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1 SEP 2004 UTC-0500

U.S. Nationals Through
the Lens of Tom Schiltz — 6/7/04

his year marks the 50th annual NHRA U.S. Nationals. To help celebrate this milestone, we have asked several photographers to share their favorite photos from this event. As we count down to this year's event, Drag Racing Online will share old photos from Jere Alhadeff, Jeff Burk, Ron Lewis, Bob McClurg, Tom Schiltz, and Dave Wallace. The photos are in no particular order and the photographers are in no particular order.

We begin with the photographs and comments of Tom Schiltz.

I like these photos 'cause they show the dramatic contrast between then and now. Open trailers and ramp trucks. Ed Pink swapping motors in the pits with Schumacher. Two top fuelers in the grass pit area.

Here's one of my all-time favorite Funny Cars. Schumacher's Buttera Vega. I like the front shot because it shows the light shining through the slots in the hood.

Remember when the Nationals was on the ABC "Wide World of Sports" and we'd wait several months to watch it and they'd sandwich it with the wrist wrestling or curling championships? Compared to that, today's coverage isn't all that bad.

Jeff Burk printed this one in Super Stock in October 1989, but it is one of my all-time favorites. The age of the Dinosaurs. Two cars, four nitro motors.

I don't know who this is, but I love the wing. (The first person to I.D. this car gets a free
1-year DRO subscription.