THE 42ND ANNUAL PEPSI NIGHTFIRE NATIONALS IS ANOTHER SMOKIN’ SUCCESS

Temperatures were cookin’ this year. Afternoon heat pushed the corrected altitude to nearly 7,000 feet of oxygen-deprived, hot air as thermometers climbed into the upper 90s and track temps hovered near 140°F. Fortunately, cooler, nighttime temps helped ease the sweat-factor, which paved the way for better performance figures.

More than a dozen Funny Cars vied for the eight Eliminator slots. Qualifying was lead by John Hale at 5.84-241.22 In the finals, he shocked the crowd with the second quickest Funny Car run in track history at 5.77-248.20 to beat #3 qualifier Dan Horan Jr.’s 5.94-231.66.

After qualifying on the pole with a 6.03-241.41, Goodguys President Marc Meadors faced off against #2 qualifier and defending champ Dan Myers for the Nightfire crown. Myers, wheeling Don Carter’s Camaro, got crossed up, giving the win to Meadors.

Brett Harris led the Top Fuel field with a 5.80-247.38. He went on to score his fourth Nightfire championship on a single when #3 qualifier Jim Murphy couldn’t answer the final round bell.

Pro Mod featured a strong 11- car field fighting for eight spots. After qualifying on the pole with a 6.03-241.41, Goodguys President Marc Meadors faced off against #2 qualifier and defending champ Dan Myers for the Nightfire crown. Myers, wheeling Don Carter’s Camaro, got crossed up, giving the win to Meadors.

The race also featured an $80,000 purse for the Meridian Automotive & Machine Bracketeer Series. Nightly champions in the oldest major bracket tournament in America included: Ryan Cook, John Shaffer, Bud Preuss and Blu Hayball. The four-night Overall Points Championships were awarded to: Bracketeer-Shaffer, Pro-Dustin Martin, Heavy-Karl Martin and Craig Jensen in Sled/Bike. DR

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