Eight legendary drivers will be featured at the NHRA Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals, Aug. 29-Sept. 3 in Indianapolis. The historic race known to racing fans as The Big GoTM will feature meet-and-greets, autograph sessions and variety of activities including a Salute to First Responders, where military and first responders are entitled to 20% savings at the gate.
In 1955, the Labor Day race became the NHRA's first National Drag Race and has become a bucket list event for every hardcore drag racing fan. In addition to the thousand drivers competing in twelve divisions of the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, this year's U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway will honor several of the sanctioning body's best racers to ever strap on a helmet.
Lucas Oil Raceway Honors Eight Legends at U.S. Nationals
The eight dignitaries listed below will be honored at the Indianapolis event, providing fans with the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to revisit past moments of greatness with some of the most renowned names in the sport of drag racing.
- Don Garlits - Known to racing fans as "Big Daddy", Don Garlits was a pioneer in the sport of drag racing. He innovative designs not only led to advancement in speed but driver protection and safety. Garlits was the first drag racer to go over 200, 240, 250 and 270 miles per hour in the quarter mile.
- Tom Prock - The son of an Indy car "riding mechanic", Tom Prock's father was severely injured at a midget race prior to his son's birth. Tom turned to drag racing on his own as a driver, team partner and crew chief. He became famous for driving the "Utica Flash", a Dodge funny car that won over 60% of its races.
- Darrell Gwynn - In 1990, Darrell Gwynn was the driver to beat in Top Fuel after winning at the Gatornationals. But, Gainesville was his 18th and final Wally. After a life-threatening crash in England, Gwynn was left paralyzed and lost his left arm. Gwynn built successful teams as an owner and now devotes his time to the Darrell Gwynn Foundation.
- Terry Vance - An NHRA pioneer in Pro Stock motorcycle, Terry Vance claimed 24 national wins as a rider and formed a partnership with Byron Hines to create the legendary Vance & Hines Racing. The company has won races in almost every division of AMA including the Daytona 200. Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec will be competing for the team at The Big GoTM.
- Ed McCulloch - Known around the track as Ed "the Ace" McCulloch, the legendary driver has won in both Top Fuel dragster and Top Fuel Funny Car. Although McCulloch never won an NHRA world championship, he took home 22 Wallys, including six from the U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis.
- Al Segrini - Al Segrini was one of the sport's flashiest drivers and is best known as the driver of Black Magic a Vega-bodied funny car and a half dozen Faberge-sponsored Super Brut funny cars. Segrini was always in contention for a championship having won five NHRA Funny Car Nationals.
- Shirley Muldowney - The "First Lady of Drag Racing" was the first woman to ever receive a license to drive an NHRA Top Fuel dragster. "Cha Cha" Muldowney's life was featured in the movie Heart Like a Wheel, which chronicled her 18 NHRA national event wins and three Top Fuel Championships.
- Don Prudhomme - "The Snake" maybe the most highly regarded driver in NHRA history with four Funny Car world championships. During his 49 career victories, Prudhomme won three U.S. Nationals at Indy in Top Fuel and four times at The Big GoTM in Funny Car. He is one of sixteen drivers to have won in both classes.
The NHRA Legends Tour will also feature other drivers at each stop on the 2018 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. The tour finishes next year in Gainesville FL as the biggest stars in NHRA drag racing gather for a massive celebration of the 50th annual Gatornationals. The E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Series also returns to action August 29 through September 3 at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, IN.
