Nightfire Nationals at Boise

Words by Brian Losness - Photos by Brian Losness and James Drew

For thirty-nine years the New family and Firebird Raceway have put on one of the largest independent drag races in the United States and for most of those years the race featured AA/FC and AA/FD race teams as the headliners. This year’s version of the Pepsi Nightfire Nationals did not disappoint. Record-setting performances in front of capacity crowds was par for the course at this year’s Nightfire Nationals including new track records in both Pro Mod and AA/FC.

AA/FD

Only nine AA/FD’s made the trip to Boise for the 2010 Nightfire Nationals that offered those racers a 16-car qualified field. The low turnout in the Top Fuel class reflects the problems the class is experiencing regarding too many rules, too few races and the increasing expense of racing a Top Fuel car.  

One of the major players who was missing is the “Passo Posse” team belonging to John Rodeck. Rodeck is reportedly disgusted with the Top Fuel scene after building and selling just one of his billet aluminum blocks so far in 2010. He reportedly is selling the remainder of his business interests and racing operations with the idea of relocating  to Lewiston, Idaho.

There might have been a shortage of AA/FD’s but those who showed up were hitters. Brett Harris in the “Nitro Thunder” Top Fueler held down the pole position with a very stout 5.81-second run. Right behind Harris was Brad Thompson at the wheel of the High Speed Motorsports fueler with a 5.86 run that also delivered the Top Speed of the meet at 252.66 mph.