Indy is truly an event you must experience at least once in your life. 

My colleague at Competitionplus.com Jon Asher said it best, “If you come to one U.S. Nationals, you’ll be coming back year after year.”  And, after attending my first ‘Big Go’, this novice writer now realizes why thousands of die hard drag racing fans religiously make the annual Labor Day pilgrimage to Clermont, Ind.

As fellow Competitionplus.com reporter Tracy Renck and I arrived at the Indianapolis airport, we were greeted by Mitch Johnson, Tampa Bay, Fla., who was attending his 42nd ‘Big Go’. Johnson has experienced a mired of emotions during his tenure as an Indy fan. He laughed as Don Garlits shaved his beard in 1967 and shed a tear when Blaine Johnson and Elmer Trett lost their lives during the 1996 event.

The First Indy Is Always The Most Memorable …

Indy is truly an event you must experience at least once in your life. 

My colleague at Competitionplus.com Jon Asher said it best, “If you come to one U.S. Nationals, you’ll be coming back year after year.”  And, after attending my first ‘Big Go’, this novice writer now realizes why thousands of die hard drag racing fans religiously make the annual Labor Day pilgrimage to Clermont, Ind.

As fellow Competitionplus.com reporter Tracy Renck and I arrived at the Indianapolis airport, we were greeted by Mitch Johnson, Tampa Bay, Fla., who was attending his 42nd ‘Big Go’. Johnson has experienced a myriad of emotions during his tenure as an Indy fan. He laughed as Don Garlits shaved his beard in 1967 and shed a tear when Blaine Johnson and Elmer Trett lost their lives during the 1996 event.

“This place is my Mecca,” stated Johnson prior to the event. “Through all the changes we’ve seen in our sport, one race still remains spectacular, the ‘Big Go’.”

Unfortunately Johnson could not be there on Monday to provide his wealth of knowledge for this column. A family emergency arose and he had to leave the hallowed grounds of ORP. However, he left me with some great advice.

“I know you have a lot to accomplish this weekend but don't forget to soak it all in Tim.”

With my resident Indy expert gone, another group of amazing fans appeared.

 

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They are known as the Top Fool Alcohol Crew, a large gathering of hardcore drag racing fans who build a parade float each year for the marathon drag race. In years past, likeable racers like Fuzzy Carter and Eric Medlen have been targets of their affection. This year’s float paid homage to Bob Hesser, a very personable NHRA Division 3 photographer who passed away earlier this year.

“Bob was a part of the Indy experience for us,” noted Mark, a member of the fanatical crew. “His smile was always present and he was one of the great people who made this event so special.”

Also attending this year’s ‘Big Go’ were two passionate California-based drivers in their 20’s, searching for sponsors and cars to drive next year.  Kenny Buzdas and James Day traveled over 2,000 miles to attend ‘The Nationals’. Buzdas raised funds from local businesses, in his home town, to attend his first Indy. Day was experiencing his 15th.

“If there is one place to make contacts for the future, it is INDY,” said Buzdas. “Once I walked onto that track, met the fans in the stands and ate a corn dog, I was hooked. I can’t wait to race here next year.”

Buzdas secured a potent Top Alcohol Funny car ride for next season.

Ron August Jr. made his professional debut in Mitch King’s Top Fuel Dragster. “I figured if I was going to debut some place, it might as well be Indy,” he said with a smile. 

In contrast, two legends of drag racing announced their teams were headed in different directions. Kenny Bernstein signed a sponsorship contract with Copart.com on live TV. Don “The Snake” Prudhomme stated his team was folding up the tents if funding could not be secured before seasons end. 

How about Big Daddy’s 2009 Indy? He returned to ORP after a six-year hiatus to race a Dodge Challenger Drag Pac in A/Stock Automatic. He also had the opportunity to warm up the Matco Tool’s Top Fuel Dragster on Sunday morning. This writer was the first to ask “Big” about his experience as he climbed out of Antron’s fueler. With tears in his eyes, the large father of drag racing looked directly into my eyes and stated in that Florida twang’ “it was awesome son”.

Watching the sun set over an Indiana soy field from the starting line at ORP Monday evening provided the spark for this column. Saying hello to the likeness of my old friend, Eric Medlen at John Force Racing’s Brownsburg, Ind. shop later that night capped off my Indy.

Johnson asked me to soak it in. Mission accomplished sir. 

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