What's the best drag race you ever attended? (5 Viewers)

[Mike]

What is the best drag race you ever went to? I cannot remember the exact year, but one that stands out was in the early 2000s when Chicago had a 2nd race in the fall with the Jegs All Stars.

Cool weather led to a record quick TAD field and the pro cars were hauling. Someone set the PS national record. I remember the record but can't remember the racer. Could've been Greg Anderson.

 

[luxexpress]

Probably the 1992 Keystone Nationals. First TF 4.7x, first FC 5.0x and first PS 7.0x

 

[stitcherbob]

The races I attended always had something big happen, but did it make the whole race great? I was at Englishtown when Johnny West crashed and went off the end unconscious but survived. I was at Reading when Joe Amato and Shirley Muldowney ran the quickest ever side by side TF race. I was again at the Summernationals when Eddie Hill ran a full track wheelie and landed it perfectly instead of blowing over.
But the 1990 Keystone Nationals was the most memorable. I got there late because of massive traffic. I was sent to the spectator side as the pit side seats were sold out. Oildowns and a bad electrical storm delayed the finals until 10pm. I stayed because my favorites were still in it and so did most of the huge crowd. All of my guys won. It was worth the wait. I won't spoil the video below....classic Dave McClelland and Steve Evans announcing...
It was Gary Ormsby's last season as he died of cancer the next year....
The drive out of the heavily wooded track was spooky as our headlights illuminated lines of local Amish on their bicycles.

And Eddie Hill's run against Dick LaHaie

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7478087318595783966

 

[Axman]

1971 US Nationals. My first drag race and I got to meet Big Daddy and see his rear engine car. Made a lifelong fan that weekend

 

[mick]

as a kid attending one of the world series of drag racing at cordova in the late 1970's. (approx 10-12 years old) ran around that sandbox with best buddy growing up.
his dad helped a local racer, and us two probably had about $5 in our pockets and were on our own all day long. in the stands, back to pits, filthy dirty,
hooked for life ..... first two nat. events were also memorable. brainerd '88 and indy '89. (22-23 yrs. old)

 

[Prestaged]

1971 US Nationals. My first drag race and I got to meet Big Daddy and see his rear engine car. Made a lifelong fan that weekend

That was my first national event, too, and still my favorite, followed closely by Indy 1973. You and I are old!

 

[Rich D]

Probably the 1992 Keystone Nationals. First TF 4.7x, first FC 5.0x and first PS 7.0x

Too funny, I was just about to post the exact same event. What a race. The Mac Attack dragster of that year, is one of my all-time favorites.

 

[ZWeinstein]

Hard to pick just one, but if I have to it would have to be Phoenix in 2018. My buddy Scott Palmer went to the finals and afterwards there was one legendary party thrown afterwards. They ended up firing up the dragster and whacked the throttle 11 times. It was insane, I did not leave the track until about 1am and the party was still going on. Other highlights from that weekend included the national speed record in Top Fuel being set three times on Friday. Shooting with my mentor and friend Gil Rebilas in the stands on Friday and getting a really good fireball shot of Tommy Johnson. Local guy Greg Carrillo making the semis and facing Scott, the only time I ever "rooted" against a local guy. An insane pedalfest between Billy Torrence and Doug Kalitta in rd. 1. Josh Townsend in I believe Steve Plueger's car winning his first round after Beckman banged the blower right off the line and of course John Force & Jonnie Lindberg's crash in Rd. 2

Honorable mentions for Sonoma 2015 and the Finals at Pomona that same year.

 

[Ugly Duckling race team]

There is really 3 that stand out for me personally

back in 1998 I was 10 at the finals in Pomona My dad took me there and I remember seeing a game on the midway to play so I told him I was going to play the game and he didn't hear me so needless to say I went one way and he went another and while he spent the entire race trying to find me I was out having the time of my life watching all the races meeting all of the drivers and watching the Bud shootout among every other event they had that day. Needless to say after the race when they finally found me and I felt the hand of god land against my shoulder he did all he could to be mad at me but pretty sure my smile along with the bags of hero cards and autographs he saw me with made him change his tune pretty quick.

back in 2011 my first trip to Bakersfield for the Hot Rod reunion. Just to be at a track with so much history and get the feel of being back into roots where it wasnt about who had the most money or nicest cars but everyone was out enjoying themselves and see the amount of nostalgia that race brought out was just awesome to watch

2025 Indy .... For my birthday this year again Dad and I went on another adventure to finally make it to the Big Go and needless to say it didnt let me down. again between all of the classes and just being struck in aw at the facility and to know the history of everyone that has raced there and to watch everyone racing for what is widely considered our super bowl. Mix that with the beyond excellent weather conditions this year held and seeing a few one off cars and excellent side x side racing.

 

[Professional Fan]

For me it was Reading 2012. I was a huge V Gaines fan and the finals were rained out on Sunday. For the only time in all my years of going to the races I stayed over rather than flying back to California. Got to see what turned out to be V's last win. I am a big Frank Manzo fan and got to see his 100th win that Monday as well.

 

[cknight]

1965 US Nationals.

 

[T.Smith]

1984 U.S. Nationals. Garlits wins Indy.

 

[aakar]

Every race @ US 30 that had Nitro match racing and Run Tuff Eliminator

 

[camaro]

1974 Summer Nationals. Larry Lombardo, driving for Grumpy Jenkins, pulled the holeshot of the century on the Gapp & Roush 4 door 'Tijuana Taxi', for the win and in FC, the Jungle Jim Vega, Popped a 3/4 track wheel stand in the Final against Al Segrini's Black Magic Vega

 

[onfire]

Indy ‘67…………

 

[TSK]

In no particular order.
Indy ‘79. The 25th anniversary.
Tulsa National Challenge ‘72 and ‘73.
Ennis 1992. The Cruzer/Force FC final is still referred to as one of the most exciting ever.
Beeline Dragway 1970 for the Gas Ronda benefit race.