Night Under Fire Live!

 It is a truly unbelievable sight to see this many people out here for this event at 10:00am! We know that everyone loves the ACDelco Night Under Fire presented by Amalie Motor Oil, but this year’s response is just simply over the top. The staging lanes are full, the crowd is growing, and we can’t see to see anyone that’s not smiling. And that’s not to mention the outright grins that we’ve encountered. Get in the car and come on out for this unequalled show. We’ll be here all day in case you can’t be. Stay tuned to the biggest one-day drag race in the world!

12:45 - We are working through the first round of time trials with an unbelievable number of cars here for this show. It appears that it’s not just spectators want to be a part of this dynamic program. The first round of qualifying for R&R Auto Body Extreme 16 is scheduled to go at 2:00. It will only get hotter from then on out!

3:30 - After a few mechanical surprises at mid-track, the first round of Extreme 16 is in the books. times in the 4.03 second range and speeds around 178 mph were the norm, and this is just the first round! Jim Head made the first Nitro Funny Car test pass of the day with a half-track shutoff.

5:15 - The second round of Extreme 16 qualifying is complete. Edward Capooin is low qualifier with a 3.921/188.46 blast. Tom Martino sits on the bump spot at 4.674/148.16. The opening ceremony is scheduled for 6:00pm.

8:45 - The first show round just ended with the Nitro Funny Cars looking like this:

Budweiser (Right) Lane: Robert Hight runs 6.637/97.03
Summit (Left) Lane: Jim Head runs 5.536/127.33 ***WINNER***

Budweiser (Right) Lane: Cruz Pedregon runs 7.792/92.40
Summit (Left) Lane: Tony Pedregon runs 4.259/276.52 ***WINNER***

Budweiser (Right) Lane: Dan Wilkerson runs 4.252/240.59 ***WINNER***
Summit (Left) Lane: Tim Wilkerson runs 4.344/271.73

Budweiser (Right) Lane: Ashley Force runs 4.242 ***WINNER***
Summit (Left) Lane: John Force runs 4.314/263.92

12:30 - Dan Wilkerson is the 2008 Nitro Funny Car champion of Night Under Fire. The show concluded at about 11:30 after a brief rain shower and track drying session. Sportsman elimination are about to resume and will likely run into the early morning hours.

More photos and insight to follow in the coming days… Our friend Sal ” Frekin Rican” Ramos was in the thick of things and will be sharing some of his pictures with us as the week goes on.

Sal also took out his new Alcohol Funny car for the first time, and wow…what a ride he had.  As a side note this car is going to be the Premier Funny Car in Nitro Dogs Racing real soon.  Nitro Dogs Racing is currently negotiating with various sponsors for the ‘09 racing season and has one under contract as of August 1.  We will be making an announcement in the coming days that will unveil our strategic alliance with an up and coming company based in Houston, Texas.

So keep watching for more details. Also coming soon the Nitro Dogs t-shirts and accessories will be available.