NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Fans who attend the upcoming Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals will get a look into drag racing’s past thanks to the Southeast Nostalgia Pro Stock Association. The North Carolina-based association will have a strong presence at Gainesville Raceway both on and off the track as part of NHRA’s ongoing 70th-anniversary celebration.

Making exhibition runs during the event will be Jeff Rudisill in the Orndorff and Eckman '86 Camaro, Mark Johnson behind the wheel of an original Bob Glidden '88 Thunderbird, Gary Varney, owner of Glidden's 1986 model Thunderbird, and Ed Eichelberger, who drives the iconic “Grumpy's Toy” '68 Camaro made famous by Pro Stock pioneer Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins. All four racers are scheduled to make one run each on Friday and Saturday during the Gainesville event, which first appeared on the NHRA schedule in 1970, the same year that Pro Stock made its debut as an NHRA professional eliminator.

In addition to the on-track action, there will also be a display in the pit area featuring other vintage Pro Stock entries including Hubert Platt’s Georgia Shaker ’70 Maverick, now owned by Elliot Sande, and the Don Carlton ’73 Motown Missile Duster and Reid Whisnant’s ’72 Plymouth Duster, both of which are now owned by McGrath Keen.

Click here to purchase reserved seats or general-admission tickets to the exciting 2021 season opener! Kids 12 and under are free in general-admission areas with a paid adult at the event. Military and First Responders save 20% online through GovX.