8. Bobby Cottrell, 5.86, 239.95
AA/Funny Car Tater Baker Final Qualifying
1. Tim Boychuk, 5.91, 240.94
2. Shawn Bowen, 5.95, 244.47
3. Bill Windham, 5.96, 223.84
4. Brad Thompson, 5.96.228.85
5. Wally Giavia, 5.97, 232.03
6. Kris Krabill, 5.97, 222.22
7. John Rice, 6.30, 221.27
8. Justin Taylor, 6.36, 223.47
Alt. Garth Widdison (6.38) and Scott Stanger (7.72)
AA/Fuel Dragster Final Qualifying
1. Mendy Fry, 5.68, 240.81
2. Adam Sorokin, 5.85, 237.71
3. Dusty Green, 5.97, 243.11
4. Tyler Hilton, 6.07, 240.77
5. Bret Williamson, 6.09, 216.27
6. Brendan Murry, 6.18, 185.72
7. Pete Wittenberg, 6.22, 177.28
8. Jim Murphy, 6.58, 150.85
Alt. Phil Ruskowski (7.48)
AA/Fuel Altered Final Qualifying
1. Dan Hix, 6.01, 237.84
2. Troy Owen, 6.03, 243.94
3. Matt Leonard, 6.11, 230.69
4. Todd Miller, 6.14, 237.17
5. Tom Padilla, 6.16, 221.71
6. David Giles, 6.43, 220.58
7. Randy Bradford, 6.51, 223.32
8. Shawn Callen, 7.18, 178.21
Alt. Jim Holtz (7.18)
Xtreme Pro Modified West Final Qualifying
1. Ed Thornton Jr., 5.90, 259.16
2. Mike Doushgounian, 5.92, 249.58
3. Jay Diedrich, 6.01, 241.93
4. Justin Wake, 6.03, 231.56
5. Roger Holder, 6.09, 246.35
6. Garrett Richards, 6.13, 233.88
7. Jeremy Hanger, 6.21, 191.95
8. Karl Wilson, 6.33, 234.00
Alt. Troy Ferry (12.05)
Pepsi Nightfire Nationals
Friday, August 10, 2018
IWS Sales Bracketeer Series
Bracketeer
Dan Lafferty, Wendell, Idaho, .020, 7.18 (7.17 dial) 179.90 def. Steve Kelly, Vancouver, Wash., .039, 10.40 (10.38 dial) 120.50.
Pro
Brandon Umberger, Grand Junction, Colo., .028, 9.36 (9.34 dial) 137.67 def. Jim Coryat, Boise, .059, 8.99 (8.98 dial) 149.31.
Heavy
Zak Pedraza, Boise, .051, 12.59 (12.45 dial) 102.07 def. Ashley Thompson, Camas, Wash., .051, 12.65 (12.48 dial) 105.85.
Sled/Bike
David Wheeler, Murray, Utah, .005, 9.65 (9.57 dial) 139.78 def. Ashton Davis, Middleton, .101, 11.47 (11.43 dial) 113.03.
Lucas Oil Top Fire by CMYK Grafix – Final Full Bodied
1. Judy Radford, Baker City, Ore., 7.47, 183.82
2. Mark Austin, Star, 7.67, 178.68
3. Bob Mueller, Grand Junction, Colo., 7.82, 176.47
4. Joe Hopper, SLC, Utah, 7.84, 179.80
5. Rob Asbury, Yakima, Wash., 8.06, 170.56
6. Kurt Averill, Grand Junction, Colo., 8.10, 165.78
7. Steve Lambert, Boise, 8.11, 170.73
8. Jeremy Wilson, Grand Junction, Colo., 8.13, 165.05
9. Paul Eddins, Rexburg, 8.15, 167.91
10. Dan Gluch, Weiser, 8.20, 165.88
11. Brent Hodson, Selah, Wash., 8.38, 169.47
12. Darrell Toews, Dawson Creek, B.C., 8.41, 8.41, 162.16
13. Rodney Snider, Grand Junction, Colo., 8.48, 160.88
14. Jason Covington, Grand Junction, Colo., 8.60, 151.14
15. Cameron Eddins, Rexburg, 8.80, 156.57
16. Tracy Hawker, Boise, 9.03, 151.61
Lucas Oil Top Fire by CMYK Grafix – Final Open Wheel
1. Dan Lafferty, Wendell, 6.602, 209.43
2. Shane Thompson, Henderson, Nev., 7.03, 192.71
3. Tom Malicki, Brush Prairie, Wash., 7.13, 189.26
4. Tom Clark, Spokane, Wash., 7.142, 288.46
5. Yeshua Wilcox, Bonney Lake, Wash., 7.21, 182.21
6. Blu Hayball, Fort Hall, 7.250, 185.38
7. Duston Wurtz, Nampa, 7.297, 184.90
8. Jim Tattersall, Eden, 7.318, 186.46
9. William Carnell, Murray, Utah, 7.369, 183.69
10. Mark Barnhart, Emmett, 7.386, 183.39
11. Brad Todd, Maridian, 7.410, 181.81
12. Chuck Hawk Jr., Tucson, Ariz., 7.43, 182.67
13. Logan Warr, Erda, Utah, 7.47, 180.86
14. Paige Lundeen, Murray, Utah, 7.52, 176.84
15. Sean Shaffer, Boise, 7.53, 178.17
16. Dairld Wurtz, Nampa, 7.567, 180.02
Pepsi Nightfire Nationals
Thursday, August 9, 2018
IWS Sales Bracketeer Series
Bracketeer
Mark Barnhart, Emmett, .019, 7.46 (7.43 dial) 175.41 def. Don Toia, Tucson, Ariz., .025, 7.80 (7.75 dial) 167.07.
Pro
Brandon Umberger, Grand Junction, Colo., 9.37 (9.32 dial) 138.46 def. Lisa Thomas, .075, 9.99 (9.97 dial) 134.22.
Heavy
Tom Davis, Meridian, .026, 11.86 (11.83 dial) 110.12 def. Joe Witherspoon, Caldwell, -.012, 12.61 (12.71 dial) 105.35.
Sled/Bike
David Wood, Eagle, .013, 9.21 (9.09 dial) 127.58 def. Scott Grondahl, Nampa, .102, 10.21 (10.10 dial) 143.87.
Bracketeer Consolation
Shannon Boepple, Nampa, .019, 7.85 (7.87 dial) 170.26 def. Rodney Snider, Grand Junction, Colo., -.013, 8.57 (8.56 dial) 158.15.
Pro/Heavy Consolation
Stan Deming, Nampa, .039, 10.44 (10.42 dial) 124.93 def. David Deming, Nampa, .018, 10.51 (10.46 dial) 120.60.