Largest crowd ever to attend a drag race? (1 Viewer)

[Mike]

Does anybody have an idea what's the largest crowd to ever attend a drag race, and approximately what year? I'm referring to a single day, not an entire event.

Has anywhere ever gotten legitimately 50,000 spectators at a race on the same day?

 

[sammi]

In the 80's, I can remember sitting shoulder to shoulder with others at the Winternationals.

 

[mgty3whlr]

Kinda hard to tell when NHRA won't release the numbers when they sell out an event.

 

[You!]

Grandstands at the Fairplex were much smaller back in the day hence tighter quarters. I would bet that Gainesville would be the best candidate for largest single day crowd...

 

[Rocket Man]

supposedly the Gators this year was the biggest crowd ever at a drag race. The capacity of the track is listed as 30k.

 

[mick]

M

Thread 'Largest in-person crowd in drag racing history'

Jul 29, 2024

Does anyone have thoughts about when, where, and how many in attendance for the largest crowd in drag racing history?

• Mike
• Replies: 32
• Forum: NHRA

 

[Mike]

M

Thread 'Largest in-person crowd in drag racing history'

Jul 29, 2024

Does anyone have thoughts about when, where, and how many in attendance for the largest crowd in drag racing history?

• Mike
• Replies: 32
• Forum: NHRA

Thank you. I'm old enough to not remember things I posted from 2 years ago.

 

[twostep]

Texas Motorplex opening weekend in 1986 brought in about 30K on Sunday. I was there; my God, what a circus but what an unforgettable weekend. Darrell Gwynn was almost unbeatable that year but Garlits sent him packing in the final. "And the crowd went wild."

 

[TSK]

What about some of the Indy Nationals crowds?

 

[BOO BOO]

Night of Fire @ Norwalk. I think they are in the 40k range

 

[tom]

41,742 march 8th @ houston raceway park

 

[tom]

65,000 feb 7th, 1965 winternationals pomona

 

[GumbyWVU]

Will be interesting to see if the IHRA releases either attendance figures or ticket sales at the very least.

 

[Rocket Man]

felt like only a couple thousand on Saturday

 

[twostep]

65,000 feb 7th, 1965 winternationals pomona

Stockers on Friday due to heavy fog; Saturday wiped out due to rain. Sunday featured 70 (!) fuel dragsters attempting to qualify and racing that started at 7am continued until sunset. Ahhh, those were the days.

 

[Dragracer]

Back when they posted the attendance Gainesville and Pomona were always at the top. Pomona has covered up over 50% of their seats. I doubt that anyone made money this weekend. Not NHRA, or the vendors. I would be surprised if there was more than 25-30 thousand for the whole weekend and that may be a high figure.