Nightfire Nationals at Boise Words by Jeff Burk Photos by Brian Losness and Mike Basso 8/18/04

he Nightfire Nationals at Firebird Raceway in Boise, Idaho is one of just a few independent, multiple day  "national events" featuring professional class cars that is still succeeding in drag racing. This year once again the New family put together a four-day program that had a little something for everyone's taste. For the bracket racers there was a four-day marathon with a $60,000 cash purse. The race also offered racers and fans a myriad of classes including a Quick 16 made up of eight door cars and eight dragsters. But the main attraction for fans was the professional classes.

The New family, who have owned and promoted the track since it was built, know the secret to putting on the biggest, most successful motorsports event in terms of spectators in the state of Idaho...NITRO, NITRO, NITRO!!!

There were two dozen nitro burners on the premises including 11 VRA-legal Nostalgia Top Fuelers qualifying for eight spots and 13 (that's right, I said 13!) nitro burning fuel altereds. For most hard-core fans just seeing 13 of those mind bending, evil handling cars make laps at one race is worth a trip and the price of a ticket.

TOP FUEL

Among those trying to make the elite eight-car Top Fuel field were defending VRA World Champ Jim Murphy and his nemesis Jack "the Sheriff" Harris. Both drivers shoed their cars to the top of the qualifying list with five-second passes.