? about NHRA NAT event

I'm taking my brother and nephew to the Fall Nationals in Texas this October. Neither has been to a National event. And it's been at least 10 years for me. The main thing I want them to see are the Nitro cars. Do any Nitro teams still do the throttle wack during warm up? To me that is one of the best parts of the Nitro experience. You really get a sense of the power. Thanks Mike.

While all the teams do warm ups not many do the "throttle whacks" anymore. I like them too, cool to see a crowd jump in unison. However just the warmups can give you a eye and nose full of Nitro. Reminds me of the tear gas chambers in Army boot camp.

I am pretty sure Scott Palmer does but he does not make all the races.

Hopefully others will chime in.

I took my brother when he was 16 to Union Grove when they used to have Fuel Alters and Nitro FEDs. That first time they fired up we were standing right by the zoomies. When they wacked it he jumped a foot straight up and he had the biggest smile on his face. Didn't stop talking about it for a week. Now he wants is son to experience that

Ohhh man they did a segment on this about one of the teams that still do and I can’t remember which team it was and I deleted my dvr coverage

I know a few years back they made a big deal about Scott Palmer doing it.

Speaking of whacking the throttle on a top fueler I saw a women pass out at the old Mickey Thompson Drag City in Fontana after a top fueler driver whack his throttle when he was driving it down the push down road and she as standing by the fence where he whack it about 8 ft away from her face
She was probably in here mid 20s and woke up in a few minutes, I'm pretty sure she didn't stand that close to the fence after that. This was when they had to drive by her to get onto the track to stage
That was back in 1965, I think, long before starters where use to start the motors, they would push start all of them back then.

Alexis Dejoria is highest likelihood based on my recent trips...... Hoping for one for this weekend at the Grove, leaving tomorrow evening....

Make sure you get them close enough to get a face full of nitro. I do that to everyone who's never experienced Top Fuel. The first time I took my best girl I handed her ear plugs she said what are these for. After they made a full she pass all she said was OMG they even shake the ground.

I think it was Del Worsham talking about that recently.

I’m not sure but they went on to say they checked clutch wear and it was a non factor.

Thanks I will make sure we hang out near her pit. I plan on getting them as close as possible. Nothing beats a face full of Nitro

If you’re considering going “all in” you might see if Mike Salinas is offering “hospitality” tickets…. I’m considering that for the Vegas race as my “brew cheif” of 20+ years has never been to a national event. It’s been a long time since I’ve attended one.

Cost drove me away. I could afford to get in but the cost of food and water for my family drove me to the poor house.

The only track I have ever been to for a national event was Joliet. And there they have some bleachers down by finish line. Would like to get near finish line for 1 qualifying session to show them the speed and how you can see cars move before you hear them to me that was always cool. I took my nephew for a ride in my 64 ( high 10sec car) when he was 12 open headers and all. He thought that was wild wait till he see's the pros.

You will see more cars run on Saturday then Friday or Sunday, plus you see last ditch attempt to qualify, a few are starting to do it, dejoria did do it, dont expect any on Sunday, if any of bobby lagunas cars are there they will do it

If you have the time you could enjoy 2 weekends of nitro there. The Funny car Chaos runs the weekend before. Check out texasmotorplex.com. Looks like a lot of fun.

They've cut back to one qualifier on Friday. But when I went to spectate and hangout, rather than taking care of business, Hardcore Thursday and Fridays with the Friday night session were the days I went. Sportsman qualifying Thursday. First and second round for them early Friday. Two pro sessions with everyone going for it Friday night.

Tickets were cheaper, especially if I bunked with someone Thursday night, and the crowds were thinner.

Many years ago at Englishtown, they had rain or something to delay the Friday night session. Got started late and were up against a curfew. They would fire the next pair as the ones who were running would be rolling up to stage. When they crossed the stripe, the next pair would be rolling through the water to do their burnouts.

Place was packed. No oil downs or screwing around, they ran through both classes like that, and got it done with 2 minutes to spare. Best fuel session I've ever seen. I hate Jersey, but miss Etown.

Years ago, a number of tracks down South, Norwalk, MIR and some others, had the spectator fences really close to the track. Standing on the fence about 60' out when 2 fuel cars go by 30' away and WFO is cool when the shock wave hits you. They don't allow that anymore and I wouldn't recommend it. Tinnitus sucks.

YEP years ago e-town (summer nats)was something, "brothers in stands doing $1000 bets on who won (time trails), people partying getting drunk, tipping over motorhomes ETC.

ill be going the nationals in a few weeks at gateway.always bring my gas mask

Stand on the fence at the finishline, up on the hill, at Maple Grove.

We are going to Fall Nationals in Texas Friday Oct 14 only going on Friday have to drive back to Wisconsin for work 2am Monday. That sucks they only run 1 qualifier on Friday. Does anyone know if they run pro Camaro there?