Much to the delight of working men and women the world over, Friday has once again graced us with its presence, and that means another installment of Flashback Friday here on DRAGZINE. With the biggest and most prestigious drag race in the world, the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis less than a week away and the build-up of the annual happening in full swing, we thought a little “Big Go” flashback would be in good order. And so, we step back more than a quarter century to the 1982 running of the event, courtesy of the much-missed Diamond P Sports with the synonymous and legendary voices of the sport; Dave McClelland and Steve Evans.

The 1982 “Nationals” may be best known for the record-setting performances set throughout the weekend, and most notably, the devastating 5.63 elapsed time recorded by the legendary Don “The Snake” Prudhomme in Funny Car qualifying that left everyone within earshot stunned and dumbfounded. Gary Beck also reset the Top Fuel national record in qualifying at 5.50 seconds, and later lowered that mark with a dominating 5.48.

The early 1980’s, while not defined as the golden age of the sport, represents an era that will long be remembered, as the likes of Beck, Shirley Muldowney, Dick Lahaie, Tom McEwen, and many others were all a part of the landscape, many of them in the prime of their careers.

The ’82 “Big Go” titles ultimately went to fan favorite Muldowney, who defeated rival Connie Kalitta in the Top Fuel final, young Billy Meyer in Funny Car, and Frank Iaconio over local legend Bob Glidden. Enjoy this four part look at the ’82 U.S. Nationals that helped to create the lore of the O’Reilly Raceway Park and this iconic race.