Sights & Sounds at the GatorNational Drags

It’s not hard to find Gainesville Raceway and the Gatornationals drag races; just follow pretty County Road 225 past the University of Florida “Beef Research Unit,” turn right into the parking area full of cars and trucks from as far away as Ontario, and sniff the smoke and fumes from hundreds of spinning tires. You’ll hear the roar and feel the engine vibrations even during a visit to the PortaJohns. I quickly learned to put in earplugs after I jumped about three feet straight up when one of the cars did a quick engine rev right next to me.

Crowds are pretty light on the first day but that’s fine by me, since it means I can get closer to the action without being elbowed. It’ll be packed this weekend with people watching the pros and the finals, but early in the race schedule is the time to see regular guys and gals who come here from all over North America to try their hand at racing.

Over here, give some love to the Detroit-based dragster and crew of the “Motown Missile.” Over there, check out the woman from Pennsylvania in her souped-up 1969 Camaro. And wow, is that lady from Minnesota really driving a 1968 Chevelle?

It’s an amazing variety of automotive muscle.

You shopping enthusiasts (yep, that includes me) can find lots of great merchandise at the Nitro Malls and team trailers that are set up here at the track.  How about an auto racing bar stool decorated with colorful photos and race-related designs?  A little over $200 gets you one that’s driver-autographed (but then you wouldn’t want to put your butt on it, would you?) 

Great race advertising logos are everywhere:  “Yeah, It’s Got a Full Blown Hemi!” , “Got Nitro?”  But my fave of the day has to be from Mr. Moto’s car cleaning products  whose logo is “Keep Your Toys Totally Cherry.”

Here’s a sight to marvel: a giant shiny black 18-wheeler owned by Terminator Motorsports of Charlotte, North Carolina, and it has… the most massive chrome spinners that I’ve ever seen.  Spinners on an 18-wheeler; where do they get that kind of stuff?

That’s it for right now, but coming up next are my impressions from today’s Sportsman qualifiers.  Don’t know your Super Stock from your Super Comp?  Not to worry, I will reveal all.

You can also look forward to a behind-the-scenes look at Pro Stock from the woman who knows all about six-time world champ Warren Johnson’s  team, plus an interview with the Top Fuel points leader, driver Melanie Troxel.

See you at the drags!

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March 17, 2006, 2:04 PM

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