- Motorsport fans get excited about the performance of supercars
- Indy Cars or F1 racing cars are often missing a vital point
- It may have a smaller international profile
Motorsport fans who get excited about the performance of supercars, Indy Cars or F1 racing cars are often missing a vital point. Drag racers would beat any of them in a straight sprint… easily.
It may have a smaller international profile and doesn’t make the celebrity media as often, but drag racing is where true die-hard speed lovers can really get excited.
Drag racing combines raw power and a symphony of roaring engines. Drivers simply compete head-to-head, pushing the limits of acceleration and engineering prowess.
When the signal lights flash, the cars catapult down the straight track with an earth-shaking roar, leaving behind trails of burning rubber and billowing clouds of exhaust. In an instant, they reach mind-boggling speeds similar to the takeoff of a fighter jet.
Forget comparing Ferrari and Lamborghini 0-60phm times, an 11,000-horsepower Top Fuel dragster goes from 0 to 100 mph in less than a second.
A motorsports drag race. Photo/YouTube
The NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) is the governing body for professional drag racing. Founded in 1951 by colourful writer Wally Parks, the NHRA regulates drag racing at every level, from home-spun grassroots events to the top professional competitions.
Parks was the editor of Hot Rod magazine and used his profile to promote safety and regulation in the emerging sport. Winners of NHRA nationals are still awarded a trophy known as a ‘Wally’.
Today the organisation oversees racing categories like Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, Pro Mod and Sportsman classes. Each has its own regulations for everything from vehicle specifications to safety standards.
The Top Fuel category is often considered the pinnacle. With massive supercharged V8 engines, Top Fuel dragsters accelerate from 0 to 330+ mph in seconds.
Whether you are an enthusiast choosing fabulous new Cragar wheels to give a motorsport vibe to your own car or a professional racer heading towards your next championship trophy, the NHRA is the heart of what makes drag racing tick.
Picking five of the top drag racers of all time demonstrates the history, spread and excitement of the sport.
Don Garlits
Number one in any list must be “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, one of the drag pioneers. He revolutionized the sport with the rear-engine dragster, which improved safety and performance.
John Force
With an incredible 16 NHRA Funny Car championships to his name, the charismatic Force is one of the most successful drag racers in history. Today Force’s team’s dominance has solidified his status as a legend.
Shirley Muldowney
Shirley Muldowney. Photo/YouTube
The First Lady of Drag Racing shattered gender barriers becoming the first woman to earn a Top Fuel championship. She won three championships during her career and inspired generations of female racers.
Bob Glidden
With 10 championships and 85 national event wins, Glidden’s dominance in the Pro Stock category remains unparalleled. His meticulous preparation, consistency, and exceptional driving cemented his legacy.
Kenny Bernstein
The King of Speed achieved remarkable success in Funny Car and Top Fuel categories. He was the first to break the 300mph barrier in a Funny Car – and first to exceed 300 mph in a Top Fuel dragster too.
The sport always has new drivers appearing though. Fans are expecting big things from the current up-and-coming stars.
John Force team’s young star Austin Prock has become famous as ‘the driver who punched his car’, injuring his hand, when he become frustrated with it last season.
But he’ll be up against tough opponents like the Dodge team driver Cruz Pedregon looking for a third championship and former NHRA Rookie of the Year Camrie Caruso of KB Titan.
The stage is set for the exciting upcoming August program that includes NHRA nationals at Menards, Topeka, Kansas, Brainerd, Minnesota and the Dodge Nationals in Indianapolis, Illinois.
In drag racing the outcome of every race is never certain – but one thing is guaranteed: the ground will tremble and mesmerizing tire tracks will leave an image of pure velocity. Drag racing is ALWAYS a thrill.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login