August 12-14, 2005, Boise, ID - The Nightfire Nationals at Firebird Raceway is one of the oldest and most firmly established events in drag racing. It is also an event that the Nitro Thunder team has consistently done well at. 2005 was no exception as Brett "The Sheriff" Harris came out on the top of pile over a great field of Top Fuel cars from all over the West.

On Friday, before things got hectic, NHRA Tech Official Tony Nance got his thrill for the weekend when Brett offered him a fire-up in Nitro Thunder.

Brett explains the procedures to start the car.

With the 3500 horsepower engine running you can bet that under that breather is one big smile.

The first qualifying session was held Friday evening. Harris was paired with Jason Richey.

Harris left hard and was on a good pass until he got out of the groove on the top end and took out the last cone. He ran a 6.04 but due to the infraction the time was disallowed.

The second qualifying session was in the heat of Saturday afternoon. Harris was paired with Lee Jennings.

No cone on this pass as Harris cards a nice 6.06 at 244 which would put and keep him in the # 2 qualifying position.

At the end of the run track personnel pick up Brett's chutes as he climbs out of the car.

The third and last qualifying session was held Saturday night with Howard Haight in the other lane. Harris was alternated into the less favored right lane.

Both cars left good but Harris got loose down track and wisely shut it down.

Firebird track owner Bill New (right) presented Jack "The Sheriff" Harris with the very special Jaker Award during the Key Bank Saturday Night Thunder during the Pepsi Nightfire Nationals.

Harris first came to Firebird with a twin-engined Fueler called "Bad Hombre" back in 1969. Spanning a career that dates back many, many years, Harris was acknowledged as the third recipient of the special New family heritage honor that is presented to a Professional team owner and/or driver that has helped, supported and endorse the raceway over the years.

Prior to eliminations Sunday morning the drivers and crews walked the track to evaluate its condition and how they would set up the cars.

Back at the car Brett and Kenny are trying to keep cool.

The crew behind the water box and ready to fire-up prior to the first round of eliminations on Sunday morning.

Brett gets focused.

Harris drew the stout Chevy car of Brendan Murry for the first round.

Harris left first and was never challenged as Murry got out of the groove, smoked the tires, and shut off. Brett clocked a solid 6.09 at 244. This is a nice sequence of shots of Brett's run.

No this is not Groundhog Day, just a repeat of round one. Brendan Murry got back in under the break rule when Jerry Krume Jr. couldn't make the call. By virtue of low ET Harris had lane choice and kept Murry in the narrow grooved right side.

Final check from Brett and Jack moves into the staging beams.

Jack Harris pulls the idle plug and the data computer is turned on just before the cars roll into the staging beams.

Unlike the first round, this was a good drag race. Both cars left together.

On the top end the Nitro Thunder horsepower prevailed clocking a 6.04 at 245 (top speed of the meet) win. Murry was right there with a 6.19.

The final round didn't go off until after dark and pitted Brett Harris against Howard Haight.

Just before both cars moved into stage Haight was shut off with an oil leak. Harris made a 1000' pass for the title.