NHRA's Top 25 Alcohol Drivers: A Celebration of Speed and Talent
NHRA's 75th anniversary salute to its racers continues with the unveiling of the Top 25 Alcohol Drivers. This list, compiled by a panel of racing experts, celebrates the sport's greatest Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car racers. The first five drivers to be honored are Pat Austin, Blaine Johnson, Bucky Austin, Doug Gordon, and Joey Severance.
Pat Austin, a four-time champion, dominated the sport between 1987 and 1991, winning 70 national event wins and 54 divisional wins. His talent and killer instinct, combined with his father's horsepower, instilled fear in opponents. Austin's success extended beyond Funny Cars, as he became the first driver to win in both Top Alcohol Funny Car and Top Fuel at the 1991 Topeka event.
Blaine Johnson, a late four-time world champion, is considered one of the class greats. Despite competing for only six seasons, he set a class record of 26 wins by the end of 1993. Johnson's dominance continued with four consecutive season titles between 1990 and 1994, surpassing Bill Walsh's class-leading mark. His 1992 season was the first perfect season in the 10-race points format.
Bucky Austin, the self-proclaimed 'Northwest Hitter', carved a successful career path in the Northwest. He won eight Division 6 Top Alcohol Funny Car championships, 17 NHRA national events, and 44 divisional Wallys. Bucky and his brother Walt built a Top Gas car together, and their lifelong rivalry continued as they competed against each other.
Doug Gordon, a three-time world champion, displayed elite natural talents from the start of his driving career in 1996. He won his first national event in 2001 and has since emerged as a perennial title contender, winning 19 times since 2020. Gordon's success continued into 2024 when he unretired, allowing his daughter Maddi to move up to the Top Fuel ranks.
Joey Severance, a modest personality with a killer instinct, captured four consecutive world championships between 2015 and 2018, ending the Meyer family's dominance in the class. He became the fifth driver in the class' 50-year history with four championships, joining Blaine Johnson, Rick Santos, and Bill Reichert. Severance's success extended to the West Region, where he won four championships, and he owns and operates the popular Woodburn Dragstrip track in Oregon.
These drivers, each with their own unique story and talent, have left an indelible mark on the sport. Their achievements and contributions to the NHRA's rich history are celebrated through the special medallion presented at future national events. As the list continues to be unveiled, fans can look forward to honoring more of the sport's greatest racers.
