Nitro Funnies and Autographs
During a Rain Delay

By Don McClanahan

I really love the nitro funny cars. The crackling sound (like live power lines and transformers exploding), the flames, and the ground shaking awesome power really excite me. You have to have a deep respect for machinery and driver. 

At one race I attended, there was about a three-hour rain delay, so I walked through the pits asking for autographs. I got a lot of autographs and most all the drivers seemed almost honored to sign their name. Three drivers that were exceptionally nice and talkative were Chuck Etchells, Shelly Anderson, and Gary Scelzi. 

I live in North Carolina and the two closest tracks, Rockingham, N.C., and Dinwiddie, Va., have gone IHRA on me. I much prefer NHRA. Thanks for the opportunity to join in.

Don McClanahan
don_mcclanahan@hotmail.com