From top fuel to mountain motor pro stock, this is a show that’ll have you smiling. For many, many years the IHRA opened their season with the Winternationals at Darlington Dragway in South Carolina. This video shows the 1999 version of that race and it really captures a moment in time when the IHRA was primed to go off like a drag racing bottle rocket. As an “IHRA guy” at the time because of the fact that New England Dragway was sanctioned by that organization and the tour came through town once a year, I loved watching these shows on ESPN2. The broadcast is hosted by Ted Jones and Aaron Polburn. Polburn would come to lead the organization years down the road and his chops as a long time track operator and announcer are clear to see in this show.
The names are the part we love the best here. From Steve “Hillbilly on Nitro” Smith in top fuel to Chris Karamesines also in the long cars, to Al Billes in pro mod, a fun feature on Quain Stott’s life, and alcohol funny car as a pro category, IHRA had a fun program at this time.
Darlington Dragway is a neat place. I had never visited the track before this year when we shot an episode of Put Up or Shut Up there. The surface is great and the unique “twin building” timing tower has been a staple of the joint since it opened in the 1970s.
A beautiful day in South Carolina greeted these competitors and the action was just as tight. Enjoy!
Great video, thanks for taking us back to more good memories. I can only hope that we see more of this in the near future from more than just one great racing organization. Miss seeing more classes. I have been a member of IHRA and NHRA and as a fan and occasional racer (when I can find the time and money), With all of the different organizations running, It is just great to see Drag Racing growing and branching out a bit. There is something for everyone somewhere in the Sport and we Love it. Thanks for sharing.