This weekend the NHRA completes its first “threefer” of the year with the 2017 running of the vaunted Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Georgia. The triumvirate of races began with Houston, moved to Charlotte, and closes up at Atlanta. We’ll be on the grounds this weekend at the race and thought it would be fun to look back at the first ever NHRA national event that was held at the facility some 36 years ago. All of the heavy hitters were there and all of the professional categories are shown in this video. You’ll also see some sweet sportsman action as well.
As a guy who spends a couple of weekends a year at Atlanta Dragway we think the place gets more of a bum rap than it is deserved of. As an announcer it provides a great vantage point, which super tracks like zMax do not. As a spectator, the sunken design of the race track gives a better vantage point for those that are watching the cars, and there’s a pretty decently packed parking layout that does not have fans traipsing all the way to Timbuktu in order to see race cars and visit their favorite drivers. Back when this place opened it was certainly one of the premier facilities the country. While we would no longer put is as a true premier facility, it is not the crummy joint that some people want you to think that it is. I was there a few weeks ago for a highly successful NMCA/NMRA race and all indications are that this weekend is going to be insanely fast and fun.
So back to the video. This is a good watch because it takes us back to an interesting point in the sport. The tractor trailer era had begin and guys like Al Segrini had ’em but not everyone did. You’ll see Tripp Schumake’s guys swinging an engine out of the trailer and into a chassis by hand. You’ll see pro-stock racers wrenching on their stuff and trying to stop the mad charge of guys like Lee Shepard and Bob Glidden. You’ll see a sport that was heading (in very quick fashion) for an explosive decade of professionalism and growth in the 1980s. You’ll also see some of the same guys who are still involved in the sport today.
Who won?
1981 SOUTHERN NATIONALS, Atlanta
TF W: Shirley Muldowney R/U: Terry Capp
FC W: Tripp Shumake R/U: Kenny Bernstein
PS W: Lee Shepherd R/U: Frank Iaconio
TAD W: Joe Amato R/U: Chet Rickard
TAFC W: Frank Manzo R/U: Jerry Gwynn
COMP W: Ricky Klarr R/U: Steve Green
MOD W: Larry Kopp R/U: Eddie Conrad
SS W: Charlie Taylor R/U: Dave Brun
STK W: Don Holben R/U: Bud Rowe
Just as I’d take the Reagan administration over our current situation, I’d take the Diamond P production and broadcast over what (barely) passes for the current coverage. Things don’t necessarily get better. This way back video proves that. As a mobility impaired drag racing fan, I find Atlanta Dragway very accessible, less than 100 yards from handicap parking to handicapped seating, way better than Gainesville where you have to walk around and through the pits to get to handicapped seating, better to just get to the Gators way early and buy a GA ticket. Maybe a name change for the Georgia speed plant?, it’s 60 miles NE of Atlanta.
+1 For Diamond P.
I must have 15-20 VHS tapes full of Drags to Swamp Buggies.
I still have my ticket stub from that race. Reserved VIP on the starting line. All 3 days for $35. A great place to spectate back then. You were literally right on top of the cars. Different times. There was a sign on the spectator side \” No drugs, no firearms, no jug beer\”