Celebrating 75 years of speed, power, and the world's fastest motorsport

1973

Select Year

1973 TOP FUEL WORLD CHAMPION JERRY RUTH

  • Claimed first career world championship
  • Defeated Gary Beck at the NHRA World Finals
  • Set low e.t., top speed at NHRA Finals
  • Self-proclaimed “King of the Northwest”

Top Fuel world champion
Jerry Ruth

Funny Car world champion
Frank Hall

Pro Stock world champion
Wayne Gapp

Comp eliminator world champion
Paul Smith

Modified world champion
Chris Lawrence

Super Stock world champion
Bill Haynes

Stock eliminator world champion
Jerry McClanahan

1973

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

'SNAKE' FIRST INDY DOUBLE-FUEL WINNER

With his NHRA U.S. Nationals Funny Car victory, three-time Indy Top Fuel winner Don “the Snake” Prudhomme became the first driver to win in both nitro-fueled classes at the prestigious event.

NEW NATIONAL RECORD POLICY

Beginning at the NHRA Winternationals, drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock could set national records at national events. Previously, records could only be set at designated record meets.

MULDOWNEY LICENSES IN TOP FUEL

After two fiery years in Funny Car, Shirley Muldowney became the first woman to qualify for an NHRA competition license in Top Fuel. Don Garlits was among those to sign her license application.

DONS WIN DELAYED OPENER

Don Garlits (Top Fuel), Don Schumacher (Funny Car), and Don Nicholson (Pro Stock) won the NHRA Winternationals, which took three weekends to complete because of persistent rain.

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s