Garrett Bateman in Steve Plueger's "Plueger & Gyger" Ford Mustang defeated Leah Pruett-LeDuc in the Pruett-Jennings "Heart Breaker" Ford Mustang in the final round at the Fuel Energy Beverage 33rd Annual Nitro Nite Of Fire at Sacramento Raceway Park to take the Nitro Nite Of Fire Crown. This was also the second event on the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series Funny Car Championship Points Chase.

Pruett-LeDuc did her part by leaving on Bateman with a .079 reaction time to Bateman's .161 but didn't have enough to hold off the 5.963 @ 237.97 of Bateman with her 6.063 @ 246.62.

Bright sunshine, high humidity, and an air temperature of over 110 degrees was on tap for Saturday as the final day's festivities got underway. During qualifying yesterday Dennis LaCharite was held up on the line while waiting for the Pruett-Jennings team had a problem latching the body. Subsequently LaCharite went up in smoke. Race promoters Lisa and Lee Paul Jennings schedule a make up qualifying session for LaCharite in his "Back In Black" GTO before noon, which carded LaCharite a 6.285 @ 231.07 which move him temporarily into the 6th qualifying postition.

The final round of qualifying kicked off with the track temp hovering in the 140 degree range and yet there were still improvements and movement in the qualifying order.

Garrett Bateman in the "Plueger & Gyger" Ford Mustang, Leah Pruett-LeDuc in the "Heart Breaker" Ford Mustang, and Bucky Austin in the "Northwest Hitter" Plymouth Arrow remained in the top 3 qualifying positions without improving on their earlier passes.

#4 Qualifier Mark Sanders in the "Mr. Explosive" Chevrolet Nova bettered his time with a 6.124 @ 236.14 but didnt get any movement in the ladder.

#5 Qualifier Mendy Fry also bettered her earlier qualifying pass with a 6.145 @ 233.82

#6 Qualifier Dennis LaCharite in his "Back In Black" Pontiac GTO bettered his run from earlier in the day with a 6.149 @ 228.46.

#7 Qualifier Josh Crawford laid down his career best pass in his Ford Mustang with a 6.279 @ 232.78

#8 Qualifier Chris Bennett in the "Pure Heaven" Chevrolet Camaro improved over his first round time with a 6.436 @ 224.49

Final Eliminations kicked off around 5 pm with the track temperature still hovering around 115 degrees or better and the air temperature still well over 100 degrees. Talk about some hardcore fans in the stands and at the rail.

Round 1

In the first pairing of the opening round #5 Qualifier Mendy Fry in "McCain's Bomb Squad" Plymouth Duster defeated #4 Qualifier Mark Sanders in the "Mr. Explosive" Chevrolet Nova with a 6.249 @ 234.05 when Sanders lost traction off the starting line and carded an on and off the throttle 7.355 @ 214.46.

In the upset of the round, #6 Qualifier Dennis LaCharite in the "Back In Black" Pontiac GTO defeated #3 Qualifier Bucky Austin in the "Northwest Hitter" Plymouth Arrow on a hole shot with a 6.273 @ 233.27 to the trailing and quicker Austin's 6.262 @ 233.11.

#1 Qualifier Garrett Bateman in the "Plueger & Gyger" Ford Mustang defeated Chris Bennett in the "Pure Heaven" Chevrolet Camaro with a 6.077 @ 230.36 to Bennett's 6.497 @ 224.32.

In the final pairing of the round #1 Qualifier Leah Pruett-LeDuc in the "Heart Breaker" Ford Mustang defeated #7 Qualifier Josh Crawford in his Ford Mustang with a 6.073 @ 250.37 when Crawford red lit ending his day early.

Round 2

Garrett Bateman in the "Plueger & Gyger" Ford Mustang defeated Mendy Fry in "McCain's Bomb Squad" Plymouth Duster with a 5.941 @ 232.34 to Fry's trailing 6.200 @ 239.67.

Leah Pruett-LeDuc in the "Heart Breaker" Ford Mustang defeated Dennis LaCharite in the "Back In Black" Pontica GTO with a 6.136 @ 243.77 to LaCharite's 6.234 @ 232.60.

Sacramento Raceway Park's crew led by Paul Brandner did an outstanding job on the racing surface all weekend long, especially considering the air and track temperatures involved. We saw 5 second passes in both the right and left lanes with the much maligned left lane seeing two 5 second passes, the first 250 mph pass by a AA/FC, and Bateman winning the event in that lane in the final round.

The crowd was light on Friday which in today's economy is to be expected. The crowd on Saturday was great even though it had to be one of the hottest days seen in Sacramento in many years. They were treated to Outlaw Pro Mods, Jet Funny Cars, Wheelstanders, AA/FA's, and a dozen cackle cars for the inaugural "Cacklemania". An excellent show by any standard, especially the fans.