Coming Soon: The NHRA's Greatest Races (2 Viewers)

[Billy]

I'm pretty sure Force's first win was not televised so i'm not sure if there would be any video of it.

That's correct. In fact, we have the 1988 Springnationals coming up in the series where John won for the first time on American soil and he says to Steve in the top end interview following the final round, "Diamond P wasn't there in Montreal! They are this time!"

 

[NYNitro86]

I can't believe i forgot one key race I'd like to see, Englishtown 94' when Kurt Johnson wins $75,000 in 2 days by being the first 6 sec pro stock run (I was there for that ) and then winning the pro stock challenge on saturday night only to go to the semi finals and lose to i think the eventual winner Larry Morgan on sunday.

 

[Raconteur]

It's a good show, just watched episode #1 on FOX Sports South, featuring funny cars at the '83 US Nationals.

Catch one of the showings today on a FOX Sports Channel near you or MSG.

 

[stanzig44]

Great job Bill!
That was a good first episode.
Can't wait for more.

 

[scooter]

I already can't wait for next week. I hope this show goes longer than the thirteen shows scheduled.

 

[CrewGuy]

That's correct. In fact, we have the 1988 Springnationals coming up in the series where John won for the first time on American soil and he says to Steve in the top end interview following the final round, "Diamond P wasn't there in Montreal! They are this time!"

Isn't that the interview in which he declared he was going to name his newborn "Wally" or "Oscar"??

 

[Billy]

Yup, that's the one. Classic Force. And thanks for the thumbs up on the show. The plan is to produce another 13 this spring. I'll keep everyone in the loop on that.

 

[CrewGuy]

Great show. I wish NHRA would have those tapes remastered. Bill, where did you shoot the show?

 

[PJ]

My only complaint, and its just out of greed, is I want more than a 1/2 hour

Great show, I can't wait to see more.

 

[Billy]

Great show. I wish NHRA would have those tapes remastered. Bill, where did you shoot the show?

The tapes are on various formats and have been sitting dormant for over 30 years in some cases. Had digital technology existed back then, there would be no issues with image degradation. We're fortunate that many of the show masters have survived as long as they have and we're having to have a specialist make dubs of them to avoid tape breakage.

The host segments were shot at Roger Burgess' shop in Duluth, GA, R2B2 Racing. I can't say enough about how important Roger has been in the production of this series. Every drag racing fan in the world owes him a debt of thanks for how much he does for the benefit of the sport.

 

[Just Paul]

Next week is going to be great!!!! Top Fuel, and "musical motors" in the pits. I bet Shirley is still pissed about that!

Also, Gary Beck and his manual high speed lean out lever..oops!

 

[Bob]

Excellent show Bill!! I really enjoy the format. Cannot wait for next week's episode!

 

[Toejam]

JUst watched it, excellent show! John Force wasn't nearly as Hyper in those days!

 

[vegasnitro]

JUst watched it, excellent show! John Force wasn't nearly as Hyper in those days!

No, but he was still talking crazy ... share the money with the Christmas tree. LOL.

I found it VERY interesting that Force was in the infancy of his pro career, and it was mentioned several times by the announcers and even once by Force himself how he struggled with the tree. He said he wasn't afraid of Prudhomme or McEwen, but the tree scared him to death. Seems Ashley's apple didn't fall too far from the Force family tree. If she gets it figured out the same way her old man did (and most indications are she's well on her way), then everyone else in Funny Car better look out.

Also thought it was interesting that Bernstein was already wearing his Copart hat in the interviews.

Good show all the way around, can't wait for more as I am not old enough to remember most of the races being featured ... and this has even further whetted my appetite for some pre-season testing in a couple of weeks ...

 

[Dave]

Isn't that the interview in which he declared he was going to name his newborn "Wally" or "Oscar"??

For some reason I remember that interview like it was yesterday:

Force: Yeah, 6:00, my wife, they're trying to induce labor right now, she's overdue.....I was gonna name it (baby) Oscar, if I won, but I ain't doin' it."

Steve Evans: "She Oscar?"

Force: He or she, whatever. She said if you win, we'll call it Oscar or Columbus".

All I can say is thank God John and Laurie decide to name that baby, Courtney. Would have been a damn shame for such a beauiful girl to be called Oscar. Kinda reminds me of "A Boy Named Sue" type of thing.

Dave

 

[rocketman]

Wow finally good drag racing news of some kind! Great idea Bill. And are you the same guy that does that syndicated 2 minute trivia bit?

 

[Billy]

Wow finally good drag racing news of some kind! Great idea Bill. And are you the same guy that does that syndicated 2 minute trivia bit?

Yes, that's me on "Time Capsule", a radio feature that's been syndicated nationwide since 1980.

 

[Bullard Anderson]

Great show!

 

[Paul]

I watched it last night, great job Bill! To make it even better, Bernstein was the main driver highlighted.

 

[.]

Missed it. Will it be re-aired?