NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

In the history of NHRA, only 15 drivers have advanced to 100 or more final rounds. Which of those have made the most of their opportunities in the money round? In this week’s Fast Five, we look at the five drivers on the 100 final-rounds list with the highest winning percentages.

No. 1: Frank Manzo, 80.77 percent

Manzo consistently ranks near the top of lists that tabulate success in NHRA Drag Racing, and in this instance, Manzo is king. During his illustrious career, Manzo advanced to 130 national event final rounds, and he walked away with the trophy at 105 of those. That gives Manzo an incredible winning percentage of just more than 80 percent, which is higher than any other competitor by more than 10 percent.

No. 2: Bob Glidden, 69.67 percent

Pro Stock legend Glidden may not have had as many opportunities to make a final and/or win as the drivers of today, but he certainly made the most of every chance he got. Glidden appeared in 122 final rounds in two-plus decades of competition, and he won 85 of those matches, putting him at a win rate of just less than 70 percent.

No. 3: Dan Fletcher, 66.89 percent

Fletcher is still going strong in competition, tallying win No. 99 at the Auto Club NHRA Finals last weekend. That win came in Fletcher’s 148th final round and kept him steadily in the top three for win percentages at nearly 67 percent.

No. 4: Warren Johnson, 64.24 percent

“The Professor of Pro Stock” had plenty of opportunities to school his competition, and he did so quite effectively, advancing to 151 final rounds, the second-most in NHRA history behind John Force’s 247, and winning 97 times. That gives Johnson a win rate of just more than 64 percent.

No. 5: Pat Austin, 63.56 percent

The first driver to double in NHRA history rounds out the top five in win percentages with a total of just more than 63.5 percent. Austin won 75 of his 118 final-round appearances, giving him a solid overall rate of success that ranks him among the top five on this list.