The Secret History of Drag Racing: Mythbusting, Revelations, and A Look at Its Wild Origins

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 มิ.ย. 2024
  • Lots of people know about modern drag racing but very few people know about the strange roots of the sport and how things have evolved over the years. From the odd rules, classes, procedures, and practices of the old days to the cars and people that made them great.
    In this deep dive into drag racing history we go back to the origins of the sport, the earliest rules, the earliest classes, and dispel some myth as well as explain the hows and whys of drag racing's chaotic first couple of decades. Multiple jump starts determined the winner of the first NHRA national event, Indy class winners got to sit out on Monday until the final. How expensive was nitro back then? All this and more...here!
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  • @Grumpy_Stiltskin
    @Grumpy_Stiltskin 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +99

    One of my oldest memories is that of my Mother racing our 66 Comet in the late 60's. I recall my Father being mad because she had to race against big block cars, as there weren't many women racers (powder puff race), the little 289 didn't stand much of a chance. As a little kid, it was cool to see Mom on the track and I'll never forget it.

    • @jackperry9369
      @jackperry9369 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

      Heck yeah dude that's cool stuff😂

    • @Mike583
      @Mike583 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      I had a friend that had a '66 Cyclone 390 GTA. It was built up & it was pretty fast. He beat a '69 Chevelle w/396 cowl induction. Also a '68 Firebird w/400.

    • @happydays8171
      @happydays8171 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

      Your mom sounds cool!
      Thanks for sharing.

    • @randalljames1
      @randalljames1 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      I have a 66 GT390 Cyclone... 390 was breathing heavy so it got refreshed to a 445 FE.. My mentor tuned on Ongias driven cars as well as other MT rides (*RIP Amos Satterlee )

    • @currentbatches6205
      @currentbatches6205 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Grumpy, your old shop is now occupied by one of my commercial accounts.

  • @ronw59
    @ronw59 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Boy, this one brought back memories. When we used to go to THE Nationals in Indy, we'd tour around to all of the motels in the evening watching the Top Fuel & Funnies being worked on, since like you said, no one was allowed to stay inside the track. Thanks, Brian, you made this 80 year old feel young again!

  • @FarmerKen355
    @FarmerKen355 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    Nice work. I started drag racing in 1963 with my E/Gas Sedan, by 1964 I was racing my home built A/Altered which ran low 9’s. I have NHRA rules books going back to 1963. After an Asian holiday I returned in 1969 with my A/Dragster. I raced Top Alcohol Dragster with a blown alcohol Rodeck Chevy from 1984 to 1989. We won a bunch of UDRA events and Championships and some NHRA events as well. We low qualified at the 86US Nationals. After my wife died in 1990 I moved to Australia where I have built cars, built engines and flowed fuel systems for over thirty years.
    Good job with the history. Loved it.

    • @ThomasELeClair
      @ThomasELeClair หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Drag Racing veteran,,,,,You are also a legend of our sport................................................................................

  • @tomcumbey9029
    @tomcumbey9029 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +29

    I love the real history you’ve presented here Brian! Thank you for not simply romanticizing history. History is often times not as glamorous as we like to recall decades later.

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      Tom, thanks for taking the time to watch it

    • @xmo552
      @xmo552 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      @@brianlohnes3079
      Could you explain all the AA/F, A/F, etc classes ?

  • @daryllect6659
    @daryllect6659 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +33

    Here's a little drag racing tidbit -
    In the 60s, in NHRA, stock cars were divided into classes using a formula. In fact, it was called "formula racing."
    The formula was advertised weight divided by advertised horsepower. There were classes "A" through "N" stock.
    Some stock engines made more power than they were advertised to have. Some engines made MUCH more power than advertised. Oldsmobiles were on of 'em, making them natural winners.
    We had 3 of 'em and ran K, L , M and N Stock for that exact reason. We easily set strip records everywhere we went.
    Super Stock was a prime example. Some Super Stock engines were ridiculously under-rated.
    Finally, NHRA wised up and started "factoring" the horsepower.

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

      It’s all discussed here. And smart racers sure knew how to work the system!

    • @caribman10
      @caribman10 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      Happened with the 327/"300 hp" engine....it got refactored.

    • @billlamb1937
      @billlamb1937 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

      I don't recollect NHRA Stock racing ever being called formula racing. However AHRA had a class called Formula Stock. A single class would have three Formulas, one for two barrel carburetors, one for four barrel carburetors and one for multiple carburetors.

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

      @@billlamb1937 bingo Bill

    • @johnshackelford6965
      @johnshackelford6965 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      1990 ED the Ace shop Ventura California quit.

  • @mikewells1407
    @mikewells1407 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    Thanks for the lesson. Our house was on same country road that Indianapolis Raceway Park (home of the National Drags on Labor Day weekend ) was on. Family moved in when I was 6 in 1967. Got to see the Kings and Queens of the sport. Still love to take 1st timers to watch their reactions to a funny car or top fuel burnout , from the bleach box area. I remember the staggered starts but they had the tree determine starts with green lights staggered, couldn't take off till your side gave you a green light. Loved funny cars, especially The Mongoose, Tom McEwen , The Blue Max, Raymond Beadle obviously Don the "Snake" Prudhomme, Don Garlits, Shirley "Cha Cha" Muldowney

  • @retiredguy7273
    @retiredguy7273 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Tasca Ford, legendary. Great thumbnail thanks for the vid!

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you for checking it out!

  • @jfrockon
    @jfrockon 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +15

    Brian, I love these kind of videos so much, and you narrate the stories so well. Thank you.

  • @MiscRocketVideos
    @MiscRocketVideos 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +16

    Great stuff!!!! The only way we can truly love our sport is to learn the roots and Brian Lohnes is giving us the short course into loving drag racing!

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      100% appreciate you saying this. Means a lot.

  • @claytontaylor2800
    @claytontaylor2800 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

    Lots of great images that I have never seen before (OMG The Greek and the Zookeeper at Bristol!) but the Bill Lawton vs. Willie Borsch photo is an absolute gem - that made my day. Well done!

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Perhaps my single favorite drag racing image ever

  • @martymorse2
    @martymorse2 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +32

    One of my favorite books is High Performance: The Culture and Technology of Drag Racing, 1950-1990 written by Dr, Professor Robert C. Post. That books ranks right up there on my all time list of sport books. Who would have figured that a Professor with ties to the Johns Hopkins Studies in the History of Technology would write a book about the History of Drag Racing? Another great look at the history of Drag Racing Brian. I really admire your work.

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

      Dr Post is a legend in my mind and his book is phenomenal. Both editions!

    • @proracer382d
      @proracer382d 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      Awesome topic, and delivery as always Mr. Lohnes

    • @TomHaroldArt
      @TomHaroldArt 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Thanks for mentioning this book by Post. I now have a new one on my Amazon list to pick up. Sounds like a great one!

    • @martymorse2
      @martymorse2 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      You are welcome. Excellent book!@@TomHaroldArt

    • @ThomasELeClair
      @ThomasELeClair หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      ,,,,,,,,let me get up and reach for the pen ; another gem of a book I need for my Library.......At 73 ,,,how much have I missed ; been an avid reader of Drag Racing since 1965......still have the dec. 1965 issue , my first car magazine ; there was a 66 GTO on the cover......It's here in my bedroom , and I have not looked at it in decades......It was an issue of Petersens Car Craft magazine [ the sibling of Hot Rod magazine ]

  • @vehdynam
    @vehdynam 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +17

    Wow ! That must have taken hours of research , very well done . These episodes of yours are my favorites as is all drag racing. I will have to watch this one a second time at least. Greatly appreciated ,and many thanks Brian.

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      A sincere thank you!!

    • @eugenegilleno9344
      @eugenegilleno9344 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      If you lived through those days, no research would be required. We lived Drag Racing and it was a fairly cheap sport to be part of.....unlike these days.

  • @Airsally
    @Airsally 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    Love your drag racing history lesson. Grew up @ 2 miles from Irwindale raceway. We loved the 32 funny car meets,and the east vs west meets back in the 60's. We were there every week.

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      What an epic time and place to be a part of

  • @frankdragottasfranktv7675
    @frankdragottasfranktv7675 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    Brian! You have outdone yourself! Thank you so much! As a 66yr old you are bringing back amazing memories! Your Friend Frank!

  • @af4od02
    @af4od02 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Excellent video. Thanks. My father participated in Drag Racing in the late 1950’s in the Southeast at abandoned military air fields. He said occasionally, the race promoters would have 1/2 mile drags. Dad said the cars really felt light in the front end as you approached the finish line at these events. Rear end gearing was crucial. Dad said he felt the speeds attained by these basically stock cars with stock tires was a bit unsafe.
    Dad also participated in some 1/4 mile “dirt” drags. Dad’s car was a heavy stock class car with an automatic transmission. Dad said this combination yielded great results against the lighter clutch 4 speed cars who couldn’t get good traction for half a track.
    I remember the staggered starts in the late 1960’s. The slower car was staged several car lengths down strip of the faster class car. The fans did get into these races.
    Thanks for the video.

  • @TheSquirrel72
    @TheSquirrel72 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    Thanks for the history lesson,my first trip to a drag race was in 1967.Can never learn enough about this sport,may it always survive in a world where things are forgotten,and tossed to the side.😎

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Amen to thaf

    • @ThomasELeClair
      @ThomasELeClair หลายเดือนก่อน

      ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,My first time was at 18 yrs young,,,,,,,in 1969,,,,,,,,,,,,New York National speedway , in suffolk county Long Island N Y ..................

  • @aperson4713
    @aperson4713 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

    This is a great video as always! I'd love a video on the gas class and the birth of gassers and rules that governed the class.

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      That would be a great oje

  • @P_RO_
    @P_RO_ 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Darn good content here- you just gained a sub. You can go back even further when the SCTA started; they began the practice of running regularly scheduled organized standing-start races with professional grade timing equipment to ensure the accuracy of the results. Instead of paper slips you could get a small brass plaque to put on your car showing it's top speed to 1/10 MPH to impress your buddies. They were also the first drag race sanctioner to incorporate as a business for legal protection and to obtain insurance for their meets.
    Regardless of what the Beach Boys sang about, cars which could do 140 were extreme rarities way back then, with most of the best hot rods running around 125 over a carefully measured mile. The later drag racing sanctioning bodies emerged from that on discovering that almost all the speed possible with cars from those times happened in a quarter mile so there was no real need to have tracks any longer, and that's where the 1/4 mile standard for drag tracks originated.
    Now to go into the rabbit-hole of your older vids 😊

  • @pattys409
    @pattys409 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Thank you so much for such a great video. Coming from a former competition eliminator competitor I thoroughly enjoyed the breakdown of all the classes that battled it out. Thanks again WONDERFUL VIDEO

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you very much for watching and enjoying it

  • @boblill8476
    @boblill8476 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Best presentation yet by far of the history of the quirks of Drag Racing . Keep up the good work .

  • @bdr3125
    @bdr3125 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Brian,I hope you do more of these,your knowledge of my favorite sport is amazing and I love any history about it, nothing like hearing the stories of the what I call the more fun times,I especially love the 70's,80's and 90's,the old pro stocks and funny cars,early pro mods,this with your amazing way to tell a story is something worth listening to,I also love your announcing on tv

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I am going to keep cranking on them. Thanks for watching these and thanks for being a fan of the NHRA!

  • @user-wn1hp4nj5j
    @user-wn1hp4nj5j 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Acres of almond trees lined the interstate highway which complimented the crazy driving nuts.

  • @josephpacchetti5997
    @josephpacchetti5997 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Interesting video, my first trip to a dragstrip was in 1966, Nitromethane now on Hyperfules is on sale, for $19.99 reg $32.99, and a top fule dragster burns 16-23 gallons in warm-up, burnout, and 4 sec run, very expensive, Thank Brian, subbed. 👊 😎

  • @Adam-nv9zo
    @Adam-nv9zo 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    The research that goes into these drag racing history videos must be pretty time-consuming given the depth you go into. Great work. 👍

  • @Alone-ut7mc
    @Alone-ut7mc 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Wow , this is a great video. Very informative, and for me some great nostalgia. I was born in 61 and my Dad was Drag Racing up til then. So growing up I became a fan through the enthusiasm Dad had for cars . Model cars , local tracks , Hot Wheels , but he never went back to racing because of the expense, but we were and I still am a Huge Drag Racing fan. As you might be able to tell this video has really triggered some great memories . I got to see an awesome Drag Racing Era, the late 60's , 70's , 80's and 90's . Evolution continued with rules that has almost ruined Drag Racing . I absolutely hate 1/8 mile Racing, but what can you do. Awesome Video Thank You
    Yeah I hit all the buttons 😂

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you for watching it!

  • @ricknorrington2211
    @ricknorrington2211 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Great History lesson!! I totally love the roots of drag racing and always learning something new!!
    Thanks Brian for your passion of drag racing and sharing it!!🏁🤘

  • @roberthevern6169
    @roberthevern6169 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    If I remember correctly, R/C planes use nitromethane as fuel! That is where I grew to love the smell of 'nitro' exhaust when I was just a kid in the 60s!
    Yee haw!

    • @michaellytle4968
      @michaellytle4968 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      yes they did and i and my friends put r/c fuel in a mini bike it ran good till the engine let go haha!!

    • @bobroberts2371
      @bobroberts2371 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Part of the smell was the was Castor oil added to the nitro as a lube

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Right on all accounts!

  • @88SC
    @88SC 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Off on a tangent here, but the Funny Cars being transported on slant backs in the open, reminded me of the occasional interstate encounter of a top competitor en route to the next event. I distinctly remember our car passing The Hawaiian while headed north on I-5 in Oregon.

  • @Wildman9
    @Wildman9 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I must say Brian you are our new , Steve Evans . Been following your career and you've learned from the best . 👍

  • @billkenney422
    @billkenney422 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Thanks for this. When I saw Taska Ford funny car in your cover page I was in. Being 72 now I had started an interest in drag racing when the first funny cars began showing up. A wonderful time to grow up.

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Bill thanks for sharing this.

  • @alanquintus2069
    @alanquintus2069 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Learned a lot from this video. My favorite videos of yours are the one's featuring unusual or famous cars. Buddy Ingersol for example. Would be cool if you did one on. the Winged Express. Keep up the good work 👍

  • @jimklinkhardt5495
    @jimklinkhardt5495 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I just watched this on TV today (2/8/24). One word. Fantastic! Thanks Brian.

  • @merylpelosi8485
    @merylpelosi8485 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    This was great! I remember going with my brother's B/MSP car to Continental Divide Raceway South of Castle Rock, Co. in '64 for the High-Altitude Nationals. At 10 years old, I was hooked.

    • @markmark2080
      @markmark2080 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I was at CDR, in '65 I believe, when a brand new 396 Sting Ray raced a 289/385 hp Cobra DragonSnake, I believe the Cobra won, it was close, but the most exciting single race I can remember from my high school years. One can still see traces of that race complex on google earth, great memories. I did my little bit of racing up at the Mountain View drag strip just east of the town of Erie, one can still see traces of part of it just south Hwy 52 and the Erie High School on google earth...cheers

  • @TomHaroldArt
    @TomHaroldArt 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    What an oustanding piece of journalism. Thanks so much, Brian, for putting time into researching all the details for this piece. I always look forward to your videos, because I know they will be well-researched and well-informed, which makes them all the more fascinating to listen to. Thanks again, great work!

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Appreciate this Tom! Wow. Thank you.

  • @DonoldMcPeterson
    @DonoldMcPeterson 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    This is one of the best channels on youtube as far as I am concerned. I gotta get caught up. At least 4 or 5 videos I haven't seen.

  • @billlamb1937
    @billlamb1937 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Another good one! I attended my first drag race at a small local track in 1963, but this still filled in a lot of gaps.

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      That’s fantastic Bill, thank you for watchjng

  • @JMLUSA1
    @JMLUSA1 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    MAAAAAAN You speak in the cadence and inflection of the "Old days" !!!! Steve Evans would be Proud!!!! Thanks for these videos!!!!!

  • @cadmanchannel
    @cadmanchannel 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Thank you Brian! I started drag racing now and then in 1968 as Fremont Dragstrip was a few miles from home. I raced my daily driver, as that is all I had. Fremont was a place we went to watch and race in the 70s. The last car of my own I raced there was a '64 Vette with a L-88 427. I still have some time slips and trophies, and yes, I sometimes drove it to work.

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Sounds gnarly! Must have flown with the L-88 engine!

    • @cadmanchannel
      @cadmanchannel 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Remember, it was a street car. 11:72 at 117. We can buy faster cars at a dealer these days, but that was quick for the early '70s. Thanks again, Brian.
      I have 6 motorcycles these days, and both of my Ninjas would have beat the Vette at the drags.

  • @6bblbird104
    @6bblbird104 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Thanks Brian! Another great video on my favorite sport's history.
    Here is an interesting story regarding the christmas tree starting system.
    I raced at NY National Speedway in the '70s. I had heard that track manager, Ed Eaton was instrumental in the development of that system, he told me that he was. He also told me that he regretted designing it as a count down system. It wasn't universally liked (understatement) and he did not like the anticipation factor which created (in his opinion) too many red lights. That pretty much explained why NYNS used what was essentially a Pro Tree system with a single yellow before the green. Another story for another day is how that starting system led to deep staging and eventually delay boxes!
    Walter Frey

  • @joshuagibson2520
    @joshuagibson2520 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    What a kick ass video. Certainly one of the best I have ever seen regarding Drag Racing.

  • @yeahitskimmel
    @yeahitskimmel 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    This channel has the crazy highest ratio of quality to subscribers for any automotive YT channel.
    How have more ppl not found these amazing videos that are like little else in the genre?

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      First off thank you. The fun for me is in making this stuff.

  • @patofdubois1
    @patofdubois1 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    I love that you used so many pics from Sanair! This was my local track for a long while until it basically shut down. This was THE only National event I could attend because I had no driver’s license! Miss this event tremendously. I actually regularly wrench on some older NASCAR stuff at the adjacent Tri-Oval (also no longer raced at) for some « driving experience » school. Nice job on these video Brian!!

  • @ed.puckett
    @ed.puckett 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I love your videos, and your presentation style makes them really fun!

  • @RexCars1
    @RexCars1 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    WOW !!!!... You really did your homework for this one..... Another Great Vid.. Thanks Brian..

  • @jackperry9369
    @jackperry9369 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Thanks Brian you got yourself another subscriber here Love this old vintage drag race stuff keep them coming

  • @dathyr1
    @dathyr1 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Thanks for the video explanations. I went as a young spectator back in the late 1960'-1970's and went to see the Funny Car events. They were very impressive, fast, and loud. I miss those years of Drag Racing. i still have some home super 8 films of a couple of events.
    Take care.

  • @Irish_For_Life1842
    @Irish_For_Life1842 24 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    I have seen national events in person as well as the local bracket racing AKA handicapped racing. IMO bracket racing is much more exciting and fun to watch. The one exception for me is experiencing how violent the feel of the top fuel dragsters running are. When you are 1/4 a mile from the starting line and the ground pounds beneath you while the truck you are sitting on shakes and creaks. That can now be approximated (not replaced) by watching a Street Outlaws show. The best racing is still bracket racing, but the street outlaws are second for me now as the competition is extremely tight and the personalities harken back to the beginning of drag racing. Note I never said organized drag racing. Any racing you watch is always better in person than being at home watching on TV.
    My hope is that everyone can find the drag racing that you enjoy most while experiencing all that drag racing has to offer. If you want to participate, then I probably would start at bracket racing at your local track and work your way from there unless you have a parent named Force or the like lol. Always remember to be safe, use the right safety equipment and race smart.

  • @dwightbernheimer331
    @dwightbernheimer331 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    One thing's for sure... You certainly did some Research... Much appreciated... I was one of the announcers at Connecticut Dragway in the early 70's...

  • @elducko1951
    @elducko1951 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Wow, what a fantastic history lesson!!
    Thanks very much!

  • @mb123tdt
    @mb123tdt 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Awesome documentary! Best regards from Warsaw, POLAND

  • @mitchstott4004
    @mitchstott4004 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Well Brian you have certainly discovered a number of things and or processes that have changed in Drag Racing thru the years for me. Thanks for the true history and the time required to put this video together. I will have to say this will likely be used as a Drag Racing fact checker for years for to come. Thanks again. Mitch Stott

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Mitch, this is high praise coming from you!!!!

    • @mitchstott4004
      @mitchstott4004 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@brianlohnes3079 I can say the same back to you Brian. Been a longtime fan of yours ol friend. Hope you have a blessed New Year

  • @The_Performance_Laboratory
    @The_Performance_Laboratory 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Outstanding history lesson here. Thanks Brian for doing the research on this, and making these videos.

  • @kurtbyars766
    @kurtbyars766 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Brian I thank you for sharing this ! I grew up around drag racing and this was more than I expected and I've known a lot more the the average person about this !!

  • @Coffeeblackplease
    @Coffeeblackplease 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Here we go baby me and my boy are popping popcorn and getting ready for it

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Wow! This is awesome. Hope you enjoyed it!!

  • @happydays8171
    @happydays8171 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Thanks for all the work compiling this, Brian. Can't believe its gotten 78k views at this writing. Hope it means a rebirth for the sport, and 16 car plus fields show up for events.

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Well, this year we have nearly 16 full time top fuel cars. Last year we had very few short fields. Funny car is also up at least one full timer, maybe 2. We’re making progress!

    • @happydays8171
      @happydays8171 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@brianlohnes3079
      Thanks!
      Great to hear.

  • @elborrachogrande
    @elborrachogrande 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I've always loved the history of our sport, and as a crewmember on a nostalgia top fueler, I've heard a few tall tales from back in the day. I knew about the class racing on Saturday and the Sunday Eliminator titles but I had no idea how crazy that system was. Thanks again Brian for your incredible research and these amazing videos that carry on the history of our sport.

  • @stephenlea5765
    @stephenlea5765 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Another great video Brian! Thanks for doing the extensive research.

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thanks for watching Stephen

  • @acetomatocompany
    @acetomatocompany 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Thanks for showing. 👍

  • @duck539
    @duck539 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Anytime I Hear your voice ..I Know Im Getting The Straight Scoop !! Thanks Mr Lohnes !! You Are NHRA !! Started watching racing in HMB in 65 My Son and I have not missed a race at Baylands Or Sonoma since 1987 !! See You at Pomona

  • @ClovisChitwood
    @ClovisChitwood 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I'm really digging these videos, keep 'em coming

  • @george1la
    @george1la 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    What an education. I am 76 and started racing in high school and cruising and racing on Van Nuys Blvd. when it was certainly jumping. It looks like I started just when the XMas tree came into being. I remember no more rails at San Fernando when they went more than 160 or they would crash. Street cars now regularly go way over 200 in the quarter now. In fact, 250 has been crossed in Drag and Drive. These are not single purpose trailered cars. They are now making in street cars on methanol 4-5,000 HP somewhat reliably. Just like in aerospace the progress is dramatic. I now drive a 1969 Chevy G 10 van with a built 350. It is so simple and easy to work on. However, it has over 1.5 million miles on it. Do not maintain and what happens? New cars are kool and faster with more mileage but they do not last and are extremely expensive to maintain with high insurance. As soon as it goes off of warranty you have to get rid of it.

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      1.5 million!!?! You are hero!

  • @customkey
    @customkey 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Check out Wild Willie in the Winged Express driving with one hand on the wheel. Also, I saw Dave Koffel's Flintstone Flyer Packard. You should come out here to the North East Division and feature the Junior Stockers. The Land of NED had the most NHRA national record holders and national champions in the junior stock section and the tricks they used to get speed was mind boggling. Very scientific.

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Well, as I gave been a D1 guy my whole life, I am familiar! We have ace level stock and super stock racers up here for sure!

  • @davidbeard8803
    @davidbeard8803 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    How does this channel not have 500k subscribers? You've got to know a million people and I'm sure half of them would watch this

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Hey, maybe it’ll get there someday!

  • @Dave-mi3jy
    @Dave-mi3jy 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    As a fan of the sport for many decades I never knew these factoids, thank you Brian.

  • @HPSFRoadrunner
    @HPSFRoadrunner 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Another excellent, informative essay. Thanks!

  • @basiatbrown
    @basiatbrown 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great history lesson Brian! Thanks. One note though. The 1962 Winternationals Street Eliminator was run heads up with a flagman and no staggered starts. My car won class on Saturday, the B/SP Corvette of Grassman Osterman Nicholson & Wade. On Sunday everyone one in Street Eliminator ran heads up with a flagman, with the final winner being Earl Wade in Mike Lenke's Corvette over KS Pittman. Earl said the only reason he beat KS in his faster car was that he was asleep. During Street Eliminator rounds my 283 cu in Corvette drew Hayden Proffitt in his 434 cu in A/FX Pontiac and they ran heads up. Check out the Petersen Digital Archive, the race is there with both cars even on the start line. Again, great video! Thanks!

  • @Jimmysidecarr
    @Jimmysidecarr 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Amazing video! Thank you for doing such a great job!

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Thanks for watching Jimmy!

  • @thenglishannel
    @thenglishannel 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    excellent work man, keep it up

  • @bradfordeaton6558
    @bradfordeaton6558 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I was at the '65 AHRA Nationals. It was great! Eliminations were on my 16th birthday. My birthday present from my dad to both of us. That means I'm going to be 75 at the end of this month. Drag racing was more accessible in those days.

  • @uselesspropaganda7693
    @uselesspropaganda7693 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Wow Brian I've watched several of your posts and had to subscribe they are fantastic. I grew up residing across the street from one of Fritz Voit's daughters (Vicky ) and my oldest brother went to high school and dated Melinda Voit . So Fritz Voit was a kind of hero for us kids who dug racing and cars. One thing stood out about Fritz's race cars They weren't pretty, have you heard the expression "if it don't go chrome it" well I'm sure the originator was looking at one of Fritz's cars when he said it. Keep em coming B.

  • @zackwest7215
    @zackwest7215 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thank you Brian for making these great historical videos. I wish I was alive back then.

  • @clifford3113
    @clifford3113 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    EXCELLENT IS THE WORD FOR ( ALL ) YOUR HARD WORK . Looking FORWARD TO YOUR NEXT HISTORY LESSONS . THANKS AGAIN . PS THERE WAS A BEAUTIFUL ( TORNADO ) WITH 2 or 4 Engines And Of Course 4 Wheel Drive . COOL MAN COOL FROM OC CA

    • @clifford3113
      @clifford3113 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      It was a Dragster ? I think . Thanks Again

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Clifford, the history of the Terrifying Toronado is coming soon.

  • @mikecurtis2585
    @mikecurtis2585 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Great interesting video! Always fun to hear the history!

  • @curthenry9398
    @curthenry9398 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    As a kid i was lucky to have two drag strips within bicycle riding distance from our home. Us kids would ride to the strip and hid our bikes in the woods. No money for admission we would climb the fence across the spectator parking lot and blend into the crowd. I am sure that the staff seen us but did not care, they probably seeing us a future paying customers. Mid 60's the days of altered wheelbase funny cars. One Sunday there were 16 funny cars including my favorite driver, Tom Hoover and his original Showtime funny car. One of the best days of my life.

  • @sharp-1000
    @sharp-1000 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Having drag raced in the late 60s and early 70s I really appreciate how it is done today it may progress a bit slower but the competition is much better

  • @jimmyhamm6041
    @jimmyhamm6041 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    As a Kid zi loved to watch NHRA tge Altred drags were great . Need a come back .

  • @Swampfox612
    @Swampfox612 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    This was fantastic. Super job!

  • @danielness3319
    @danielness3319 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    these videos are great, you are a beutiful well of drag racing knowlege. thanks for sharing these stories!

  • @hovsepian
    @hovsepian 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Nicely done!

  • @williamscoggin1509
    @williamscoggin1509 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Wow, who would have thought....
    Very well made video.

  • @johnclark1525
    @johnclark1525 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Very informative. Nice job.

  • @denisiwaszczuk1176
    @denisiwaszczuk1176 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Well done as always Brian. That picture of guy pouring Nitro into jug so Wild . I ran Nitro in RC Boat in Younger days cost 8 bucks a pint in Australia . I Read Smokeys book . Standard fuel for standard engines he said . Blew a few engines from Lawn mowers to VW,s Had lots of fun. Keep up the great work

  • @johnfitzgerald4456
    @johnfitzgerald4456 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    All your videos remind me of my youth. Races on Sundays on TV and I could hear Islip Speedway all weekend long.

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      John those are good memories

  • @timrayburn2461
    @timrayburn2461 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Outstanding work.Thank you

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thanks for taking the time to check it out

  • @melodigrand
    @melodigrand 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Great memories. I first saw a dragster in 1962. Sixteen year old Robert Stirling had built an injected Chrysler A Gas Dragster and brought it to the local Scout-O-Rama as an example of a Boy Scout's hobby. Robert would go on to build nostalgia front engine dragster chassis in the 1990s. In 1962 there were half mile drags at Half Moon Bay and other places. I think that dragster could reach 180 there.

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Stirling’s cars won many, many big nostalgia TF meets. How amazing.

  • @4trialsin
    @4trialsin 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Great info video. I started in the late 70’s. By then we were starting down the road of bracket racing.

    • @P_RO_
      @P_RO_ 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I stopped going to the local strips when the bracket disease set in. Racing is about fast, not slowing your car to avoid breaking out. I recall LMAO when the national VW meet drag was won by some guy in a diesel Rabbit with an automatic who was by far the slowest car in the field simply because he ran the most consistent times.

  • @jeanettecolman6508
    @jeanettecolman6508 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thanks for telling the storey Brian Loved it................

  • @partsdinosaur_retired
    @partsdinosaur_retired 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Great stuff, again, Bryan! My black and white memories were in there! TY

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Fantastic and thank you for watching

  • @Thunderbird1968
    @Thunderbird1968 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Love your content. Can you do a video explaining current NHRA classes and their basic requirements?

  • @otcprepper645
    @otcprepper645 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Thank you Brian, I truly enjoyed this video...😊

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thanks for taking the time to watch it

  • @jimanderson1355
    @jimanderson1355 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Nicely done piece. A good follow-up would be recalling all the ingenuity and creativity that was developed from the Jr. Stock ranks that permeates the sport even today.

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Those guys were genius level

  • @dragonbutt
    @dragonbutt 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I hope you eventually do a history on some of the technologies to drag racing, specifically the tires. Drag slicks and drag radials have evolved a lot over the span of like 70 years

  • @z06doc86
    @z06doc86 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Another enlightening video from Brian. Let’s spread the word and help him build new subscribers and grow the channel!

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thanks doc!

    • @jackperry9369
      @jackperry9369 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thanks Brian you got yourself a subscriber here

  • @TillrockART
    @TillrockART 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Crazy Cool Brian! Thanks!!!

  • @IowaBudgetRCBashers
    @IowaBudgetRCBashers 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    My hometown dragstrip Cordova is the oldest continuously operating purpose built dragstrip in the country.

  • @RandallSoong-pp7ih
    @RandallSoong-pp7ih 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Epic. Love it!!

  • @lamarzimmermanmennonitefar5269
    @lamarzimmermanmennonitefar5269 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Thanks for another great episode!

  • @donmears4090
    @donmears4090 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Brian, I like history, cars and drag racing so this was a homerun for me!

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Fantastic, glad to hear it!

  • @nitrochampion
    @nitrochampion 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    "LIKE ALWAYS " Thank you for these videos!

  • @brianiswrong
    @brianiswrong 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Fantastic work Brian.
    This should be on a loop at the don garlits museum.
    I had no idea that back in the day speed was recorded and the ET was a mathematical number.

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Glad you got something out of it!!