Albert, you're a little bit of both today. Oh yeah, thanks. Thank you. Anytime you can beat Sheldon Gekker, that's a real feather in your cap. Oh yeah, it is. He beat me last time we raced, and it makes me really, it was neat to beat him this time. It's gonna make Bob and Kathy pretty happy. They got this brand new car, good driver, and a nice Oscar under your belt. Oh yeah, it will. Back in California, they gave us a hard time for bringing a brand new car out here. And this ought to make them feel pretty bad for saying that. And he'll go back to those critics. What's that Oscar, Bob? Before I mention, that's what they call the NHRA Championship Eliminator Trophy. Pat Austin, thinking, getting ready, psyching himself up for the Alcohol Fun and Car Final against Kathy Townsend. Brought to you by Kendall Motor Oil. Pour it in and pour it on. Kendall's the crew for your candy, the juice for your drag, it's the joke and your goal, and what wins you's a drag. You want to add life to the life of your car, give it the good stuff. Kendall Motor Oil. Pour it in and pour it on. It's the push and the pick up, the zap and your Z. The revs in your turbo at the heart of your little GT. Pour it in, pour it on. Pour in the Kendall, and pour it on. It's the push and the pick up, the zap and your Z. The revs in your turbo at the heart of your little GT. Pour it in, pour it on, pour in the Kendall, and pour it on. We asked some Honda owners why they switched to Dodge Spirit. It's much roomier than a Honda. You're not crunched in the backseat as you were in the Honda. I feel that I'm getting my money's worth. Dodge Spirit has an airbag. It could save the life of someone in the family. It's really built for travel. It feels more solid than a Honda. For me, Chrysler's making a car that's competing head on with the Japanese. Dodge Spirit, an American car Honda owners can be proud of. All of these championship winning drivers have one thing in common, Goodyear Racing Eagles. The race winning technology that's found in the Goodyear Racing Eagles can also be found in the world's best selling line of high performance street tires, Goodyear Eagles Street Radios. The champions know, and it's why we say, the best tires in the world have Goodyear written all over them. He was the first to break 260. He was the first to crack 280. He's two time top fuel world champion, Joe Amato. And whether he comes to smash the records or just go home with them, his spark plugs are always auto light. He's not your average Joe, but then auto lights not your average plug. Two of the finest alcohol funny car drummers ever to strap themselves into one of these machines, Danny Townsend in the near lane, Pat Austin in the far lane. The competition practically even, these two guys have run each other repeatedly, and it's pretty much a toss up as far as the results are concerned, Steve. Well, if Danny Townsend wins here, it will be his third NHRA national event consecutively. Danny Townsend has raced for many years, and he has a certain maturity that you really wonder if Pat Austin has, even though he's won a lot of championships, it's just his seasoning over years and years in many different eliminator categories. One thing we know Austin has is just a mental drive. We can see him in the car. We noticed when he talked to Bob Fry after winning in the semis, he really pumped himself up like an athlete in a contact sport. He sure does. These two guys, as we said earlier, just a toss up as far as their skill levels are concerned, but Townsend, perhaps with a bit more experience, says they get ready to go. It's an alcohol funny car final, the green light is on, and a great launch by both cars, practically even at mid-crash. Great car race. Great finish to a great car race. Townsend, 616 to Austin's record, 615. Danny Townsend wanted on driving ability off the line. Rockets with his crew chief, Dan Mills. Dan, extraordinary. You guys ran strong all day long, but I'll tell you what, these drag races, it just doesn't get any closer than this. Now, Pat's an awful good competitor, as is all the other guys in the category. The cars were really close in the qualifying, and we're just as excited as we can be. Those Indy cylinder heads, Townsend, Richie, and Flay go back home. We're really happy, and we'll see you in Montreal. Congratulations. Excellent work. Good, Danny, too. Thanks. In replay, I'm not even sure that with a naked eye, we can see the difference in these automobiles off the starting line. Townsend in the near lane, according to the numbers, the electronic numbers, was away first by, well, about a hundredth of a second. He ran a hundred slower, so all of the book work actually works out to a Townsend victory. We've set him at four maybe a hundred times, but thank goodness we're electronic finish line judges. No human could possibly call this unbelievable race. Danny Townsend, by virtue of a better reaction time of 441 to a 459, has won the Budweiser Sports Nationals in top alcohol funny car racing. Danny Townsend with a big win in top alcohol funny car, and just continues his unbelievable streak. He is certifiably hot and on a roll right now. Not only did he win the race, but a 6.16 for Danny Townsend beat a 6.15 for Pat Austin. Danny, the car ran well, had a lot of power, and you certainly earned your money as the driver in that race. Oh, I don't know what to say. Three races in a row, and to beat Pat three times, I consider them guys to be the best there is. It's unbelievable. I thought Baton Rouge was unreal. This is really unbelievable. It's only three hours from home. It's great. I'll tell you what. You used to run that old road, so when comp eliminated and broke those guys back here, you're really starting to become a car that really has to be reckoned with. Yeah. I didn't really think it would ever happen in the funny cars, but it's really been a great year. After all the work, it makes it worth it when you come up and start having a streak like this. Oh, yeah. The nights you go without sleep, the driving all night and everything, it's just, you do this and you forget about everything. That's what makes drag racing so much fun. Sure does. It's great. Beating Pat Austin doesn't hurt either. The Townsend, Richie Flagle, top alcohol funny car, Danny Townsend wins three times now in 1990. Well, I think Danny was absolutely right, Brock. The real hard work in drag racing is getting from one event to the other, leaving Moan tired and going all the way home. But it's a lot easier when you've got the money, the Oscar, and a bunch of points maybe that apply to a Winston championship. Townsend, he won't mind to drive a bit. He sure won. Let's see as we watch Mike Koski and Earl Dattweiler in the top alcohol dragster final. And Mike Koski, who has run so well all day long, he has the lane choice here. And you've got to wonder whether or not Dattweiler is up to the task here. Koski has been on a roll recently and this race car is just strong. It's just consistent every time he runs a race. You're quite right there, Brock. And Earl Dattweiler into the final is a bit of a surprise. Certainly not Mike Koski in this near lane. We see this beautiful rolling camera shot in the shiny front wheels. The supercharged old mobile engine. You see the shift buttons on the steering wheel. For Koski, we showed you where they were earlier for Dattweiler down below the shift column almost right between his legs. You're right. Dattweiler has got to be pleased with this performance no matter what happens here. Well, he's going to find out whether or not he can better the man from Pennsylvania as they roll into the lights. They're going to activate the pre-stage light and in a couple of seconds, we're going to have ourselves a great drag race. Oh boy, I don't know if they can top the alcohol, but they'll sure try. Dattweiler, either gambling or a little anxious, leaves a red light. It is over. Mike Koski has won top alcohol dragster. If you look at the numbers, possibly Dattweiler was gambling. Mike Koski, 614. Dattweiler ran it as hard as he could and could only muster a 647. He wanted the whole shot and didn't get it. The tree caught him as it has everybody. An uncommon number of red lights here at the Sports Nationals. Everybody looking for a starting line advantage here in this high heat and humidity. As you can see right here, that is the Mike Koski car in the foreground. Dattweiler moving just a stair, a wink too quickly, and that is what caught him and took him out of the championship. Let's go to Bob Fry at the other end. A fitting conclusion to a very tough week of drag racing for Mike Koski. The American Flyer has been at this for quite some time. Comes up with a big win here at Columbus with a 614 in the finals. All right, we ran just as quick as we did all the while, huh? I'm really glad. That's all I can say. That didn't change much during the day and your performance didn't change much. You just stayed consistent and outran them all. That's all. We just kept it together. Had a good crew working on it. Kept everything together for me. Never heard a part all week and just had a good old time. Kind of makes this worthwhile, doesn't it? Yeah, it does, but it might get worse later on. It may get hotter, but nobody in the class can get any hotter. I doubt that. Mike Koski with the Oldsmobile. Big winner in top alcohol drags with a 614 over red lighting Earl Dattweiler. Hey, we all had a real good time here at the Budweiser Sports Nationals. A capacity crowd saw Mike Koski win alcohol drags. Danny Townsend alcohol bunny car. Albert Padron win super comps. For Bob Fry and Crockgate, I'm Steve Evans. So long from National Trail Raceway in Columbus. The executive producer for American Sports Cavalcade is RVM Palace. Produced and directed by John B. Mullen. Promotional consideration provided for and a fee paid by this special offer from Diamond P. For seven seasons, Diamond P. Sports award-winning American Sports Cavalcade series on TNN has brought you a wider variety of motorsports than any other and with more cameras than you normally see. And it's because of the talented people who man these viewfinders Diamond P. has been able to produce an exciting new video entitled And They Walked Away. Incredible crash from stock car racing. Motocross. Imsen SEC Road Racing. NHRA Drag Racing. Eastern Modifies. Even Swamp Buggies and more. To get your copy of And They Walked Away send 2495. Plus 350 shipping and handling to the address on your screen. Or better yet, call 1-800-453-9300. These in MasterCard accepted no CODs. Call now 1-800-453-9300. The American Sports Cavalcade is a presentation of Diamond P. Sports. Brought to you by Dodge. For exciting cars and tough trucks, it's advantage Dodge. And by Goodyear Eagle Radials. The best selling performance radials in the world. Listen, listen carefully. This man is using an amazing electronic breakthrough that lets him hear a pin drop across the room. It's the Whisper 2000. Gives you the astonishing experience of super hearing. No more embarrassing complaints when you watch TV. With Whisper 2000 you don't have to turn up the volume. It's hard to hear in the back seat of the car. Now sit back and talk comfortably. Can you hear me back there? Loud and clear. Awesome. Totally awesome. Use Whisper 2000 in theaters. You'll hear every word clearly, comfortably. Similar devices sell for $60. But it's yours now for just $19.95. Here's how to order. To order have your credit card ready and call toll free 1-800-257-0800 or send check or money order for $19.95 plus $4 shipping and handling to Whisper 2000 PO Box 10030, Stamford, Connecticut. You're watching CNN, the Nashville Network. This week on NHRA Today, a conversation with Daryl Gwynn about his plans for the future. The man behind Chrysler's Big Bed B1. It's taking success in super stock and taking the natural approach to super gas. From Indianapolis-Royce Way Park, home of the 36th annual U.S. Nationals, these stories and more on this edition of NHRA Today. 35 years ago, a group of diehard drag racers gathered at an abandoned airfield near Great Bend, Kansas to hold an event known simply as the U.S. Nationals. Calvin Rice's Mercury powered dragster won top eliminator that weekend. But the following year, the Nationals moved on to Kansas City. Then Oklahoma City and Detroit. Finally in 1961, the event landed in what has become its permanent home, Indianapolis Raceway Park. Since that time, the Nationals have grown into what can justifiably be called the most prestigious event on the NHRA Winston championship calendar. Hello everyone, I'm Steve Evans and welcome to this edition of NHRA Today. This is my 26th consecutive U.S. Nationals. And you know what, today when I drove through the gates here at IRP, I got that same tingly feeling I've had every year since 1965. This place will do that to you because you know that year after year, history will be made right here. In the next half hour, we'll journey back in time and highlight some of the memorable moments of the U.S. Nationals. But before we deal with the past, let's talk about the present and find out in the world of drag racing what's hot. There is no need to adjust your set. You're not seeing double. Here at the U.S. Nationals, Ricky Smith is running two identical pro stock cars. Ricky, why? Well, Steve, Timmy here does build these cars at Bickles. He's the main guy there. You know, he does me a lot of favor, so I'm just trying to return one, yeah. Timmy is Tim McCandless. Yes. What a thrill for you. It is. This was our, we made a couple of test runs last weekend and then everything worked out good, so we're just going to see if we can qualify. And he's out maybe testing a motor you might later run if it runs good. Yeah, you know, right now, he qualified with a 47. We have 44, so we're in the field right now. Maybe it'll work out good. Good luck to both of you. Thank you a lot. You bet. Well, the Smith-McCandless pairing is not the only new team in drag racing. The stars of NHRA are getting ready to play a benefit softball game against a team of drivers from NASCAR. Under the coaching of NHRA President Dallas Gardner, top drivers are picking up balls and bats in preparation for the Daryl Gwynn Softball Challenge at Reading Municipal Stadium in Pennsylvania on Thursday night, September 13th. There'll be an autograph session, free prizes and special drawings, so mark it on your calendar and come see the fun. And that's what's hot. One year ago, at the 1989 U.S. Nationals, Daryl Gwynn ran his first ever four-second elapsed time, and he went on to win the top fuel eliminator title. He was on top of the world. But as all of you know, earlier this year, Daryl suffered paralyzing injuries in an exhibition at Santa Barbara Raceway in England. Since returning to the United States, he has undergone many operations at Jackson Memorial Hospital's Miami Project to Cure Paralysis and intense physical therapy, all with one goal in mind, to again see his friends and fans at the 1990 U.S. Nationals. I've got some great news. Daryl did it. This is his first conference with the crew as they get ready to qualify. Earlier today at the hotel, we had a chance to talk. Daryl, some months ago, you set a goal for yourself, to be at Indy for the U.S. Nationals. Welcome home. Well, thank you, Steve. I wouldn't have missed it for anything in the world. You know, Indy's been good to me, and this is my 20th year coming to Indy, and I'm only 28 years old, so I've obviously been involved with the U.S. Nationals for a long time. You've always been a very hard worker, but what Dr. Green and the staff at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis are putting you through may be the hardest work.