Top Fuel

Seven cars made the trip to the Gem State to compete for the Nightfires title. One of the most celebrated cars to show up had so much history behind it there could be a documentary made about it.

Tyler Hilton made the trip from Cincinnati, Ohio, and his father, Bobby, drove the truck and trailer from Virginia to Eagle to race. Tyler’s grandma also made the trip to Idaho.

For those who are longtime fans of the sport, you will recognize the names Jim and Allison Lee. The Lee’s were Top Fuel standouts on the East Coast for many decades. Now the next generation has decided to get into the sport and keep the family tradition alive. At the age of 80 Allison Lee is still as feisty and full of life as ever, and still knows which end of a wrench to hold and isn’t afraid to get some grease on her hands.

The other East Coast representative was the reigning World Champion Tony Bartone. Bartone has been a fixture at this race for many years. This will be his last Nightfires in a Top Fuel Car, as he and his brother Michael have decided that 2017 will be the year of the funny car for them. “We have nothing left to prove here in top fuel, and Michael wants to give funny car a try so that is what we are doing” opined Bartone.

At the conclusion of Friday night’s Q1 session it was current Top Fuel points leader, Adam Sorokin, who had taken the number-one spot at 5.87/221.05, followed by Bartone, March Meet winner Rick Williamson, Jim Murphy, Tyler Hilton, Bret Williamson, and closing out the field, Dusty Green.

After Saturday afternoon’s Q2 session, there was only one change as Bartone and Sorokin swapped places, Bartone taking the top spot at 5.82 and 235.64 mph.

Saturday evening’s Q3 conditions were spectacular as a cloud cover kept the direct sun off the track and a slight breeze cooled the temperatures to a comfortable 89 degrees. This session for the long skinny cars proved to be the most dramatic.

Bartone got everybody’s attention running a stellar 5.66/255.63 lap. Bartone, as many of you know, never drives the Steve Boggs tune up much farther than 1000 or 1100 feet. This night the car went to the stripe under power.