My first top fuel experience was in 2007 at the Summernationals in Englishtown, NJ. We were sitting at about 1,000 ft in the upper row of the grandstand. *** This was a year before Scott Kalitta was killed and they were still running the full 1/4 mile. I was there in '08 when Kalitta's car grenaded (right in front of us) which forced the change to 1000'. ***
The 1st pair staged and my buddy (a lifelong drag racer) told me to get ready. They were down the track to where we were BEFORE I even heard them launch. The percussion when they went by literally threw me back against the fence behind us and I dropped my brand new camcorder.
I have never felt or heard anything like a top fueler... you need to experience it in person to appreciate it... TV does it no justice.
And, yes... I have cried nitro tears. Stood right at the rope for the entire time a funny car was being run in the garage area. Tears like Niagara Falls, lungs burning... ahh... it was great.
What I want to know is what was the discussion like when the thought of running nitro was discussed? Most certainly a "hold my beer and watch this" kinda moment I'm sure...
