It's been a while since I have posted to this blog. So, I thought I would catch up a little. Back in March I snuck away from the insanity of Spring Break and headed over to Gainesville for the NHRA Gatornationals drag race. Before this race, I had only been to one other professional level race event and that was the ARCA race in Talladega I blogged about in an earlier post. Although I enjoyed the ARCA race, NHRA pro drag racing was AWESOME!
I watched the Comp cars race early the first morning at the track. These guys and ladies seem to have a great deal of fun racing in a national event. Each run was exciting because you didn't know who was going to win. Many times until the last second when the "win light" came on in the winners lane at the end of the track. Had as much fun watching them as I did the pros. But, when the pros got to the line, you knew things were really serious.
Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycles were super fast! Never saw a motorcycle scream past at 190+ before!
Then the nitro burning dragsters and funny cars came to the line. For weeks before my trip I had read everything I could online about the races. What I would need to bring, what to expect the weather to be, those kind of things. One of the items mentioned most was ear plugs. So, I heeded the recommendations of those that have "been there done that". I stuck a pair of ear plugs in my backpack with my water, snacks and jacket. Now, back to the nitro cars. As the first pair came to the line and started the engines I noticed everyone around me getting out their ear plugs and muffs. So, I took the cue and pulled mine out of my pack and put them in. I figured these folks seemed to know more than I did at that point. The dragsters did their burnouts. Not too bad. A little loud. But, bearable. I waited with great anticipation for the cars to launch off the line for the first time. When they did - BOOM! I was completely caught off guard by the sound and the feeling those cars emit. I know I had a shocked/scared look on my face. I could feel it and after that first run was over I even laughed at myself because of it. That was the loudest thing I had ever heard! You can actually feel every time each one of the 16 cylinders (two cars) fire. It feels like bombs exploding in rapid succession over and over. These cars burn nitromethane fuel at approximately 15 gallons per run. The engines make 8000 horsepower. Yes, that is 3 zeros behind that 8. AND they are capable of speeds over 320 miles an hour in 1000 feet! Made our Toyota Corolla seem like a tricycle going back to the motel.
I saw many of the drivers and cars I have watched for years on TV. I'm not much of an autograph hound. So, I just lurked in the crowds and took some photos.
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| Comp cars on the starting line |
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| Pro Mods |
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| Morgan Lucas signing autographs |
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| Top Fuel burnout! |
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| Funny cars |
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| This is one of several Nostalgia Gassers that made a few demo runs. These guys were great! Not only were they fast. But, the burnouts were long and smoky! |
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| In the staging lanes waiting their turn on the track. |
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| In the Nitro pits |
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| One of the Gassers in the pits |
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| Courtney Force's Funny Car on display in the midway area |
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| John Force's Funny Car in the midway |
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| Big Daddy Don Garlits was signing his books and taking pictures with fans. He is 80 years old and at this race he ran a 9.98 second quarter mile in a new Dodge! Big Daddy indeed. |
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| This a view from the fence line near the finish line for the nitro cars. |
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| Antron Brown, one of my favorite drivers, signing autographs |
Needless to say, I am hooked on NHRA drag racing. I've watched it on TV since I knew what drag racing was. But, seeing it in person is an entirely different experience. Looking forward to the next trip to the Gatornationals! I promise to take more photos and post them sooner. Hope you enjoyed.
