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BILLY KLEINSPEHN  IMAGES NHRA PHOTO

With this season being the 75th Anniversary of the NHRA and with it being Indy I decided to look back 25 years ago to the 2001 event which was the 500th event in NHRA History in their 50th anniversary season.

Here is my pick 5 moments from that event

 It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years already since the NHRA was celebrating its golden 50th Anniversary in 2001. As the saying goes time flys when you’re having fun.
 

The ’01 US Nationals will go down as one of the greatest National Events in NHRA History and the highlight event of the 01 season as it marked the 500th National Event in NHRA history with a huge celebration of legends from the past and the legends of the future.

 So let’s take a step back in time and let’s take a cruise down memory as we give you our Pick 5 Moments from the 01 US Nationals.

Number 5 Like Father Like Son

The sport of NHRA Drag Racing has featured many great Father Son Duos like the Bernstein’s Warren and Kurt Johnson and the Dixons.

In the Stock Eliminator Final fans got to witness a father son final round between Jim Waldo and Eric Waldo.   It was the kid Eric getting the win as Jim would get to the finish line first but would break out running a 10.56 on a 10.61 dial in.

 

NUMBER 4 At Last

By the time of the 01 US Nationals Angelle Sampay had virtually won everything there was in Pro Stock Bike from the Winston Championship to winning National Events.

 But one thing missing from her resume was a US Nationals win.
 
After becoming the winningest female in Motorsports History earlier that season breaking the tie with Shirley Muldowney at the Mile High Nationals Sampay finally broke through for a US Nationals win defeating future teammate and Top Fuel Champion Antron Brown in the final.
 

NUMBER 3 When I’m Back On My Feet Again

In 1990 28 year old was on top of the Drag Racing world. He had just finished 4 in the 89 Winston standings ran a 4.90 during the Houston event and picked up his second straight Top Fuel win at his home National Event the Gators.

On Easter Sunday of that year Darrell would suffer career ending injuries in an exhibition pass at Santa Pod which would leave Darrell wheelchair  Dispute the accident Darrell remained active in the sport as a team owner in the Top Fuel ranks.

Before the opening Top Fuel qualifying session of the weekend Darrell made an emotional pass down the track his first since the accident in 90 in an electronic powered dragster while the hit song When I’m  Back On My Feet Again by Michael Bolton playing over the pa as Darrell going 15 mph down the track to a stand ovation from the huge crowd in attendance.

 The special moment was not only one of the most emotional moments of the weekend but the whole 2001 season.
 

Number 2 When Time Stood Still

In Drag Racing history there is no greater rivalry then Garlits and Muldowney.

Two of the best to ever sit behind the wheel of a Top Fuel Dragster the first two to win 3 NHRA Top Fuel Championships and two stars who’s names not only help build the sport but transcend outside of the sport into pop culture.

During the 3rd qualifying session in front of a huge crowd the two met with another special legend Buster Couch NHRA Original Chief Starter flipping the switch on the Christmas Tree made the moment even more special.

Many thought how fitting it would be for  Garlits to make his first 4 second and 300mph pass against his biggest rival Shirley on that pass but it didn’t happen as Garlits would smoke the tires as Shirley would thunder down the track at a 4.67 at 320mph her fastest career speed at the time.

 

NUMBER 1 The Return Of Big Daddy Don Garlits

The biggest story heading into the 01 US Nationals was the return to competition for the first time since the 92 Southern Nationals was Big Daddy Don Garlits.

Garlits who teamed up with the previous years runner up at Indy Gary Clapshaw was aiming to do something that was missing from Garlits legendary resume a 4 second and 300 mph run. Prior to the 01 US Nationals Garlits best Et was a 5.07 and speed was 287 mph while driving Shirley Muldowney car during qualifying at the 89 Chief Auto Parts Nationals at the all concrete Texas Motorplex.

 During qualifying Garlits would accomplish during Sundays first qualifying session against another legend Chris the Greek Karamesines running a 4.72 at 303mph to a huge roar from the crowd. The run was good enough for the number 15 spot for Mondays event.
 
Garlits would go out in Round 1 to eventual Runner Up Mike Dunn but his comeback his first 300mph and 4 second pass along with qualifying for the event was truly the biggest highlight of the event.

As we pull the chutes on this look back at the 01 US Nationals and we can only wonder if the 26 US Nationals will make the list of Greatest National events in NHRA History.