U.S. Nationals, 50th Anniversary

[John Copeland]

Looking at the recent posts, I was very surprised to not see anything mentioned about the U.S. Nationals this past weekend? I'm often amused by the desire to recreate the "Gasser Days" and the constant debate over what is traditional etc. You folks missed the show of the century on Monday. Every Gasser that was ever a top contender was restored and very much a part of the Golden Cacklefest that happened just prior to the final round of eliminations. 16 old fuelers were running down the track followed by some of the original push cars, i.e. Swamp Rat VI, Larry Dixon Sr.s Rattler, and many others. Lots of Bantoms and Fuel altards to include The Freight Train and Winged Express. They also had the original Drag Safari trailer and pull vehicle and the old Hurst Olds with Linda Vaughn still waving to the crowd! For some of the guys that asked the question, "what is a Gasser?" on some of the old posts, you missed the boat by not being at Indy this past weekend.

John C.

[oldandkrusty]

John, dang I hate it when the boat leaves and I'm not on it! Especially when cool stuff such as the "CackleFest" is going on. I was at Pomona a couple years ago when the did one and it raised the hairs on the back of my neck for sure. For us old timers (I was at Indy in '67 when Big shaved his beard at the starting line!) seeing all those oldtimey front engine fuelers and altereds is mind boggling. I really REALLY wish I was there. Good for you on seeing it in person.

[Smokin Joe]

I'm glad the bean counters at No Hot Rods Allowed let Mousie and the gang be part of the show. At the same time, they denied credentials to all the photographers who are interested in the history of the sport rather than just showing off the new and improved NHRA of the future. Don Ewald of WDIFL.com, George Crittendon of Nitrogeezers, Standard 1320 people and Georgia Drag Racing.com were a few of those denied. They were bluntly told that history has nothing to do with the NHRA! As long as the arrogant accountants running NHRA have that attitude, I'll spend my money somewhere else. I'll back the CHRR and Bowling Green because they support the Museum and the history of the sport in spite of being affiliated with the NHRA. You couldn't force me at gunpoint to go to a national event!

[MilesM]

Very short clip of it during the TV coverage. Wish I could have been there.

[Skate Fink]

.....got an e-mail from John Spradlin (forgot his HAMB name...brain fade!) with a couple shots from the Nationals.... VERY COOL!

http://www.weirdtrip.com/shots/johnsp1.jpg
http://www.weirdtrip.com/shots/johnsp2.jpg

......enough to give a man goosebumps!! Thanks again John...