Famous Firsts Highlight Rich History at Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals

GAINESVILLE, FL – February 17, 2024 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Known for its remarkable history, Gainesville Raceway has been home to several historic firsts over the past five-plus decades at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.

From first career wins to milestones reached for the first time, magical moments have always been a part of Gainesville Raceway’s illustrious history. So, what comes next in 2024?

Odds are, something incredible will happen on March 7-10 during the 55th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals to add to the amazing accomplishments that have taken place at the legendary facility.

To help prepare for the start of the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, let’s look at some of the historic happenings that have made Gainesville so special for so many years:

FIRST PROFESSIONAL WINS COMING AT THE GATORS: It’s happened the last three years, in fact, with a standout racer picking up their first NHRA professional win at Gatornationals. Eventual world champ Gaige Herrera did it last year en route to his record-breaking year, Tripp Tatum picked up his first Top Fuel win in 2022 and, in 2021, Josh Hart rolled to the Top Fuel win in his first career start (one of only eight drivers to do that in NHRA history).

It stretches back in history, too. Two-time world champ Brittany Force earned her first Top Fuel win in 2016 in Gainesville (as part of the first-ever John Force Racing double-up as well when Robert Hight won in Funny Car), while Bob Tasca III’s first Funny Car win took place in 2009. Plus, the likes of Andrew Hines (2004), Kenny Delco (1990) and Frank Hawley (1982) all picked up their first professional wins in Gainesville, and Eddie Hill’s first NHRA win came in 1988 at the renowned race.

MAJOR MILESTONES: Gainesville Raceway has been a proving ground for history-makers and record-breakers. The first 260-mph run in both Top Fuel (Joe Amato) and Funny Car (Kenny Bernstein) in NHRA history came in 1984, while Don Garlits became the first to 270 in Top Fuel just two years later.

Of course, the run heard around the world took place in 1992 when Kenny Bernstein became Mr. 300 with his historic 301.70-mph run, becoming the first driver in NHRA history to reach the 300-mph mark.

Hines made the first 6-second pass in Pro Stock Motorcycle history in 2005, while Hector Arana Jr. became the first rider to go 200 mph with his run of 200.23 in 2018.

REMARKABLE FIRSTS: Something unique also seems to happen in…