Wally Parks, who in 1951 while editor of Hot Rod magazine formed the NHRA, resigned his position as Editorial Director at Petersen Publishing to assume full-time responsibility as Chief Executive Officer of the NHRA.
GARLITS WINS FIRST TOP FUEL RACE
As NHRA prepared to end the long “nitro ban” in 1964, Don Garlits won the first Top Fuel eliminator at the NHRA Winternationals in his winged Swamp Rat V entry.
CHRISTMAS TREE DEBUTS
The new “Christmas Tree” starting system was used for the first time at the NHRA Nationals in Indy, replacing the traditional flag starter. The event was televised on ABC’s Wide World of Sports program.
DUAL CHAMPIONS
NHRA decided it was time to expand the championship program to two divisions – Hot Car and Stock Car – which were won, respectively, by Charlie Smith and Ronnie Broadhead.
