Darrell Gwynn’s Last, Best Gatornationals

Words and photos by Steve Gruenwald

After setting the national record at 4.909 at Houston just weeks prior to the 1990 running of the Gatornationals, Darrell Gwynn was at the top of his game.

Darrell, his father Jerry, and their crew led by Ken Veney rolled into Gainesville Raceway to defend their 1989 Gatornationals win. With the Gainesville, Florida, track being the closest to his home of Miami, many of his fans and friends would be in the stands to witness their home state hero win what would be his last NHRA race. 

He really gave the highly partisan crowd something to cheer for after he ripped off the first four-second pass in Gatornationals history and put himself number one with a 4.985 at 281.95 mph.