This is your coke on nitro.

[fastfiat]

https://www.facebook.com/shortyshort08/videos/10204256502834078/UzpfSTEwMDAwMDA5NjMwNDMwNDozMTkwNTcwMDk0Mjg5NTAz/

[wildturkey]

Awesome.

[rboren]

Does the same thing to your insides! I was privileged to stand by Forces car while staging with the crew members and when the lights came down I almost fell down. Just gotta experience it to understand!

[BPenrod]

Everyone should experience it at least once.

[adchunts]

Way back in the day, you could stand right beside the launch pad at Tulsa Raceway during qualifying. Went to the Spring Nationals one year and took some awesome photos. It is a unique experience to stand 20’ from a fire breathing funny car or dragster when they hit the go button.

[Great Scott]

You can watch it on TV and never have a clue
to the power these two cars omit when they
leave the line. The entire bleacher section full
of people trembles just like the Coke.
The actual race, I had rather watch on TV,
for the slow motion/instant replays and so forth.
The real show is in the pits, watching a tare down
and complete rebuild and being subject to line call
in 1Hr.
Gasoline is for washing parts.
Alcohol is for Drinking
Nitro is for Racing.
LDS

[AirForceAngler]

You can watch it on TV and never have a clue
to the power these two cars omit when they
leave the line. The entire bleacher section full
of people trembles just like the Coke.
The actual race, I had rather watch on TV,
for the slow motion/instant replays and so forth.
The real show is in the pits, watching a tare down
and complete rebuild and being subject to line call
in 1Hr.
Gasoline is for washing parts.
Alcohol is for Drinking
Nitro is for Racing.
LDS

You forgot to mention how the Nitro burns your eyes! Man I miss that. Maybe I'll try to get to Gateway this fall.

[bamabassmaster]

That coke is flat now

[11pounder]

Way back in the day, you could stand right beside the launch pad at Tulsa Raceway during qualifying. Went to the Spring Nationals one year and took some awesome photos. It is a unique experience to stand 20’ from a fire breathing funny car or dragster when they hit the go button.

I spent a few summers at the Spring nationals in the late 70's, Garlits and MulDowny were the big names then, and when the dragsters launched at the lights you couldn't hear your self think and that glass of Coke was exactly what your insides felt like.

[Migs]

Reminded me of Jurassic Park for a quick sec before he hammered it!

[Hoot]

Good Thread a lot of interesting stories showing up already.

[billnorman1]

thanks.

And Hi Dan, when you get here.

[basscatlildave]

Power

[Ranger354]

Always loved drag racing but had never been even though I live roughly an hour away from Bristol's Thunder Valley. Started going a couple of years ago along with my grandson, and hope to continue from now for as long as i can. Even sitting in the stands the Nitro cars and the bikes, you will feel them as much as see them. I always try to sit mid track. If you love cars you should treat your self to at least one Nitro race. The riders can't even sit down on a Nitro Harley till after the engine is started!!! Not sure at other tracks but at Bristol you walk through the pits to get to the stands. Amazing to watch.

[m.t.hands]

Everyone should experience it at least once.

i agree, my only turnoff on TF or FC is when they grease the track up and you have extended track repair/prep time, my favorite by far are the door slammers PM, TS, and PS

[kry29]

Everyone should experience it at least once.

I couldnt agree more. We used to go every year. One year we decided to go to the starting line when the funny cars were about to run. One pass and dad said "let's go sit down, that $#!+ makes my heart skip a beat". You dang sure wont feel anything else like it

[BG12]

My Uncle and I raced some back in the late 90's early 2000's. Had an 85 ElCamino with a 383 Stroker. All motor, no juice, street legal and licensed and insured. 9 second 1000ft car you could drive to the Sonic. My first wife was pregnant with my son and when we would crank the car he would start kicking and rolling in her belly lol.... He is 18 now and a couple months ago he went to a JJ's Arm Drop race. He's hooked and says he wants to build a car. I told him get a high paying job and get after it!!

[rboren]

I asked Ron Capps pit captain if he ever got tired of working on one and if he wanted to do the driving. His answer was,” Hell No I ain’t sitting on a bomb”!

[SWA12]

Had a friend back in the nineties that was one of NHRA 's marketing director's. Not only free passes to races around the country I had kind of a " backstage" access to media events , catering , tower seating etc...I'm convinced that drag racing has stayed a niche sport because it's not photogenic so to speak. TV has tried over the years to change camera angles, mic different area of the track to give the viewer a better feel of the speed and sound. Some of the efforts helped but man that's one type of racing you have to be there. Top fuel and Funny car divisions actually register on a seismic scale when they go down track!!

[JonW]

I spent a few summers at the Spring nationals in the late 70's, Garlits and MulDowny were the big names then, and when the dragsters launched at the lights you couldn't hear your self think and that glass of Coke was exactly what your insides felt like.

Shirley was HOT back then I saw her and Garlits at Lebanon Valley in the late 70s.