Gatornationals Explained

Race Title:Gatornationals
Series Long:National Hot Rod Association
Series Short:NHRA
Venue:Gainesville Raceway
Location:Gainesville, Florida, U.S.
Coordinates:29.7581°N -82.2747°W
Sponsor:Amalie Oil Company
First Race:1970
Length Mi:1/4

The Gatornationals is an annual National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) national drag racing event held each March at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Florida. The event was held for the first time in 1970.[1]

The event is one of the sport's most revered with a rich tradition of history-making performances. The Gatornationals have the title of being the drag race to see the first 260-mph Top Fuel and Funny Car runs in 1984 by Joe Amato and Kenny Bernstein respectively, and the first 270-mph and 300-mph Top Fuel passes by Don Garlits and Kenny Bernstein in 1986 and 1992, respectively. Its 675-foot concrete launchpad is one of the longest on the tour.

In 2014 the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals entered its 45th annual national event which makes it the fourth oldest active event on the NHRA Professional tour, behind the Winternationals, U.S. Nationals, and the NHRA Finals. The event was sponsored by Amalie Oil Company, the current sponsor of the race. Previous sponsors of this event include MAC tools.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused some sportsman races to be held behind closed doors. However, the national event and top sportsman classes were postponed to September with spectators. In 2021 the race was moved to the season opener for all classes, also due to the pandemic. The Gatornationals has remained as the season opening race since this change.

Winners

YearTop FuelFunny CarPro StockPro Stock Motorcycle
2024Shawn LangdonJ.R. ToddErica EndersGaige Herrera
2023Mike SalinasMatt HaganTroy Coughlin Jr.Gaige Herrera
2022Tripp TatumMatt HaganDallas GlennKaren Stoffer
2021Josh HartJ.R. ToddGreg AndersonMatt Smith
2020Steve TorrenceRon CappsAlex LaughlinMatt Smith
2019Richie CramptonRobert HightBo ButnerAndrew Hines
2018Richie CramptonJack BeckmanTanner GrayEddie Krawiec
2017Tony SchumacherJohn ForceShane GrayEddie Krawiec
2016Brittany Force Tim WilkersonJason LineEddie Krawiec
2015Spencer MasseyRon CappsGreg AndersonKaren Stoffner
2014Doug KalittaRobert HightAllen JohnsonSteve Johnson
2013Antron BrownJohnny GrayAllen JohnsonHector Arana Jr
2012Morgan LucasMike EdwardsEddie Krawiec
2011Del WorshamMike NeffJason LineEddie Krawiec
2010Tony SchumacherTim WilkersonJason LineEddie Krawiec
2009Larry DixonBob Tasca IIIJason LineHector Arana Sr
2008Tony Schumacher[2] Tony PedregonJeg CoughlinMatt Guidera
2007Tony Schumacher[3] Ron CappsGreg AndersonKaren Stoffer
2006David GrubnicRon CappsTom MartinoAngelle Sampey
2005Doug KalittaWhit BazemoreJason LineSteve Johnson
2004Tony SchumacherDel WorshamGreg Anderson
2003Brandon BernsteinGary DenshamKurt JohnsonAngelle Sampey
2002Larry DixonTony PedregonDarrell Alderman Craig Treble
2001Larry DixonJohn ForceJeg CoughlinMatt Hines
2000Doug KalittaJerry ToliverWarren JohnsonDave Schultz
1999Mike DunnJohn ForceWarren JohnsonAngelle Sampey
1998Kenny BernsteinCruz PedregonWarren JohnsonMatt Hines
1997Joe AmatoAl HoffmanJim YatesDave Schultz
1996Blaine JohnsonJohn ForceJim YatesDave Schultz
1995Larry DixonJohn ForceDarrell AldermanJohn Myers
1994Connie KalittaJohn ForceWarren JohnsonJohn Myers
1993Eddie HillJohn ForceWarren JohnsonJohn Smith
1992Eddie HillJohn ForceWarren JohnsonJim Bernard
1991Joe AmatoMark OswaldWarren JohnsonDave Schultz
1990Darrell GwynnEd McCullochKenny DelcoJohn Myers
1989Darrell GwynnEd McCullochDarrell Alderman
1988Eddie HillKenny BernsteinBruce Allen
1987Joe AmatoDon PrudhommeButch Leal
1986Don GarlitsEd McCullochDon Campanello
1985Dick LahaieKenny BernsteinWarren Johnson
1984Joe AmatoKenny BernsteinWarren Johnson
1983Gary BeckFrank HawleyLee Shepherd
1982Shirley MuldowneyFrank HawleyLee Shepherd
1981Shirley MuldowneyGordie BoninFrank Iaconio
1980Gary BeckDon PrudhommeLee Shepherd
1979Kelly BrownGordie BoninBob Glidden
1978Don GarlitsDale PuldeFrank Iaconio
1977Don GarlitsGordie BoninDon Nicholson
1976James WarrenDon PrudhommeLarry Lombardo
1975Dale FunkDon PrudhommeBob Glidden
1974Dave SettlesDon PrudhommeWally Booth
1973Herm PetersenPat FosterDon Nicholson
1972Don GarlitsEd McCullochDon Carlton
1971Jimmy KingLeroy GoldsteinRonnie Sox
1970Dave ChenevertLeonard HughesBill Jenkins

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: History. Gainesville Raceway. 20 March 2017.
  2. https://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nhra/2008-03-16-gainesville-results_N.htm NHRA ACDelco Gatornationals results
  3. https://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nhra/2007-03-18-gainesville_N.htm Schumacher, Capps team up for Gatornationals win