I miss Drag Racing. (Page 2 of 3)
|
For my 75th birthday my son took me and my 15YO grandson to Vegas for the 4-Wide Nationals. It was grandson's first time to see professional racing in person. Attached File We spent most of the time on the starting line and the pits, but I took him to the finish line for the TF finals. He was blown away by four rails roaring by in full-song at over 330 MPH. The ground shaking, that ear-piercing roar and that nitro smell left an impression on him. I like watching TF and FCs, but I miss actually doing it. Raced NHRA SS classes in the '70s with my SS/DA 454 Chevelle. If I could drive anything again it would be a doorslammer in the Top Sportsman category. Attached File I'd even break out my "Jenkins Competition" hat to wear. 
|
"An age of glory passed like a lightning flash. The mandate of heaven passed from you but you didn't see. Times change and power passes. It is the pity of the world."
Song dynasty poet
Song dynasty poet
Joined:
Dec 2025
Posts:
575
EE: 0% (0)
SC, USA
|
Originally Posted By mustb123: I’m taking my little work truck down the 1/4 mile next Wednesday nite. With the little turbo, I’m expecting about 14.5 https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/126943/IMG_4614-3825303.jpg Not as much fun as the Mustang. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/126943/tccoa_dragway-3825306.jpg Originally Posted By mustb123: Originally Posted By Monsterbishi: You do know that as a grown-up you can go racing without asking for permission? I’m taking my little work truck down the 1/4 mile next Wednesday nite. With the little turbo, I’m expecting about 14.5 https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/126943/IMG_4614-3825303.jpg Not as much fun as the Mustang. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/126943/tccoa_dragway-3825306.jpg people bring out econoboxes to test and tunes all the time if you pass tech, that's all that matters |
|
Originally Posted By glinglo: people bring out econoboxes to test and tunes all the time if you pass tech, that's all that matters Originally Posted By glinglo: Originally Posted By mustb123: Originally Posted By Monsterbishi: You do know that as a grown-up you can go racing without asking for permission? I’m taking my little work truck down the 1/4 mile next Wednesday nite. With the little turbo, I’m expecting about 14.5 https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/126943/IMG_4614-3825303.jpg Not as much fun as the Mustang. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/126943/tccoa_dragway-3825306.jpg people bring out econoboxes to test and tunes all the time if you pass tech, that's all that matters Yup, I don’t have pictures on this phone, but I took my wife’s Mustang to the drags at about 3 months after purchasing it new. Then, at about a year old, I took it around the Miami track for a charity event. It’s a small track, so I only got to 125mph. I even let my daughter take a few laps. Also fun.  
|
10/22/14 I stand with Canada
|
Originally Posted By Coffin-Nail: I hate that idiot tanked the IHRA and the chances of getting my local track back open. Gone like a fart in the wind. |
|
I, too, love drag racing. However, in Las Vegas, it can mean something else. This is from a commercial I did around 2011 for the season opener of drag racing at LVMS. Six of us dressed in drag, racing afoot on a high school track. It was kinda weird, but fun. Attached File |
Arfcom's own STD
Member
Joined:
Jan 2026
Posts:
313
EE: 0% (0)
MI, USA
|
I attended my 1st drag race event at the ol' Detroit Dragway in 1962, (yeah, I'm old) anyway, the super stock eliminator finals was between and Chevy 409 Biscayne and a 406 powered 1962 FORD Galaxie sponsored by BOB FORD of Dearborn, Mich. It was close but the FORD won, they were running mid 12's back then and we thought that was fast. Anyway, my dad was amazed the driver of that FORD was awarded a $500 check. |
| I miss it also. Ive raced a 1969 Mustang Mach 1, 1997 SVT Cobra, 2002 SVT Lightning, and my last car I raced was a 2003 SVT Cobra. I've thought about trying the ZX-12R and H2 SX at the track to see what they can do. I have nothing else running right now to race but bikes. My 2001 SVT Cobra needs an engine and my 1969 Mustang Mach 1 is not up and running right now. |
|
Originally Posted By JoeyTelly: I attended my 1st drag race event at the ol' Detroit Dragway in 1962, (yeah, I'm old) anyway, the super stock eliminator finals was between and Chevy 409 Biscayne and a 406 powered 1962 FORD Galaxie sponsored by BOB FORD of Dearborn, Mich. It was close but the FORD won, they were running mid 12's back then and we thought that was fast. Anyway, my dad was amazed the driver of that FORD was awarded a $500 check. Maybe so, but no one ever made a hit song about a Ford Galaxie.  Attached File |
"An age of glory passed like a lightning flash. The mandate of heaven passed from you but you didn't see. Times change and power passes. It is the pity of the world."
Song dynasty poet
Song dynasty poet
|
Even better than drag racing was all the local circle tracks. some had demo derbies which anyone could enter, buy a junker, do some mods in an afternoon and off you go. One had oval track racing with a run what you brung amateur night, not race cars but street cars that were driven to the track. Another popular event was the figure 8 races with amateurs again, run what you drove to the track. No trailered cars allowed, must be street legal. Very few "nice" cars ran as the risk of damage was high. One of the local circle tracks is still in business, billed as the fastest 1/4 mile oval in the world. Drag racing is not nearly as fun as small town circle tracks. |
|
I miss it's prevalence back in the day. I grew up in Ohio and spent many a weekend at the track as both my parents raced cars. I'm in Tacoma now, where funny car legend Pat Austin is from, so I see his shop regularly and am reminded. He has a "show room" and repair shop at 56th and S. Tacoma Way. But if you head south on STW from there you might notice his actual race garage. Dead giveaway are the vintage hemi's in the window. When the curtains are back he also has all of his NHRA "Wally" trophies in view. eta: grabbed a screen shot, in this pic you can see some of the Wally's...  |
To the everlasting glory of the infantry...
These are fun to watch. Reaction video.  NHRA Top Fuel Nitro Car reactions. You are not ready for this!!! Funny Compilation. People reacting |
|
Originally Posted By Klee: This popped up in my feed. Been about 30 years since I have been in the pits and about 25 years since I went to a race.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLukrjx7DRUOh man so much more electronics now. Clay breaks it down even better...  How To Drive A Top Fuel Car |
oldie but a goodie! How a Top Fuel Dragster Works  NHRA Drag Racing - At Its Best |
"Over the years, it has become increasingly difficult to tell the difference between skilled trolls versus fucking morons." DK-Prof
|
Originally Posted By Dopple: I grew up within earshot of Englishtown Raceway Park. Been there many times, was close enough to ride my bicycle there. My brother even won a Dr. Pepper 10 speed bike (Murray brand). I remember being real young, and when he won the bike, we got to go sit down behind the starting line in a small set of bleachers. That was pretty intense. No ear protection, no parents near us, just 2 kids at the race. RIP E town |
Remorse is for the dead
|
Originally Posted By Cyclic240B: I miss it's prevalence back in the day. I grew up in Ohio and spent many a weekend at the track as both my parents raced cars. I'm in Tacoma now, where funny car legend Pat Austin is from, so I see his shop regularly and am reminded. He has a "show room" and repair shop at 56th and S. Tacoma Way. But if you head south on STW from there you might notice his actual race garage. Dead giveaway are the vintage hemi's in the window. When the curtains are back he also has all of his NHRA "Wally" trophies in view. eta: grabbed a screen shot, in this pic you can see some of the Wally's... https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/68413/Image_9-10-26_at_11_54%C3%A2%E2%82%AC%C2%AFAM-3825357.png Did you ever run at Dragway 42 in Ohio? My dad and a couple of his friends built the original one near West Salem. His ashes are on the hill, under the US flag. One day, I’d like to take my ‘66 Mustang up there for a blast from the past. |
10/22/14 I stand with Canada
The sounds of my youth... Ed Piz '34 Ford Flathead - Hot Rod Dirt Drags 2015  Ford V8 Special - Side valve V8 Flathead Hillclimb racing |
"...Capitalism...shares its blessings unequally; ...Socialism...shares its miseries equally."
Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Member
Joined:
Jan 2026
Posts:
314
EE: 0% (0)
MI, USA
|
Originally Posted By mustb123: Did you ever run at Dragway 42 in Ohio? My dad and a couple of his friends built the original one near West Salem. His ashes are on the hill, under the US flag. One day, I'd like to take my '66 Mustang up there for a blast from the past. ETA: Looking at the pics on Google Maps, that's a nice track. |
To the everlasting glory of the infantry...
Lil Gangstas, live at XRP (and TnT for this weekends Southern N/T Nationals) 9 10 2026 Big Jakes Race Thursday, Lil Gangster 30k, Grudge and TNT |
Tom Sawyer.
"If The Rules brought us to this, what use are they?"
"If The Rules brought us to this, what use are they?"
|
Originally Posted By mustb123: Did you ever run at Dragway 42 in Ohio? My dad and a couple of his friends built the original one near West Salem. His ashes are on the hill, under the US flag. One day, I'd like to take my '66 Mustang up there for a blast from the past. |
|
Originally Posted By clutchsmoke: Practically grew up at 42, my dad ran cars and bikes thru the 70s I used to run my bikes, went to the vintage drags last year. Very cool your dad was involved in building the place, the start / finish line was reversed during the rebuild. Originally Posted By clutchsmoke: Originally Posted By mustb123: Did you ever run at Dragway 42 in Ohio? My dad and a couple of his friends built the original one near West Salem. His ashes are on the hill, under the US flag. One day, I'd like to take my '66 Mustang up there for a blast from the past. He was born and raised in West Salem. He and his friends got in a lot of trouble street racing. Their solution - they got their parents involved and made it happen. They had the speed and time record for a while back in the day. I don’t remember the class or time, but it sounded slow to me - haha. I would bet that a dozen high performance cars of today would beat their time from the late ‘50’s. The people running it now were so very gracious to allow me and my family to leave some of his ashes in such a prominent location. Yes, the track has changed a few times in the last 60 some years. It is a nice place and it’s amazing that it’s still popular after all these years. |
10/22/14 I stand with Canada
|
I'd been to NASCAR and Indy races all over. Cal Speedway, Vegas, Phoenix, Kansas, Chicagoland, Michigan, Talladega, Indy, and a bunch of others. I knew the drill. Then I did NHRA in Pomona. Holy Fuck. There is nothing like Top Fuel or Funny Car. It can't be watched on TV. It has to be heard, felt, smelled. Fucking amazing. |
|
Originally Posted By Cyclic240B: I miss it's prevalence back in the day. I grew up in Ohio and spent many a weekend at the track as both my parents raced cars. I'm in Tacoma now, where funny car legend Pat Austin is from, so I see his shop regularly and am reminded. He has a "show room" and repair shop at 56th and S. Tacoma Way. But if you head south on STW from there you might notice his actual race garage. Dead giveaway are the vintage hemi's in the window. When the curtains are back he also has all of his NHRA "Wally" trophies in view. eta: grabbed a screen shot, in this pic you can see some of the Wally's... https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/68413/Image_9-10-26_at_11_54%C3%A2%E2%82%AC%C2%AFAM-3825357.png |
Arfcom's own STD
Joined:
Oct 2023
Posts:
371
EE: 0% (0)
SC, USA
|
https://www.twitch.tv/ticklefitz 9 10 2026 Big Jakes Race Thursday LIL GANGSTER 30K |
The difficult we can do immediately
The impossible takes a little longer
The impossible takes a little longer
oh yea, I enjoy catching the races.  Lucas Oil Races by Chris B, on Flickr |
Chris
11M 84-87
Dare to be different - Arrogance Diminishes Wisdom
Oh cruel fate, to be thusly boned. Ask not for whom the bone bones, it bones for thee.
The answer to 2024's leftist problem is 1973.
11M 84-87
Dare to be different - Arrogance Diminishes Wisdom
Oh cruel fate, to be thusly boned. Ask not for whom the bone bones, it bones for thee.
The answer to 2024's leftist problem is 1973.
|
Originally Posted By Frank_B: The sounds of my youth... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5ZM1PaZHqU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1t7A2MHG4wMy father and his younger brother were building one last '34 Ford with a flathead but cancer and age made them throw in the towel last year before they completed it. They got close to getting it on the road but neither has the energy and strength they used to and they were just getting frustrated. I'm not sure if the guy who bought it has completed it yet but it was a neat car; I helped some when they started the project, but they'd butt heads over little things and it got annoying. Both raced when they were younger, my uncle married but didn't have any kids so he kept it up for a lot longer but he'll admit his reflexes aren't fast enough anymore, my dad's definitely aren't. Both actually raced against Garlits back when they were all young (Garlits is a couple years older then my dad), Garlits obviously had more talent and money. I grew up going to the tracks with them in the seventies and early eighties, SC had various tracks all over, but I'm not even sure where the closest track is these days. |
| Late at night at Lions the ocean air got cooler and the times started dropping. Track opened in the 50's so the wooden bleachers were right against the chain link fence and edge of the starting line. Wild and super dangerous. |
"People, Ideas, Technology - IN THAT ORDER! Col. John '40 Second' Boyd"
|
Was into drag racing a lot growing up in Ohio in the seventies. Now retired and in Florida and started going back to a local track that just opened up a couple years ago. It's Leadfoot City south of Brooksville Florida. Only an 1/8 mile and a very grassroots type of thing. But on every other Friday night it is the best entertainment value for 20 bucks around here. Three bars, sometimes four bars, lots of food trucks, tons of stuff for the kids to do. Plenty of room to walk around and it's not ass to elbow. Has a burnout pit and a place to do donuts ,a drifting area all kinds of stuff. Sick Week has come through here the last 2 years and that is crazy to see. All kinds of Street driven seven second (1/4 mi) cars. It's also right down the road from the Brooksville airport where Don Garlits got his start back in the early fifties racing on the runway. |
|
Originally Posted By SHOOTER: High school drag races and Fox hunt drag races at SIR in the 70’s. All let you guys figure out what fun we had at the Fox hunt event. Beside drag racing. Spent lots of time at SIR in the early 2000's. Still do the Fri. night/HS drags I believe. I got kicked off the track for regular events in my Evo so I had to just do those  I just finally got a car I'm working on again after about 20yrs of not racing. Picked up a Dragy the other day and been having fun with it. Will probably try and head back up to SIR next summer for some "real" runs. There's actually a section of road down here by the port that old timers have been marking since the 70's I've been told. Nice straight stretch with perfect 1/4mile start lines going across it. Went out the other day to test the Dragy and yep, still being marked 
|
|
Originally Posted By Twisted10: i still watch when its on. my dad took me to a few races. good stuff. motorsports in general seem to be fading away, at least certain genre's and i fear drag racing will be another victim... Very true, but I believe there are multiple factors to it. Lot's of young kids aren't out working on cars and involved, they are to busy on their phones and playing video games. New cars for the most part take a lot of the "test and tune" aspect away from it. EV's have ruined a lot of people in regards to speed. If you aren't in it for the sound and building aspect, why spend tens of thousands on mods when you can go grab a $20k EV off the lot and run 10's. |
I was in this crowd somewhere. "64 Funny Cars !!!!". 64 Funny Cars: Live Music at Seattle International Raceway (1973) |
Did OP say Drag Race? I believe he did! All Stars 11 LIVE Winner’s Reaction ?? w/ Crystal Methyd & Joey Jay! | RuPaul’s Drag Race AS11 |
Joined:
Jul 2025
Posts:
543
EE: 0% (0)
TX, USA
|
Originally Posted By mustb123: He was born and raised in West Salem. He and his friends got in a lot of trouble street racing. Their solution - they got their parents involved and made it happen. They had the speed and time record for a while back in the day. I don't remember the class or time, but it sounded slow to me - haha. I would bet that a dozen high performance cars of today would beat their time from the late '50's. The people running it now were so very gracious to allow me and my family to leave some of his ashes in such a prominent location. Yes, the track has changed a few times in the last 60 some years. It is a nice place and it's amazing that it's still popular after all these years. |
