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

1991

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1991 TOP FUEL WORLD CHAMPION JOE AMATO

  • Scored fourth of five career championships
  • Title was second of three in a row
  • Became first driver to sweep Western Swing
  • Scored four wins in eight finals
  • Collected five No. 1 qualifying berths

Top Fuel world champion
Joe Amato

Funny Car world champion
John Force

Pro Stock world champion
Darrell Alderman

Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion
Dave Schultz

Top Alcohol Dragster world champion
Blaine Johnson

Top Alcohol Funny Car world champion
Pat Austin

Comp eliminator world champion
David Nickens

Super Stock world champion
Jeff Taylor

Stock eliminator world champion
John Calvert

Super Comp world champion
Scotty Richardson

Super Gas world champion
John Asta

1991

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

AUSTIN DOUBLES IN TOPEKA

Pat Austin won in both Top Fuel and Top Alcohol Funny Car at the NHRA ACDelco Heartland Nationals in Topeka, Kan., making him the first driver to win two eliminator titles at the same race.

HOT ROD REUNION ROARS TO LIFE

The first California Hot Rod Reunion brought together legendary pioneers of the sport Nov. 14-15, at famed Famoso Dragstrip in California, the first edition of a popular event that continues to this day.

‘SNAKE’ WINS TOP FUEL AGAIN

Twenty-one years after his last Top Fuel win, four-time Funny Car world champion Don Prudhomme won again after his return to the class the previous year, scoring at the NHRA Springnationals in Ohio.

NITRO PLANT EXPLOSION ROCKS SPORT

A May explosion at a nitroparaffin plant in Sterlington, La., that produced about 75% of all drag racing nitromethane spiked costs and concerns, but conservation and pursuit of new markets got the sport through.

1991

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

1991 rookie

Del Worsham

At just his seventh NHRA national event, Worsham, 21, scored an upset final-round victory at the NHRA Southern Nationals, becoming the youngest Funny Car driver in history win an NHRA national event. He added a second victory in Englishtown, N.J., and finished sixth in the championship race.

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