1986's Headline News

Glidden scores his milestone 50th career win Pro Stock ace Bob Glidden became the first NHRA driver to record 50 career wins with a dominating performance at the Chief Auto Parts Nationals at Texas Motorplex en route to a then-record seventh Winston championship. Garlits suffers blowover in Englishtown On July 11, "Big Daddy" Don Garlits' streamliner ran the quickest elapsed time in Top Fuel history with a 5.343 at the NHRA Summernationals. On Saturday, July 12, while trying to back up that 5.34 for a national record, Garlits launched into this spectacular power wheelstand. Gwynn notches his first career Top Fuel win Darrell Gwynn recorded a record five-straight 5.4-second elapsed times (and finally defeated Don Garlits) at the Winternationals en route to his first career Top Fuel victory, capped with a final-round victory over Connie Kalitta. Austin scores the first of many victories National event win number one in Pat Austin's distinguished career came at the Citgo Cajun Nationals where the then 21-year-old gunned down the field in impressive fashion, setting both Low E.T. and Top Speed en route to the winner's circle.

Pre-season race is stage for Muldowney comeback Pastorini 'touches down' in the winner's circle First Chief Nationals one for the books Ham, first Division 4 DD, retires Major magazines offer view of drag racing Monthly Headlines