The National Hot Rod Association continued its growth, in recognition and stature as well as size and complexity. New rules were introduced in early 1956 to facilitate new entries from Detroit From January through July 1956 alone, 25 new dragstrips opened up, and 33 states boasted NHRA-sanctioned tracks. To better communicate with its members, the quarterly Drag-Link bulletin gave way to the monthly Tie Rod.

NHRA's Charter Club program helped better the name of the hot rod sport, with clubs participating in police functions, as well as rescuing stranded motorists and performing other kind civic-minded deeds. Public-relations blossomed with their good deeds; sadly, NHRA also found that the many good deeds of its members and of hot rodders nationwide, could be undone by the press. Several negative articles caused temporary setbacks

The NHRA Drag Safari kicked off its third tour of the country, staging 18 regional championship events in California, Colorado, Texas, New Jersey, Illinois, Iowa, Utah, and Oregon, with many of today's well-recognized heroes earning their first national glory.

The season, of course, all led up to the 1956 National Championship Drag Races, held this year in Kansas City, Mo. Melvin Heath (pictured), winner of both the Southwest and Missouri Valley regionals, earned the National Championship with a final-round defeat of Don Little, in the Reath & Mailliard "B" Competition coupe-winning entry. The event received enormous publicity nationwide on television, in newspapers, and in magazines.