Grand Prix Racing

Get ready for a weekend of Chaos in two locations!

Funny Car Chaos is headed to Byron Dragway in Byron, Illinois, July 31 - August 1, 2026

DMP Awnings NITRO CHAOS Championship tour rolls into US 131 Motorsports Park July 31st-August 1st

And remember if you need help with anything related to your awning - we are here to help

✅ New Fabric
✅ Updated Graphics
✅ Awning Repairs
✅ Full Enclosure
✅ New hardware and supports

We've Got You Covered!

Phone: 320-237-0509
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.dmpawnings.com

This Gas Company dragster is one of the memorable machines from the golden age of NHRA Top Gas competition, representing a time when ingenuity, craftsmanship, and raw horsepower defined American drag racing. Originally owned and campaigned by Chuck Reed, the AA/GS (Supercharged Gas) dragster became a familiar sight at NHRA events during the 1960s, an era often regarded as the peak of front-engine dragster racing. Built for maximum acceleration while complying with Top Gas regulations, the car combined lightweight construction with a potent supercharged V8, making it a formidable competitor on drag strips across the United States. Its distinctive appearance and competitive spirit have earned it a lasting place in drag racing history.

Power came from a race-prepared V8 topped with the iconic GMC 6-71 Roots-type supercharger, the blower that became synonymous with high-performance drag racing during the period. Feeding the engine was a mechanical fuel-injection system with exposed injector stacks, while the car's unusual "mailbox" cover served a practical purpose in the pits by protecting the injector openings from dirt, dust, insects, and other debris before a run. This simple but effective solution reflected the hands-on ingenuity of racers in the era, when every detail mattered. Combined with a lightweight front-engine chassis and carefully tuned drivetrain, the supercharged setup delivered the explosive acceleration and unmistakable exhaust note that made Top Gas dragsters crowd favorites.

Today, The Gas Company dragster is remembered as an enduring symbol of the glory days of NHRA drag racing. Enthusiasts admire the car not only for its performance but also for the craftsmanship and practical engineering that characterized grassroots racing in the 1960s. Restored examples and historic photographs continue to captivate fans at vintage drag racing events, where the unmistakable silhouette of a front-engine digger evokes memories of one of the sport's most exciting eras. More than half a century later, Chuck Reed's famous dragster remains a tribute to the creativity, determination, and relentless pursuit of speed that helped shape the legacy of American drag racing.

This Howard's Cams Twin Bears Digger is one of the most spectacular dragsters to emerge from the golden age of American drag racing. Built during a period when innovation often outweighed convention, the car became famous for its extraordinary twin-engine configuration and unmistakable appearance on the quarter-mile. Sponsored by Howard's Cams, the Twin Bears Digger embodied the fearless engineering spirit of the 1960s, when drag racers constantly experimented with new ways to generate more horsepower and achieve quicker elapsed times. Its unique layout made it an instant crowd favorite and a memorable icon of early exhibition and fuel drag racing.

At the heart of the dragster were two high-performance V8 engines mounted side by side, carefully synchronized to deliver their combined power through a single drivetrain. This twin-engine arrangement dramatically increased horsepower while presenting enormous engineering challenges in engine synchronization, throttle linkage, ignition timing, cooling, and drivetrain durability. Every component had to withstand tremendous mechanical stress, requiring meticulous fabrication and precision tuning to ensure both engines worked together flawlessly. The result was an awe-inspiring machine that delivered explosive acceleration, an unforgettable exhaust note, and a visual presence unlike almost anything else seen on the drag strip during its era.

Today, the Howard's Cams Twin Bears Digger is remembered as a symbol of drag racing's most creative and experimental years. Enthusiasts continue to admire the car for its bold engineering, craftsmanship, and willingness to challenge traditional thinking in pursuit of greater performance. Whether displayed at vintage drag racing events, museums, or classic car exhibitions, the Twin Bears Digger captures the imagination of motorsport fans with its rare twin-engine design and historic significance. Decades after it first thrilled spectators, it remains a lasting tribute to the ingenuity, determination, and relentless pursuit of horsepower that defined the golden age of American drag racing.

Burn the fuel. Make the memories. When it's time to fix it or make it faster, Grand Prix Auto Sports Center has your back.

One of the most extraordinary engines in American motorsport history, this supercharged Pontiac V8 was built for Mickey Thompson's ambitious 1959 Challenger I land speed record car. Thompson, already renowned for his fearless engineering and relentless pursuit of speed, designed Challenger I to become the first American-built vehicle capable of surpassing 400 mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats. To achieve that goal, he equipped the sleek streamliner with four specially prepared Pontiac V8 engines, each contributing to a combined output that placed the car among the most powerful land speed machines of its era. The project showcased not only Thompson's ingenuity but also Pontiac's willingness to support one of the boldest engineering efforts of the 1950s.

Each engine was based on Pontiac's rugged V8 architecture and extensively modified for extreme high-speed competition. Fitted with a GMC Roots-type supercharger, strengthened internal components, and specialized fuel and ignition systems, every V8 was engineered to deliver extraordinary horsepower while operating reliably under sustained full-throttle conditions. Together, the four engines produced an estimated 1,600 to 2,000 horsepower, transmitting their immense power through a complex driveline to all four wheels of the Challenger I. Although difficult driving conditions on the salt prevented the car from achieving its ultimate objective, it nevertheless recorded a one-way run of more than 400 mph, demonstrating the remarkable potential of Thompson's innovative design.

Today, the supercharged Pontiac V8 engines from Challenger I are remembered as symbols of American determination and engineering ambition. They represent an era when land speed pioneers were willing to push the limits of available technology in pursuit of seemingly impossible goals. Enthusiasts continue to admire these rare engines for their unique place in Bonneville history and for the craftsmanship required to synchronize four supercharged V8s into a single record-setting machine. More than six decades later, Mickey Thompson's Challenger I remains one of the most iconic land speed cars ever built, and its quartet of Pontiac engines stands as a lasting tribute to the spirit of innovation that defines motorsport at its highest level.