I find myself saying this often, but the reality is that when these old drag racing films surface, one always seems to be better than the last. Such s the case with this amazing 20-minute video that was produced by Goodyear Tires and the ABC televison Network at the 1972 NHRA Winternationals. All the elements for an awesome watch are here. The film centers around Don Garlits and Don Prudhomme as each fight to win top fuel at the race. It is hosted by Keith Jackson, the famed announcer far better known for his stick and ball sports work but who was one of the definitive voices of drag racing on television during the 1960s and early 1970s. There’s candid interviews with Muldowney, Pat Garlits, Roland Leong, and a host of other people along with amazing race footage that you’ll love every second of.
One of the other awesome things you will see, which is rarely captured on tape is the battle between slingshot and rear engine dragsters. By 1972 the slingshot was pretty much in its death throes but as you will see, the sport was still unpredictable enough that it wasn’t a cake walk for the rear engine guys, either.
Among the best moments in this film are when Garlits gets into it with the NHRA technical department and argues his case against needing some sort of blower belt restraint. While he keeps it together while talking with the inspectors, he let’s them have it with both barrels in front of the camera after they are done. The best quote of the whole film is when he says that tech inspectors are often “looking at the wrong end of the horse,” when inspecting cars. How great is that?! It gives some insight into how tough Garlits was as a racer and competitor during this era.
The insight into Prudhomme’s weekend is fantastic as well. He nearly missed eliminations due to poor runs in qualifying (which was you will see was an open format then, not structured like now) and sneaks the car in. The coolest part of Prudhomme’s weekend? He and Big Daddy working together after one of them has been eliminated. Talk about a flipping dream team, right? WOW!
The voices you’ll hear other than Jacksons are the ones you’d expect. There’s Steve Evans and Big Mac rocking the microphone at the race track, each with their signature style and delivery. I reveled in listening to Jackson weave the story of this video. The guy’s use of words is spectacular and while I’m not sure that he wrote the script, whoever did understood the sport. The descriptive language used to talk about the cars and the culture are fantastic. He’s a cool customer for sure. This video is FULL OF WIN.
PRESS PLAY BELOW TO TAKE AN AMAZING TRIP TO THE 1972 NHRA WINTERNATIONALS WITH THE GREATEST NAMES AND VOICES IN THE SPORT
I was 14 when this was shot and got totally hooked on drag racing from the Wide World of Sports coverage. With a 10 second street car and a 7 second race car, my Mom still asks when I’m gonna grow up. Hopefully never!