As you read this the majority of the top tier teams in the NHRA drag racing world are either at the track making test runs or they are on their way to the track to make their testing runs to close out this off-season. The 2016 rendition of the NHRA Winternationals is set to kick off next week and the last bit of big testing the teams will get done before that happens this week at Phoenix. A quietly momentous occasion will also happen this week in Phoenix as the new broadcast and production team will work together for the first time, making a “dry run” of their show before setting up shop in Pomona for real. This will mark the first time NHRA has had full production control on their TV show in the history of the company.
The 2016 NHRA Circle K Winternationals also mark something else pretty neat. That of course is the 50th anniversary of Shirley Shahan becoming the first woman to ever hoist a national event trophy in the winner’s circle of an NHRA national event. No, it was not a Wally as those did not get handed to winners until the 1969 season. The Drag-On Lady won stock eliminator that weekend , defeating Ken Heinemann in the final round. Her success has been followed by many other women and we think it is cool that Shirley broke down the door 50 years ago.
Also that weekend Mike Snively won top fuel for the second year in a row. He was driving Roland Leong’s Hawaiian dragster and defeated Jim Dun in the final round with an elapsed time of 7.54 and a top speed of 209mph. As one of only four national events on the 1966 schedule, it was a BIG deal to take home a victory. For you real drag geeks out there, Hugh Tucker also took home an event win in his domineering AA/street roadster entry. That’s one of the coolest cars in drag racing history to us.
While the NHRA Winternationals of 1966 had some historical significance that won’t soon be forgotten, the Winters of 2016 are bringing a lot of history on their own and if things shake out like we think, it’ll be the kind of experience that rewards modern drag racing fans.
I love this era of drag racing, motors up front, funny cars looked like the cars they represented and the 1/4 mile was 1320 feet.
After this watch…COMPETITIONPLUS.COM – 1969 NHRA U.S. NATIONALS.
Pure Sex on a cold winter’s day.
OMG that was 50 years ago?, it seams like yesterday. Thanks to whoever wrote the article above for the “cool” compliment. Those were the days. Hot Rod Magazine wrote that our AA/Street roadster is the only CAR to have won Winternational Eliminator titles 3 times. That being 62, 63 & 66. Can anyone disprove that? The only thing I do know for sure is, it was the FIRST car and driver to win 3. That and $5 will get us a Latte at Starbucks.
We would love to be there to help celebrate the 50th, but it’s just not in the cards. The roadster is proudly sitting in the NHRA Museum and will have to represent the family.
Best wishes to all and thanks for the memories.
Hugh Tucker