A strong list of talent in a demented world. I’m not going to conduct a civics lesson, but compared to other auto racing disciplines, drag racing stands out better than the rest and that’s not to imply that the other organizations are run by Grand Wizards. Because of the economic nature of the world, it’s a helluva an accomplishment to break through as the above black drivers and owners have done. The roundy-round guys have produced Wendell Scott and Willy T. Ribbs, but overall not as many genuinely entertaining black racers as the straightliners.

Not only have black racers made inroads in pro racing, but thanks to economics, they have made very large steps in the leveler playing field of Sportsman racing. Tabler’s Indy heroics have since been followed by wins like Melvin LeForbes’ 1986 Chief Nationals Super Gas win and Paul Pittman’s 1991 NHRA Champion Auto Stores Super Gas crown.

In a sport perceived by some as populated by beer-guzzling rednecks, drag racing currently plays the lead role in dispelling that ugly image.

UBDRA's Black Sunday Coverage — 12/7/04 Results and Photos from the 2nd Annual ORCSA World Drag Challenge — 11/8/04 On Tour: Midwestern Outlaw Track — 10/8/04