or over three decades the New family have been putting on one of the finest and most successful independent drag races at Firebird Raceway near Boise, Idaho, and the 32nd edition was no exception. The Pepsi Nightfire Nationals features a wide variety of drag race cars including Nostalgia Top Fuel (front engine only), unlimited AA/FA's, nostalgia AA/FA, Pro Mods, exhibition cars (wheelstanders and jets), and the bracketeer show is second to none. They even have a class for snowmobiles!

TOP FUEL

Fourteen of the nation's finest FED's (front engine dragsters) were on hand at the Idaho classic event.

After three tough rounds of heavy qualifying, Jack "the Sheriff" Harris in his bright red Keysville, Utah-based "Nitro Thunder" machine was a step ahead of all competitors at 5.88, 250.97 mph. The reigning 2002 Nightfire Champion was the ONLY dragster in the 5's!

New guy Jeff Diehl was doing double duty, driving the RB Enterprises T/F entry and his own "Witch Doctor" AA/FA. Once again the beautiful Spike Gorr-tuned black beauty just missed the 5-second mark with a 6.01 at 231.30 mph. Veteran SoCal racer Howard Haight stepped up to a fine 6.03 at only 213.30 mph for the number three spot.

The fourth qualifier was Jim Murphy. On a scary pass of 6.04/235.25, the steering arm broke and Murphy tapped the guardrail, causing major damage to the famed
WW2/OSH Spl.