The 1961 NHRA Spring Nationals
This was the second and final time the event was held at Detroit Dragway in Brownstown Township, Michigan. This race was part of the NHRA’s expanding national event schedule and served as a major competition for racers across the country.
Key Highlights of the 1961 NHRA Spring Nationals:
- Date & Location: Held at Detroit Dragway, a popular Midwest drag racing venue known for its competitive atmosphere and passionate fans.
- Competition Categories: The event featured Top Eliminator (Top Fuel), Stock, Super Stock, Modified, and Gas classes, among others.
- Notable Winners:
- Top Eliminator (Top Fuel): “Ohio George” Montgomery won the event with his famous supercharged AA/Gas Willys coupe, defeating tough competition and solidifying his reputation as one of drag racing’s pioneers.
- Other class winners included rising stars and well-known racers of the era.
Significance of the 1961 NHRA Spring Nationals:
- This was the last time the NHRA Spring Nationals were held at Detroit Dragway. The NHRA discontinued the event for a few years before bringing it back in 1965 at Bristol Dragway in Tennessee.
- Detroit Dragway remained a major NHRA-sanctioned track for divisional and regional races but no longer hosted NHRA national events after the early 1970s.
The 1961 NHRA Spring Nationals at Detroit Dragway drew a large and enthusiastic crowd, estimated at over 20,000 spectators. As one of the NHRA’s major national events at the time, it attracted fans from across the Midwest, eager to witness some of the top drag racers of the era in action.
Crowd and Atmosphere:
- Packed Grandstands: The grandstands were filled early in the day, with many spectators standing along the fences to get a better view of the action.
- High Energy: Fans were loud and engaged, cheering on their favorite racers and reacting excitedly to record-breaking runs.
- Pit Access: Unlike modern-day events with restricted access, fans in 1961 could walk through the pit area, getting up close to legendary cars and drivers like “Ohio George” Montgomery and K.S. Pittman.
- Media Coverage: The event was widely covered by drag racing publications such as Hot Rod Magazine and Drag News, helping to further elevate NHRA’s growing popularity.
- Challenges with Traffic: With such a massive turnout, traffic congestion around Detroit Dragway was a notable issue. Many fans arrived early to secure good viewing spots.
Racing Conditions:
- Weather: The race weekend featured warm and dry conditions, ideal for setting fast times.
- Track Surface: Detroit Dragway was known for its rough track surface, which created traction challenges for racers, especially in the faster classes like Top Fuel and Gas Supercharged.
Despite the success of the event, 1961 was the last time the NHRA Spring Nationals were held at Detroit Dragway. The NHRA eventually decided to relocate the race, with the next official Spring Nationals happening in 1965 at Bristol Dragway in Tennessee.
The 1961 NHRA Spring Nationals at Detroit Dragway featured intense competition across various classes. Here are the notable winners and their performances:
Top Eliminator (Top Fuel):
- Winner: “Ohio George” Montgomery
- Vehicle: 1933 Willys with a Cadillac engine
- Performance: 10.91 seconds at 130.63 mph
A/Gas Supercharged (A/GS):
- Winner: “Ohio George” Montgomery
- Vehicle: 1933 Willys with a Cadillac engine
- Performance: 10.91 seconds at 130.63 mph
B/Gas Supercharged (B/GS):
- Winner: Ray Moore
- Vehicle: 1940 Willys “Chicken Coupe” with a Chevrolet engine
- Performance: 11.76 seconds at 120.32 mph
C/Gas Supercharged (C/GS):
- Winner: K.S. Pittman
- Vehicle: 1941 Willys with an Oldsmobile engine
- Performance: 12.03 seconds at 118.89 mph
A/Gas (A/G):
- Winner: Ollie Olsen
- Vehicle: 1940 Willys with a Chevrolet engine
- Performance: 11.68 seconds at 116.27 mph
B/Gas (B/G):
- Winner: Junior Garrison
- Vehicle: 1940 Willys with a Chevrolet engine
- Performance: 12.42 seconds at 112.60 mph
C/Gas (C/G):
- Winner: Larry Teter
- Vehicle: 1932 Ford with a Chevrolet engine
- Performance: 13.34 seconds at 112.00 mph
From 1962 to 1964, the NHRA Spring Nationals were not contested. When the event returned in 1965, it was relocated to Bristol, Tennessee, and later moved to other locations over the years.
We are always looking for Detroit Dragway photos or negatives along with old DD videos. If you have any you would like to donate please contact me at detroitdragway.com@hotmail.com
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