I'm still looking back on last year, while waiting for racing to get going in my part of the world.
ADRL's [American Drag Racing League] Pro Mod drag racing schedule opens this weekend, many hundreds of miles away in Houston, Texas. I thought I'd honor that event by showing a little bit of what is, without a doubt, my favorite photo story of 2009: The ADRL's Dragstock VI, a Day (or Two) at the Races.
A fan at the ADRL's Dragstock VI, September 2009. (Copyright 2009, John Edwin Mason. You can click directly on any of these photos to see larger versions.)
Dragstock is just what it sounds like -- Woodstock for drag racing fans. It's an annual event at Rockingham Dragway, in North Carolina. Each year, hundreds of racers show up from all over the country, and tens of thousands of fans pack the grandstands, the concession areas, and even the pits. For the fans, it's a party. Even for the racers, it's a real hoot.
That's motorcycle racer Pumpatina Gilbert under a wild helmet.
It's also a real race. The ADRL is super competitive. Just qualifying for the race is a chore. Only the best 16 cars or bikes make it into the racing field.
Once the racing begins, there are no guarantees, not even for the top qualifiers. Taming these absurdly overpowered cars and bikes isn't easy.
Doug Winters performs a burnout during qualifying. Despite a stout run, he didn't make it into the field.
You can see many more photos from Dragstock VI -- cars, bikes, fans (including a pretty young woman or two) -- by clicking on this link to my original report from the race.
Comments