BangShift.com Tyler Hilton, Bobby Cottrell And Johnny West Sweep 52nd Nightfire Nationals At Firebird Raceway!

(Pictures by Kim Fuller) • The New Household, organizers of the yearly Nightfire Nationals occasion, held in Eagle, Idaho have a transparent understanding of their viewers and fan base, which at all times brings again children and households and has contributed to the recognition and success of the occasion over time. The truth that this occasion has been working for over 5 a long time means that they’ve been capable of constantly ship a high-quality nitro expertise for all. A lot is geared towards the fan expertise, just like the afternoon driver autograph classes.

After a Friday single qualifying session, the Saturday night time qualifier was, and at all times is, in entrance of a packed crowd. Sunday started with a short rain bathe and after a fast observe drying, the eight-car elimination battles started.

High Gas

Tyler Hester grabbed the quantity qualifying place together with his 5.813 elapsed time. Bret Williamson was second working a 5.817 and Jim Murphy carded a 5.848, with collection champion Tyler Hilton qualifying fourth at 5.867 within the “Nice Expectations” dragster. Shawn Van Horn held onto High Pace for dragsters in his Titan-backed fueler working 257.73 MPH.

Hester and Hilton met within the semis with Hilton (far lane) prevailing and off to fulfill nitro veteran Jim Murphy in his WW2 prime fueler for the ultimate spherical. Murphy defeated Bryan Corridor in his “Nomad” dragster and Bret Williamson, driving “Without end Younger”.

Within the last, Murphy left barely forward of Hilton, whereas Hilton would run the short ET of eliminations with a 5.734 elapsed time at 257.38 MPH to Murphy’s 5.820 ET at 232.23 MPH. Hilton will go into the season ending Nostalgia Nationals with the factors lead over Murphy at Famoso Dragstrip October 13-15.

Nitro Humorous Automobile

After James Day (above) set the humorous automotive class on its collective ass together with his 5.591 elapsed time at 261.02 MPH in a Friday qualifying move, the Matthews Motorsports Camaro would exit within the first spherical of Sunday Eliminations to 3rd technology driver Ryan Horan. Journeyman Horan’s strong 5.711 ET at 255.68 MPH defeated James Day who may solely muster an off-pace 6.852 ET.

Geoff Monise certified second within the stunning ’70 Firebird “Quarter Pounder” tuned by Keith Clark. Monise went out within the Semi’s working an superior 5.682 ET at 253.85 MPH cost Bobby Cottrell’s slower 5.716 ET at 255.48, Cottrell’s holeshot supplied the victory.

Kamaka Pocock driving the “California Hustler” was working with consistency in eliminations a 5.711, 5.788 after a 5.782 for the quantity 4 qualifying place. Proprietor Don Nelson tuned the Lemons Headers-backed ’71 Camaro for the primary time at this occasion, with somewhat assist from his shut buddies.

On his option to a sixth consecutive Firebird title, Bobby Cottrell drove the potent “Northwest Hitter” Camaro to a 5.723/252.99 cost defeating the “California Hustler” Camaro after driver Kamaka Pocock carded a -.368 redlight begin within the Nightfire’s humorous automotive last.

Invoice Windham, driving his “Shakedown” Firebird took a wild journey into the highest finish weeds, rolling the humorous automotive and destroying the physique. He was unable to make the second spherical of eliminations within the Tater Baker B-field, 4-car race, reportedly had minor bumps and bruises after the incident.

AA/Gas Altered

On this 6.0 listed class, eliminations discovered Johnny West prevailing in his blue “Plan A” ’23 Ford T over second-generation proprietor/driver Jason Pettit’s ’48 Fiat Topolino. West’s 6.156 at 253.03 defeated Pettit’s 6.424 at 203.74 MPH.

18-year-old and ‘22 Legends of Nitro Rookie of the 12 months Dylan Winefsky certified fourth, going out to Mark Whynaught within the first spherical, on a holeshot.

Rain halted Nitro Humorous Automobile completion in final Could’s 52nd Ignitor offered by The Blower Store at Firebird Raceway. Drew Austin and Jim Maroney confronted off in that postponed Humorous Automobile last with Drew Austin taking dwelling the Ignitor Occasion Wally.

The ultimate ’23 Heritage Sequence occasion has Grand Marshall Don “The Snake” Prudhomme on the Wally Parks NHRA Nostalgia Nationals and Reunion at Famoso Dragstrip on October 13-15, 2023.

Have a look our Gallery of Pictures by Kim Fuller and see the individuality and ingenuity of right this moment’s NHRA Heritage Sequence Nitro Racers.