Racing Straight and Flat for a Quarter Mile

Fan Commentary by Grandstand Bob

Ever since I caught the racing bug, I’ve worn out ears with tales of how exhilarating Winston Cup racing is. Readers of this column know that I’m an adrenaline junky who enjoys the sensual stimulation of being in the stands. It’s hard to explain until you’re there.

The weekend before this last, I attended my first NHRA race event. I can’t even really say race, because it’s more like a series of races. Anyway, like stock car racing, this is something that every race fan should experience at least once.

My favorite part of a Winston Cup race is when the green flag drops for the first time. In almost an instant, 43 rumbling and grumbling engines burst into a loud roar, dragging the wind and dust behind them. Even after six years (and usually six beers), this still sends shivers up my back.

The explosion of two top-fuel dragsters, side-by-side, gives a Winston Cup green flag a run for its money when it comes to sensual experiences.

My dad, brother-in-law and friend lured me to this race event, though I didn’t put up much of a fight. All had been to both Winston Cup and NHRA races before. In fact, all still prefer the NHRA to Winston Cup, but that’s another story. Over beers and sandwiches before the race, each told me how I was in for a cool experience: something like, “If you like Winston Cup racing and the noise and power of it, you’re going to love this.” They were right.

The drag races at Topeka were delayed that day, because of rain. (You can see how a Winston Cup fan can feel at home, can’t you?) Because it took awhile before track was dry enough to race, the schedule jumped ahead to NHRA’s top three series, Pro Stock, Top Fuel and Funny Car, and they appeared in that order.

The Pro Stocks were cool enough, running over 200 MPH in a quarter-mile, faster than I had ever seen a car go, but they were mild compared to their top-fuel brethren. Wanting the full effect, I decided to forgo ear protection with my first top-fuel drag run, which isn’t something that I would do again.

As the cars emerged from under the tower for their turn at the track, you could hear the pops of the engines clearly and see fumes spewing from their headers. Each then performs a burnout to get their tires sticky for the run. The burnout is cool enough in its own right, generating a bunch of smoke and noise, but the noise is not sufficient warning for the green flag start. After backing into position and aligning according to the starter’s command, the cars sit in an almost eerie stillness awaiting the green light at the bottom of the Christmas tree. When there are two yellow lights at the top of the tree, you better get something in your ears, because a deafening explosion is scant moment away.

Mere words can’t sufficiently describe the start of a top-fuel run, but I’ll try. When that green light ignites, so too do the two 5000-horsepower engines. For comparison, Winston Cup cars generate horsepower in the 800 range. I describe the sound as a large bomb exploding and transforming into a jet-like roar. You can feel the vibration through your chest, and you sure as hell don’t want to blink, because those cars are at the other end of the track in about four seconds. Within minutes, the spectacle is recreated as two more cars emerge from under the tower.

So, will Winston Cup fans enjoy NHRA races? Without a doubt. I still prefer the drama and storylines of a Sunday afternoon stock car race, but I can appreciate the value of drag racing a bunch more after experiencing it. Plus, there are some advantages.

The crowds are smaller, meaning that traffic is lighter, parking is easier, and tickets are less expensive. We paid under $50 for some of the best seats in the house. Best of all, the fans are no different. With the exception of a few more shirts with drag racing insignia, when you’re outside the track, you really can’t tell the difference between the tailgating scenes of the two sports.