Mike Dunn is one of the best natural drivers to ever step behind the wheel of a nitro car. From capturing a U.S. Nationals title in 1986 and becoming the first Funny Car driver to run over 280 miles per hour in Dallas in 1987 while driving for Joe Pisano, Dunn had accomplished more than any driver could imagine. But one thing that eluded him well into his career was a championship.

In 1999, in his seventh season driving for the legend Darrell Gwynn, Dunn would put together one of his best seasons yet and led the Top Fuel points standings for much of the year.

However, a devastating summer slump and failing to qualify late in the season in Memphis would put a damper on Dunn’s title hopes, as Dunn would lose the points lead at the U.S. Nationals and never recover, ultimately making 1999 the potential championship season that got away.

The year was 1988, and NHRA was engaged in a full-scale war, the likes of which hadn't been seen since the IHRA became a formidable force in drag racing. Texas Motorplex owner Billy Meyer had just purchased the series from Larry Carrier and moved it to Waco, Texas, and likewise pulled his crown jewel of a race track out of the NHRA and put it in IHRA.

One of the staples of the IHRA schedule was rain, and so much so the IHRA actually was recognized as "it has rained again." The IHRA Winter Nationals had traditionally been the series launch event, but with new ownership the opening was moved to Bradenton, Fla, for hopefully better weather. However, Mother Nature returned things to the original plan and Darlington was actually the launch point, even though it, too, was hit with rain.

Some pretty interesting scenarios in this record-setting event including a controversial Funny Car final with a familiar face in the middle of it all.

Popular Funny Car driver Jim Epler was on top of the world following the 1993 NHRA Drag Racing season, becoming the first Nitro Funny Car driver to run over 300 miles per hour at the third to last race of the season in Topeka and closing out the year with a big-time win at the season-finale in Pomona.

Unfortunately, Epler's win at Pomona at the end of 1993 would be his last for quite a while, as he would go winless over the next seven seasons.

However, Epler changed the course of his career, teaming up with Jerry Toliver to form a powerful Funny Car duo backed by the WWF in 1999. With the brains of John Stewart calling the shots on his Kane-sponsored Nitro Funny Car at NHRA's debut at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the Spring of 2000, Epler would find his way back to the winner circle, laying the smackdown of the rest of the Funny Car class to score his first win in seven years.

The year was 1988, and NHRA was engaged in a full-scale war, the likes of which hadn't been seen since the IHRA became a formidable force in drag racing. Texas Motorplex owner Billy Meyer had just purchased the series from Larry Carrier and moved it to Waco, Texas, and likewise pulled his crown jewel of a race track out of the NHRA and put it in IHRA.

One of the staples of the IHRA schedule was rain, and so much so the IHRA actually was recognized as "it has rained again." The Super Nationals in Bradenton, Fla., was originally supposed to be the season-opener but because of rain, it fell in line behind Darlington, which had traditionally been the season opener.

The penultimate race in what has been an exciting 1987 IHRA season brings the tour to Rockingham, NC, where titles are on the line for the Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Alcohol Funny Car divisions.

Mark Oswald and Gene Snow exert their dominance in the fuel categories but it is the Pro Stock division to watch. Pro Stock rookie Doug Kirk makes his debut in Pro Stock driving for Roy Hill, who has stepped aside from the cockpit. See how he fares against the seasoned veterans.

You'll see a feature on the exciting Top Sportsman division with cameos by Charles Carpenter and Scotty Cannon.

If there was ever a season that defined a drag racer, for Eddie Hill, it was 1988.

Hill, who left drag racing on asphalt to race boats, returned in 1985 after a 20-year absence. Taking the engine from the boat, which nearly killed him in 1984, Hill put it in a dragster purchased from ex-NFL quarterback Dan Pastorini.

Using footage from Dean Pappadeas’ incredible Thrill! The Eddie Hill Story,” and Master’s Entertainment presentation of IHRA drag racing, as well as NHRA’s Diamond P race coverage, Darin Williams Jr. presents one of the greatest stories in drag racing history in his debut of American Hot Rod Entertainment at CompetitionPlusTV.

The 1988 season’s triumph and heartbreak epitomize the spirit of a drag racer who gave up everything for the thrill, inspiring the spirit of drag racers worldwide.

If you love classic drag racing, then you are going to love this presentation of divisional racing from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. You'll see everything from gear-jamming class racing to nitro competition. If you listen very closely, the host sounds a lot like NHRA VP of Operations Graham Light, who used to run the track.