National Hot Rod Association


The National Hot Rod Association is a drag racing governing body, which sets rules in drag racing and hosts events all over the United States and Canada. With over 40,000 drivers in its rosters, the NHRA claims to be the largest motorsports sanctioning body in the world.
The association was founded by Wally Parks in 1951 in California to provide a governing body to organize and promote the sport of drag racing. NHRA's first Nationals was held in 1955, in Great Bend, Kansas. The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, the national event series which comprises 24 races each year, is the premier series in drag racing that brings together the best drag racers from across North America and the world. The NHRA U.S. Nationals are now held at Lucas Oil Raceway in Brownsburg, Indiana and are officially called the U.S. Nationals. Winners of national events are awarded a trophy statue in honor of founder Wally Parks. The trophy is commonly referred to by its nickname, a “Wally”.

History

Wally Parks, editor of Hot Rod magazine and a dry lakes racer himself, began the National Hot Rod Association to promote "safety, sportsmanship, and fellowship" among hot rodders. The association gained about 25,000 members in its first year; within six years, it had more than 57,000 members.
Hot Rod Magazine and NHRA worked together to convince the general public and especially the police that there was a difference between hot-rodders and reckless street racers, sometimes known as "shot rodders". They encouraged the involvement of adults, such as auto shop teachers and garage owners. The NHRA's efforts to defend the image of the hot-rodder included a series of short films such as The Cool Hot Rod in which a delinquent teen learns that "a reckless kid in an old junker is not a hot-rodder at all. He's a square."
NHRA initiated the 1954 "Drag Safari", a nationwide tour to enourage organized drag racing with an emphasis on safety. Sponsored by Mobil Oil, the Safari crew would meet with law enforcement and local city officials at each stop to explain their program, involve local car clubs, set up sites, and run drag races. Drag Safari would lead to the 1955 US Nationals for drag racing.

Series

NHRA Championship Drag Racing Series

The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series is the top division of the NHRA. It consists of four professional classes:
There are more than a dozen Sportsman Classes. The classes contested at NHRA Divisional races include Snowmobile, Motorcycle Classes, Super Street, Super Gas, Stock Eliminator, Super Stock, Competition Eliminator, Super Comp, Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, and Top Alcohol Dragster. All classes except Snowmobile and some Sportsman motorcycle classes are regularly contested at NHRA national events.
NHRA promotes mainly the Professional classes at national Events, however, the majority of its participants are Sportsman Racers. Sportsman-class racers must be dues-paying members of NHRA before they are allowed to enter and participate in any NHRA event.
Included in these sportsman events are the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, the Summit Racing Equipment Racing Series and the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League.
The NHRA Sportsman Drag Racing Series originally consisted of seven divisions: Northeast, Southeast, North Central, South Central, West Central, Northwest, and Pacific. Starting in 2012, the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car classes competed in four regions: East, North Central, Central and West.

Champions

YearTop Alcohol Dragster
1981Brian Raymer
1982Don Woosley
1983Darrell Gwynn
1984Bill Walsh
1985Bill Walsh
1986Bill Walsh
1987Denny Lucas
1988Mike Troxel
1989Tom Conway
1990Blaine Johnson
1991Blaine Johnson
1992Blaine Johnson
1993Blaine Johnson
1994Tom Conway
1995Jay Payne
1996Bobby Taylor
1997Rick Santos
1998Rick Santos
1999Rick Santos
2000Rick Santos
2001Rick Santos
2002Arthur Gallant
2003Alan Bradshaw
2004Mitch Myers
2005Steve Torrence
2006Bill Reichert
2007Bill Reichert
2008Bill Reichert
2009Bill Reichert
2010Bill Reichert
2011Duane Shields
2012Jim Whiteley
2013Jim Whiteley
2014Chris Demke
2015Joey Severance
2016Joey Severance
2017Joey Severance
2018Joey Severance
2019Megan Meyer

YearAlcohol Funny Car
1981Frank Manzo
1982Bob Gottschalk
1983Fred Mandoline
1984Brad Anderson
1985Brad Anderson
1986Brad Anderson
1987Pat Austin
1988Pat Austin
1989Brad Anderson
1990Pat Austin
1991Pat Austin
1992Bob Newberry
1993Randy Anderson
1994Randy Anderson
1995Joe Pendland
1996Tony Bartone
1997Frank Manzo
1998Frank Manzo
1999Frank Manzo
2000Frank Manzo
2001Frank Manzo
2002Frank Manzo
2003Frank Manzo
2004Cy Chesterman
2005Bob Newberry
2006Frank Manzo
2007Frank Manzo
2008Frank Manzo
2009Frank Manzo
2010Frank Manzo
2011Frank Manzo
2012Frank Manzo
2013Frank Manzo
2014Steve Harker
2015Jonnie Lindberg
2016Jonnie Lindberg
2017Shane Westerfield
2018Sean Bellemeur
2019Sean Bellemeur

YearComp Eliminator
1981Jeff Cunningham
1982Norwin Palmer
1983Coleman Roddy
1984Coleman Roddy
1985Bill Maropulos
1986Vinny Barone
1987Bill Maropulos
1988Garley Daniels
1989Bob Kaiser
1990David Rampy
1991David Nickens
1992Steve Johns
1993Bill Maropulos
1994Jeff Krug
1995Sal Biondo
1996Bo Nickens
1997Andy Manna Jr.
1998Bob Andrews
1999Andy Manna Jr.
2000Jerry Arnold
2001Don Stratton
2002Mike Saye
2003Dean Carter
2004Dean Carter
2005Jeff Taylor
2006Bo Butner
2007Frank Aragona
2008Dan Fletcher
2009Bruno Massel
2010Al Ackerman
2011Lou Ficco
2012Bruno Massel
2013Alan Ellis
2014David Rampy
2015Craig Bourgeois
2016Doug Doll Jr.
2017David Rampy
2018Frank Aragona Jr.
2019Frank Aragona Jr.

YearSuper-Stock
1981Charlie Taylor
1982Keith Lynch
1983Keith Lynch
1984Chuck Gallagher
1985Dave Boertman
1986Delmer Wood
1987Jim Boburka
1988Jeff Taylor
1989Jim Boburka
1990Greg Stanfield
1991Jeff Taylor
1992Greg Stanfield
1993Greg Stanfield
1994Greg Stanfield
1995Mike Saye
1996Peter Biondo
1997Jimmy DeFrank
1998Dan Fletcher
1999Jimmy DeFrank
2000Peter Biondo
2001Dan Fletcher
2002Anthony Bertozzi
2003Peter Biondo
2004Larry Stewart
2005Hugh Meeks
2006Peter Biondo
2007Darren Smith
2008Ricky Decker
2009Jimmy DeFrank
2010Ryan McClanahan
2011Jackie Alley
2012Jimmy DeFrank
2013Byron Worner
2014Peter Biondo
2015Justin Lamb
2016Jimmy DeFrank
2017Justin Lamb
2018Justin Lamb
2019Vic Penrod

YearStock
1981Jeff Taylor
1982Tex Miller
1983Jim Hughes
1984Alan Peters
1985Tim Ekstrand
1986Al Corda
1987Jim Waldo
1988Sammy Pizzolato
1989Jim Hughes
1990Don Keen
1991John Calvert
1992Chad Guilford
1993Jason Line
1994Harvey Emmons III
1995Chuck Rayburn
1996Scotty Richardson
1997Al Corda
1998Jeff Hefler
1999Don Little
2000Edmond Richardson
2001Kevin Helms
2002Kevin Helms
2003Kevin Helms
2004Lee Zane
2005Peter Biondo
2006Randy Wilkes
2007Michael Iacono
2008Lee Zane
2009Edmond Richardson
2010Brad Burton
2011Joseph Santangelo
2012Brad Burton
2013Justin Lamb
2014Austin Williams
2015Kevin Helms
2016Jeff Strickland
2017Justin Lamb
2018Brian McClanahan
2019Allison Doll

Sportsman racers with multiple championships
Sportsman racers who have won multiple world championships, with the date of their most recent championship.
Top Alcohol Dragster
Alcohol Funny Car
Competition Eliminator
Super Stock
Stock

National Records

NOTE: Top Fuel and Funny Car records are measured in the 1,000 foot increment

Safety

The NHRA mandates numerous safety devices and procedures in all competition events.
The five point safety harness is required for all vehicles. It holds the driver secure in the seat, and is equipped with a quick release latch which can be released in less than a second should the driver need to leave the car due to fire or explosions.
Fire suits are required for all drivers in the alcohol and nitromethane fuel classes and the faster gasoline classes. These suits are full body coveralls and made with seven layers of Nomex fabric, which makes them resistant to fire. The required suit includes Nomex gloves, foot socks, and head sock.
Another NASCAR transplant, which was brought into use after the death of Fireball Roberts, was the fuel cell. This bladder is placed into the fuel tanks of non-nitromethane fueled vehicles to prevent fuel leaks, and explosions.
Third is the use of the HANS device. This device limits the movement of the head and neck in the event of an impact.
Fourth is the titanium shield that must be placed behind the head of all Dragsters and Funny Cars down to the Alcohol ranks. This is to prevent any debris from entering the cockpit and becoming a missile hazard to the driver after the death of Top Fuel racer Darrell Russell.
Fifth is the on-board fire extinguishing system that are required. These systems are directed onto the engine itself and are activated instantly when the engine catches fire, reducing the chance for the car to completely catch fire and endanger the driver. The driver also has a manual activation control available. This has been in place on all cars since 1983, when an engine explosion and fire came very close to killing then-Funny Car driver Mike Dunn. All enclosed body cars must have a five-inch circular opening which will accept the nozzle of a fire extinguisher triggered by safety personnel. All vehicles must have a clearly marked fuel pump cut-off switch on a rear panel, accessible to safety crews.
Sixth is the roof escape hatch that is in place on all Funny Cars since the founding of the division in the early 1970s. This device allows Funny Car drivers a safe means of exit during an engine fire rather than falling out of the car between the frame and fiberglass body, and possibly running the risk of being run over by the rear tires.
Seventh are the long bars at the rear end of all cars, also known as "wheelie bars". These long struts prevent the car from flipping over during the launch phase.
To prevent debris, oil, fuel, or coolant from falling on the racing surface, "diapers" under the engine are used to retain liquids and broken parts in the event of a catastrophic engine failure. "Oil-downs" result in substantial fines and the loss of previously earned Championship points. Many cars using the centrifugally-activated "slipper" clutch are now using a retention tube to collect the substantial amount of clutch dust that is produced during each race. The afore mentioned recent practices, along with the longstanding requirement for a Kevlar-style retainer blanket over the supercharger, considerably reduce the potential for injury and fire, in addition to assuring a cleaner and safer racing surface, resulting in a dramatic reduction in race delays for track clean-up.
The rear tires of the car, which are called slicks due to the fact that there is no tread on them, are specified with safety considerations in mind. These tires are made from a much harder compound than in previous years so that the tire is resistant to disintegration. This also came about after the death of Russell. The tires are not allowed to be inflated under for any race at any time.
All cars capable of attaining 150 miles per hour require braking parachutes. A safety requirement on all Drag cars running 9.99 and quicker in the 1/4 mile is the fireproof engine blanket which surrounds the engine block and contains debris in case of an engine explosion. NHRA rules call for a monetary, points, and time penalty if the car leaks oil during the run. During qualifying, the offending team loses its elapsed time and speed from the run; during a race, the penalty is loss of lane choice unless both teams in the ensuing race committed the violation.
In the wake of Eric Medlen's 2007 death, the roll bars in a Funny Car underwent modifications to further improve safety. They are padded with thick insulation and coated with several layers of Nomex to prevent the padding from catching fire during an engine explosion.
Another facility safety feature is the large sand pit at the end of the track past an area of the track known as the "shutdown area", also known as a "sand trap". This sand pit has been placed to slow or stop a car. In the wake of Scott Kalitta's death at Englishtown, NJ in 2008, the sand traps have been made longer and deeper, going from three feet deep to six feet deep and from long to long. Anchors for any arresting netting must be buried underground with no obstructing posts.
Some of the newest safety features deal with the tracks themselves. In the wake of Kalitta's death, there are now heavily padded retaining walls at the end of the sand traps. These walls are able to withstand the impact of a vehicle traveling at well over the usual speed of any division within the NHRA's professional categories. These retaining walls take the place of the old rubber polymer safety nets that were once held up with concrete posts.
Another safety modification was a direct result of Kalitta's death. The NHRA began installing a sensor that constantly checks the car's engine, and should the car backfire at any time during the race, or if the burst panel is blown out by an engine explosion, the fuel pump shuts off and the parachutes are deployed automatically. Although several drivers in the Top Fuel and Funny Car divisions have stated their dislike for the new sensor, they do admit that it should cut down on any fatal crashes similar to Kalitta's. This device was developed by Force, Kenny Bernstein, and Tony Schumacher, along with NHRA racing development, and NHRA track safety. It was implemented at the start of the 2009 season. The sensor is used only in the Funny Car and Top Fuel divisions. Pro Stock doesn't use nitromethane or superchargers in their engines and this presents a much reduced risk of the massive explosions that can be seen in the nitromethane-fueled cars—and often at their peak speeds.
Prior to the late 1980s, fans could station themselves up to the guardrails so they could be closer to the action. However, in the wake of several rather dramatic accidents on track, where spectators have been injured or killed, fans are no longer allowed within of the guardrail.
One of the newest safety requirements came after a near fatal crash at Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas, when John Force's car experienced a severe case of tire shake which, coupled with the release of his parachutes, ripped his car cleanly in two directly behind the engine. This frame failure exposed him to severe injury with no body or frame in front of his feet, as the severely damaged vehicle ground to a halt. The rules now prevent the use of hardened chrome moly tubing in the framework construction of any Top Fuel or Funny Car.
The track length for nitromethane-powered vehicles has been reduced to 1,000 feet, to reduce the likelihood and severity of blower and engine explosions and fires at or above 200 miles per hour. All other classes continue to race a full 1320-foot quarter mile which has been the original distance established by the NHRA in the 1950s.
The 2010 season brought a new safety device to Top Fuel classes. Should the driver be rendered unable to perform the normal shutdown sequence at the conclusion of a run, a pair of redundant transmitters, placed and past the finish line, will signal an on-board receiver to automatically shut off ignition power and fuel to the engine and deploy the parachutes. The transmitters are designed and placed so as to avoid inadvertent triggering of the automated shutoffs. These transmitters and the receivers that are placed on all cars were designed by NHRA's Track Safety Committee and constructed by Electrimotion, and are a direct result of Kalitta's death.

Safety Safari

Within the safety requirements, there is also a full crew of safety personnel, called the Safety Safari, whose job is to attend to any fires, clean up the track of debris after an accident on the track, and attend to the drivers prior to the arrival of any medical personnel. The Safety Safari has been in place since the late 1960s, after a rash of on track accidents caused several promising drivers to retire early. Since that time the chance of fatal injuries has been decreased but not eliminated. There is also a full staff of EMTs on hand at any event on the schedule at any given time. These EMTs are usually from the city or county the track is located in, and are compensated by the NHRA for their time and efforts. Aeromedical services are also on hand at the track for airlifting severely injured persons to local hospitals or trauma centers if necessary.
The original 'Drag Safari' began their tour across America in 1954. Included were four original members: Bud Coons, Bud Evans, Eric Rickman and Chic Cannon.

Fatalities

Although there are several safety procedures in place to prevent fatal accidents, no amount of safety can completely prevent fatalities on the track.
NameLocationYear
"Sneaky" Pete RobinsonAuto Club Raceway at Pomona1971
John HagenBrainerd International Raceway1983
Lee ShepherdArdmore, Oklahoma1985
Blaine JohnsonIndianapolis Raceway Park1996
Elmer TrettIndianapolis Raceway Park1996
Carrie Jo NealSears Point International Raceway1997
John LingenfelterPomona2002
Darrell RussellGateway International Raceway2004
Shelly HowardTulsa, Oklahoma2005
Eric MedlenGainesville Raceway2007
John ShoemakerFamoso Raceway2008
Scott KalittaEnglishtown, NJ2008
Neal ParkerEnglishtown, NJ2010
Mark NiverPacific Raceways2010
Randy AlexanderAtlanta Dragway2018