by Aaron Polburn

WHAT AN INCREDIBLE RIDE

I was watching the 60th Anniversary US Nationals and I couldn’t take my eyes off of it. The broadcast was long but it didn’t matter. Out of 60 years of drag racing I was a part of it for 50 of those years and the historical nature of the event brought back a flood of memories. How often does one get to live and experience almost all of the living history of anything? What an honor it was to be a part of the history of drag racing. Here in no special order are some of my favorite historical moments.

- Going to the US Nationals with my dad. Between seeing Willie Borsch for the first time and being a spectator to Big Daddy’s famous beard shaving, I didn’t think it could get any better.

- Seeing the birth of funny cars. I remember seeing a match race between Doug Thorley’s “Chevy Too Much” and Don Nicholson and the “Eliminator 1”. It was no contest. “Dyno” ran an unheard of 8.99 and Thorley was so over matched by this flip-top Mercury, he pulled huge wheelies just to appease the crowd.

- The rise and fall of the AA/GS cars. To this day they remain my favorite race cars. I remember a Thompson Dragway gathering of the best AA/GS cars in the country including Ohio George, Stone Woods and Cook, KS Pittman, Shores and Hess, Junior Thompson and the Cleveland-based Mickey Hart mob. What a sight and what an event.

- I will always pride myself on the fact that the current 10.90, 9.90, and 8:90 classes were born in Ohio and I was instrumental in launching the concept. What started as the Mid America Pro Gas Circuit eventually grew into a series of classes adopted by NHRA and IHRA that bolstered their back gates for decades.

- The age of rocket cars was incredible. Names like Terry Flickenger, Fred Goeske, and George Hedebeck went quicker and faster than any driver in drag racing history. They were easily the most violent-leaving cars ever. The dead quiet countdown to an ear deafening rocket roar made it a promoter’s dream.

- My favorite driver of all time -- Ronnie Sox.

- My favorite non-national events were the July 3rd Pro Stock race at Thompson and the Coca-Cola Funny Car Cavalcade of Stars.

- Maybe the most incredible part was realizing how far the sport has come. From single axle open trailers to pit set ups that resemble small cities. From a single segment on Wide World of Sports to hundreds of hours of TV programming. From performance barriers that experts said could never be broken to those same barriers smashed on a regular basis. From working out of a toolbox to working out of several computers. From getting your info from the weekly Drag News to instant live steaming. The incredible cost to race vs. making due with bologna on white bread and sleeping in your car to make ends meet.

I am the luckiest man on earth because I got to see it, live it and be a part of it. I am forever grateful.

SHOUT OUT

I was always taught that to be the best at the craft of motorsports promotion and production you had to be well rounded in all forms of motorsports. Now here is a little secret. My go-to source is Speed Sport Magazine. Ralph Sheheen and Joe Tripp have done a magnificent job in covering all sorts of motorsports related events and stories. The most recent issue had a great article on Steve Kinser’s final tour. If the name Kinser isn't familiar, shame on you. Steve Kinser is the Babe Ruth of sprint car drivers.

There was another gem on Doug Herbert and Ray Evernham teaming up on an attempt to break the piston-powered land speed record of 462 mph.

For the more serious reader, how about a well done article on drug testing?

I have no stake in Speed Sport Magazine. All I know is when I get it in the mail I get excited. It’s that good. Do yourself a favor and subscribe.