1991 NHRA Northstar Nationals

The 1991 edition of the NHRA Northstar Nationals from the home track of yours truly, Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minnesota.  Watch for nitro funny car drivers Richard Hartman and Jack Wyatt and major fires they experience, but each driver come out of, unharmed.  Dave McLelland and Steve Evans, call the action for ESPN SpeedWorld.

1991 IHRA Fall Nationals

The finale of the 1991 IHRA season, the Fall Nationals from Bristol Dragway in Bristol, Tennessee.  Bob Varsha, Ted Jones, and Bret Kepner call the action of the season finale for ESPN Speedworld.

1980 NHRA U.S. Nationals

The 1980 NHRA U.S. Nationals from IRP (Indianapolis Raceway Park) in Clermont, Indiana.  Dave McLelland and the late, great Steve Evans, call the action.

1988 NHRA U.S. Nationals

From Indianapolis Raceway Park in Clermont, Indiana, it's the biggest drag race of the year, the 1988 running of the NHRA U.S. Nationals,  Paul Page, Steve Evans, and "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, call all the action for Diamond P Sports.

1988 NHRA Le Grandnational

From Sanair Dragway in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the only stop for the NHRA north of the border for a number of years, it's the 1988 Le Grandnational.  Paul Page, Steve Evans, and "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, call the action for Diamond P Sports.

An added bonus.  Here are the Sportsman categories also racing in Montreal at Sanair.  Once again, Paul Page, Steve Evans, and "Big Daddy" Don Garlits call the racing action.  The classes shown are Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Competition Eliminator, and Super Comp. 

1976 NHRA World Finals

From the Diamond P Sports archives, it is the final race of the 1976 NHRA drag racing season, the World Finals from Ontario Motor Speedway in Ontario, California, a track that no longer exists.  Dave McLelland in the booth, and Frank Farino in the pits/staging area, call the action. 

1990 NHRA Jolly Rancher Candies Northwest Nationals

The 1990 running of the NHRA Jolly Rancher Candies Northwest Nationals from Seattle International Raceway in Kent, Washington.  Dave McLelland and Steve Evans call the action for ESPN SpeedWorld.  Also, watch for Frank Kramberger, an east coast funny car driver, who, on his first trip to a race out west, ended up with a major fire, but came out of it, thankfully, unharmed.

1979 NHRA Summernationals

Five parts of the race broadcast of the 1979 NHRA Summernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, in Englishtown, New Jersey, a.k.a. E-Town.  Dave McLelland and Steve Evans call the action for Diamond P Sports.

1988 NHRA U.S. Nationals

The biggest drag race of them all, the U.S. Nationals from Indianapolis Raceway Park in Clermont, Indiana, with coverage from American Sports Cavalcade.  Steve Evans, Paul Page, and "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, call the action.

1989 NHRA Fallnationals

The penultimate race of the 1989 NHRA Winston Drag Racing season, from Firebird Raceway in Phoenix, Arizona, it's the Fallnationals.  ESPN Speedworld provides the coverage, anchored by Dave McLelland, and Steve Evans.

1986 NHRA Winston World Finals

The final event of the 1986 NHRA season, the Winston World Finals at the L.A. County Fairplex in Pomona, California.

1987 NHRA Budweiser Summernationals

All five segments of the 1987 NHRA Budweiser Summernationals from Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey, A.K.A. "E Town".  Paul Page and Steve Evans call all the action for American Sports Cavalcade on The Nashville Network. 

Ready For The Road - Eddie Hill

From YouTube user Dave W.

A brief segment with Eddie Hill going over the workings of a top fuel dragster.  Watch the video on YouTube itself.  The link cannot be accessed through the blog. 

1988 NHRA Summernationals

From a steamy Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey, also known as E Town, it is the 1988 NHRA Summernationals on NBC Sportsworld.  Gary Gerould, Steve Evans, and “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, call all the racing action. The broadcast is divided here, into five parts.

1994 IHRA Mid America Nationals

1994 IHRA Mid-America Nationals in Scribner, NE. featuring a Top Fuel Final smokefest & Jack Ostrander fire on the return road -- Top Fuel -- Pro Mod -- Pro Stock -- Alcohol Funny Car.  Bob Varsha, Ted Jones, and Bret Kepner, have the call.

1982 Winston World Finals

The final event of the 1982 NHRA season, the Winston World Finals held at Orange County International Raceway in Irvine, California.  You know the familiar faces and voices of the two calling this race.  Dave McLelland, and Steve Evans.

1988 NHRA MId-South Nationals

Race number four on the 1988 NHRA championship trail in, “the home of the Delta blues”, Memphis, Tennessee, at Memphis Motorsports Park.  Paul Page, Steve Evans, and “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, call the action on American Sports Cavalcade on The Nashville Network.

1990 Northstar Nationals

The 1990 edition of the Northstar Nationals from Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minnesota.  The home track of yours truly.

                                           

1985 Winston World Finals

The final event of the 1985 NHRA season, the Winston World Finals, at the L.A. County Fairplex in Pomona, California.  Dave McLelland calls the action for the Finals, and the Top Fuel Cragar Weld Wheel Classic.

1988 NHRA World Finals

The finale, crowning the champions of the 1988 NHRA Winston Drag Racing season, the World Finals at the L.A. County Fairplex in Pomona, California on NBC Sportsworld, with commentary from Gary Gerould, Steve Evans, and “BIg Daddy” Don Garlits.

1988 NHRA Gatornationals

From Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Florida, the 1988 running of the NHRA Gatornationals.  We join American Sports Cavalcade and commentators, Paul Page, the late, great Steve Evans, and “Big Daddy” Don Garlits.

1986 NHRA Spring Nationals

From National Trail Raceway in Columbus, Ohio, it is the 22nd renewal of the NHRA Spring Nationals, an event that first appeared on the calendar in 1964.

You will note, once again, there are two versions of the race broadcast, including a shorter version, and a longer, more detailed one.  Watch, in both versions, for a big crash and fire involving Australian nitro funny car driver, Gary Philips, who ends up in the front yard of a farmer’s house.

1992 NHRA Winston Invitational

From Rockingham Dragway in the sand hills of North Carolina, here is the 1992 running of the NHRA non points dash for cash, the Winston Invitational.  Steve Evans, Brock Yates, and "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, call the action.

1991 NHRA Summernationals

The 1991 running of the NHRA Summernationals from Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey.  Covering the race for NBC SportsWorld are Don Criqui, Steve Evans, and “Big Daddy” Don Garlits.

1987 NHRA World Finals

The NHRA World Finals, the curtain closer on the 1987 NHRA championship drag racing season from the L.A. County Fairgrounds in Pomona, California.  ESPN and Diamond P Sports cover the action with commentary from Dave McLelland and Steve Evans.  

1986 Fall Nationals

Race 14 of the 1986 NHRA season, the Fall Nationals from Firebird Raceway in Chandler, Arizona, just outside of Phoenix. Let's join USA Sports, and the familiar faces and voices of Steve Evans and Dave McLelland, for a drag race in the desert.

The Top Fuel Experience

Main Event Video and Dean Papadeas present a film all about Top Fuel drag racing.  This is “The Top Fuel Experience”.  Enjoy.

1990 NHRA Mile High Nationals

The 1990 running of the NHRA Mile High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colorado.  Fire and rain, just like the title of the James Taylor song, were the theme of this race weekend, and the same can be said for the race in that same season, shown here, last week, Le Grand National Moldon, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.  Steve Evans, Brock Yates, and "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, call all the action.

1990 NHRA Le Grandnational Molson

The 1990 NHRA Le Grandnational Molson, at Sanair International Dragway in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.  Don "The Snake" Prudhomme had a major blowover during qualifying, in a pass against Kenny Koretsky, and that incident is highlighted, right at the beginning of the program.  Brock Yates, Steve Evans and "Big Daddy" Don Garlits call the racing action for American Sports Cavalcade on The Nashville Network. 

In Memoriam: Tom "The Mongoose" McEwen

We have lost yet another legend of the sport of drag racing, who's career has been documented many time on, The Quarter Mile.  Rest In Peace, Tom "The Mongoose" McEwen. 

https://www.motorsport.com/nhra/news/nhra-legend-tom-the-mongoose-mcewen-dies-aged-81-1045718/

1988 NHRA Keystone Nationals

The annual NHRA races in Pennsylvania Dutch country, the 1988 edition of the Keystone Nationals from Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pennsylvania, at the 3/4 mark in the season.  ESPN Speedworld covers the action with commentary from Dave McLelland and Steve Evans. 

1988 NHRA California Nationals

The inaugural running of the NHRA California Nationals, from Sears Point Raceway (now, Sonoma Raceway), in Sonoma, California, 30 years ago, in 1988.

1990 NHRA Keystone Nationals

From Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pennsylvania, the 1990 running of the NHRA Keystone Nationals.  Dave McLelland and Steve Evans, call the action.

1986 NHRA Keystone Nationals

From Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Dutch country, it's the 1986 edition of the NHRA Keystone Nationals. The final eliminations, are missing from the tape. 

2000 IHRA Mopar Parts Canadian Nationals Presented by Castrol

The inaugural visit to Grand Bend, Ontario, Canada for the IHRA tour.  Let's join TNN Motorsports and commentators Ralph Sheheen, Aaron Polburn, and Tommy Johnson Jr. for all the action.  Featured classes are Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Modified, and Top Fuel Harley Davidson motorcycles. 

1985 NHRA U.S. Nationals

1985 NHRA US Nationals at Indianapolis IN from American Sports Cavalcade. The 11th National Event of the 1985 season.  Ed Bruce hosts, and as per usual, Brock Yates and Steve Evans call the action. 

Factory Modified

The idea had merit, but in the long run, lacked longevity and support.

Former IHRA President Billy Meyer had the vision to simplify sportsman drag racing, and in one fell sweep kicked the popular Modified, Super Stock and Stock eliminators to the curb They were replaced by indexed bracket divisions ranging from 7.90 to 12.90 indexes.

Meyer wanted to simplify the explanation of grassroots racing to the casual race fan.

The plan was Factory Modified.

Driver match ups include:

Tim Freeman vs. Tom Sroufe
Mark Osborne vs. Rick Horde
Cal Mounkes vs. Randy Ross
David Nickens vs. Tom Osborne

The come the semi finals and the finals.  Nickens vs. Horde, and Mounkes vs. Sroufe.  Your final will be, Rick Horde vs. Cal Mounkes.

Bret Kepner covers all the action.

1989 NHRA Keystone Nationals

The 1989 running of the NHRA Keystone Nationals on American Sports Cavalcade from Diamond P Sports.  Dave McLelland and Steve Evans call the action. 

1991 NHRA Mile High Nationals

From Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colorado, the 1991 running of the NHRA Mile High Nationals on American Sports Cavalcade on The Nashville Network.  Steve Evans,"Big Daddy" Don Garlits, and Bob Frey, call the racing action.

1987 NHRA Gatornationals

Video of round two of the 1987 NHRA season... the Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida, a staple of the National Hot Rod Association schedule.The final round action is on the tape for Pro Stock and Funny Car, but it stops during Don Prudhomme's funny car winner's interview, and we do not see the Top Fuel final. 

1994 IHRA Pro Mod Shootout

From Milan International Dragway.  Milan, Michigan, it is the 1994 Sunoco Pro Modified Shootout tour.  Let’s join Prime Network and commentator Aaron Green, for all the action.  There were two different racing programs associated with the IHRA.  It is not a Super Chevy Show meeting.  Rather, it is strictly Pro Modified.

1966 NHRA Winternationals

A snippet of the 1966 NHRA Winternationals at the L.A. County Fairplex in Pomona, California.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBM4bZDeS6k

1987 NHRA Springnationals

The sixth race of the 1987 NHRA season, the Springnationals at National Trail Raceway in Columbus, Ohio.  Paul Page, and Steve Evans call all the action.

1986 NHRA Texas Nationals

The 13th event of the 1986 NHRA drag racing season, the Texas Nationals at the Texas Motorplex in Dallas, Texas.  Dave McLelland and Steve Evans call the action for USA network and USA Sports, at what was the inaugural event on this all concrete drag strip.

IHRA Bristol, Tennessee 1987

The third event of the 1987 IHRA season, in Bristol, Tennessee.  This is the 23rd renewal of the event at Bristol International Dragway.  The Campbell Auto Parts Spring Nationals.  We join commentators Bob Jenkins, the late Larry Nuber, and Bret Kepner for all the action. 

1990 Heartland Nationals

From Heartland Park, in Topeka, Kansas, here is the 1990 edition of the NHRA Heartland Nationals.  Dave McLelland and Steve Evans cover the action for ESPN Speedworld, and at the time, the quickest elapsed time ever, at 4.99 seconds, was set, in Top Fuel, by the late, great champion, Gary Ormsby.  

1985 Northstar Nationals

From the home track of yours truly, once again, (Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minnesota), here is the 1985 running of the NHRA Northstar Nationals. 

1992 IHRA Snap-On Tools North American Nationals

The 1992 IHRA Snap-On Tools North American Nationals in Epping, New Hampshire.  Bob Varsha, Ted Jones, and Bret Kepner, call the races.  Watch too, at the beginning of the tape, for a bizarre accident involving nitro funny car racer, Whit Bazemore.

1992 Mile High Nationals

The 1992 NHRA Mile High Nationals from Bandimere Speedway in Denver, Colorado. 

1990 NHRA Arizona Nationals

Check out the 1990 running of the NHRA Arizona Nationals from Firebird Raceway in Phoenix, Arizona.  Paul Page, Steve Evans, and Don Garlits, call all the action. 

1986 Cajun Nationals

Race number five of the 1986 NHRA championship drag racing season.  The Cajun Nationals at State Capitol Dragway in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  The late, great commentary duo of Brock Yates and Steve Evans, has the call.  We miss them both.  So, enjoy this chestnut of a drag race. 

The best of E-Town - Live Stream

LIVE NOW!  Check this out.

With the announcement that Raceway Park will no longer hold drag races, have a look back at some of the best events in their storied history!

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbIJjYPqJ3I

1993 IHRA Snap-On Tools North America Nationals

The 1993 IHRA Snap-On Tools North America Nationals from Epping, New Hampshire. Watch the video, on YouTube.  Bob Varsha, Ted Jones, and Bret Kepner, call the action. 

1995 NHRA DuPont Pro Stock Challenge

From Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, in Englishtown, New Jersey, the 1995 DuPont Pro Stock Challenge, with alternate racers Larry Morgan and Bob Glidden, after the two car Dodge Avenger team from Wayne County Speed Shop, had their shop vandalized, unfortunately.  Calling the action for TNN Motorsports, are Dave McLelland, Dodge Pro Stock driver Scott Geoffrion, Steve Evans, and Bob Frey.

1995 NHRA Dupont Pro Stock Challenge
Raceway Park  Englishtown, NJ
May 20th, 1995