Speed, Power and the 2014 H.A.M.B. Drags

Wheat Missile. Kansas Tornado. Meek’s Furniture, Tulsa.

From the names carefully lettered onto doors to the period perfect Mo-Kan Dragway, the H.A.M.B. Drags are a pure Midwestern experience.

On Saturday Aug. 16, dozens of era-correct rods, customs and drag cars made their way from across the nation to the Asbury asphalt in an effort to transfer power to speed in the least amount of time.

Tires spun and weedburners belched smoke as the determined drivers avoided guardrails while standing on the go-pedal. Sure, there were casualties. But the rodders knew that was the price to pay in their never-ending quests for  lower e.t.’s.

All afternoon the cars ripped off the line in succession like freight trains rolling across the open landscape.

And when the action on the strip ceased and the motors went quiet, spectators were invited to peruse the pits and see what these one-off machines were all about. Although they could have done the same the night before in the parking lot of the host hotel, the majority took advantage of Saturday’s observation opportunities.

The end of the day brought grey skies as action came to a close. When the clouds finally opened up, most racers and spectators had already left — safe, dry and exhausted after a gear jamming, high-revving day at the drags.

-Joey Ukrop

Side Note: Once again, the H.A.M.B. Drags have been a breathtaking experience. From the folks running the show at Mo-Kan to those who I had the chance to chat with over the weekend, I thank you. Events like this make the H.A.M.B. come alive and put faces to user names. In Asbury, pixels and text turn to iron and rubber and avatars turn into hot rodders. Don’t believe me? Come on out next year and you’ll be surprised. My calendar is marked …I’ll see ya there!