Photos and story by John McCartney

In the long-storied history of Atco Dragway they have hosted many match races from the early days of funny cars and pro stockers up to the present day thrill show. Over this period of time fans always came out in record numbers to be entertained by what they would see on the famous Atco Dragway quarter mile. Folks in the early days were thrilled by the Jungle Jim funny car show along with the battles between Ronnie Sox and Bill Jenkins. Now a day fans are still treated to great thrills and spills even the names have changed.

This year’s edition of Atco Dragway Thrill show featured a little bit of something for everyone in the family no matter how old or young. If you dug the old time funny car match races you were in luck as four nostalgia funny cars were on hand to lay down smokey burnouts and race side by side down the drag strip. On hand on this Saturday night were Dave Sano in his Screamin Insanity Dodge Challenger, John Cerchio in his WarPath Buick Regal funny car.

Fans of the old China Syndrome campaigned back in the day by Al Hofmann got to see the new China Syndrome Chevy Vega Funny Car now owned and driven by George Reidnauer. For the ladies and girls in attendance they could cheer for Krista Massarella behind the wheel of her Temporary Insanity Chevy Monza funny car. All of these racers put on a great show much to the delight of all the fans.

Over the history of thrill shows and earlier match race fans always got a kick out of watching the jet cars race. These four wheeled flame throwers always get the crowd with their fire and smoke show.

At Atco Dragway on this night there were two jet funny cars out of the Hanna Motorsports stable, Al Hanna the leader of the Hanna Motorsports group has been running jet cars for many many years now. Along with the two jet funny cars the Hanna group also brought out a jet dragster to compete in the four car jet dragster field.

The Hanna family jet dragster were joined by a pair of jet dragsters out of the Larsen Motorsports stable as well. The Larsen Motorsports brought out the Florida Tech and House of Kolor jet dragsters. The jet dragster field was filled out by the Wicked Sinsation out of the Dawn Perdue Racing campaigned by driven by Dawn Perdue with tuning tips from long time Atco stand out Bob Van Sciver.

A pair of monster trucks in the form of Zombie Sniper and Killer Bee crushed and smashed junk cars to the delight of all on hand.

For fans of wheel standers got to see Rich Piper’s Hot Rod Fire Truck shot fire, send sparks all over the place as he raced down the track on two wheels. Closing out the show was Mo Stunts Entertainment as they performed a fiery car jump sailing through the Atco night air. After the car jump the night time sky was filled with a great fire work display to keep everyone even more entertained.

Atco Thrill show for the whole family to enjoy and take in.

The youngster who drive the junior dragster raced in the day time and a number of them were allowed to come back and race before the packed ground stands in between the thrill show rounds of racing. Atco Dragway is no doubt busy working on a great show for the 2024 racing season, but in the meantime check out the Atco Dragway for more great racing events.

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