Wagons in vintage Street scenes

Registration and tech inspection for the 1956 Nationals wasn’t held at the track, but rather on a city street, two miles from the strip. Three hundred fifty-two entrants, representing most of the country’s 48 states as well as Hawaii and British Columbia, took part in the event, gunning for honors in one of NHRA’s 29 classes.

 

The seventh annual Nationals moved in 1961 to its permanent home at brand-new Indianapolis Raceway Park, which featured 3,700 feet of beautiful black asphalt with ample runoff room and wide shoulders along each side, tremendous spectator and parking areas, and seating facilities that surpassed those of all past Nationals sites. Pits, staging, and inspection areas were designed specifically to meet the demanding requirements of the Nationals.

 

Sneaky Pete Robinson’s lightweight (1,250 pounds), blown Chevy-powered Pete’s Engineering AA/Dragster captured the coveted Mr. Eliminator title with an 8.92 victory over Dode Martin’s Mooneyes A/Dragster. Robinson’s victim in the AA/D runoff was legend Tom McEwen.

 

Tony Nancy advanced to the AA/Dragster semifinals before bowing out to eventual class winner Don Garlits, then lost in round one of Top Eliminator to eventual Nationals champ Bobby Vodnik.

ps nice Chrysler push start wagon...

 

Indy in the 1960s was Top Fuel paradise. In 1968, 80 teams from 20 states attempted to make the 32-car field, which ranged from low qualifier Tom McEwen’s 6.67 to bubble sitter Pete Robinson’s 7.04.

 

Still-active Stock racer Al Corda put his name on the map for good with his Stock win in 1971. Corda was runner-up for the 1971 Stock championship and won the national title 1986.

A 64 Plymouth!

 

Oklahoma City television repairman Marvin Graham earned one of drag racing’s great nicknames - Who? - with his completely unexpected Top Fuel win at the rain-delayed 1974 event. Graham got around Gaines Markley in the Tuesday morning final.

 

I think a little part of me died when I saw this...