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

2000

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2000 TOP FUEL WORLD CHAMPION GARY SCELZI

  • Claimed third championship in four years
  • Scored record nine victories in 11 finals
  • Won season opener and closer in Pomona
  • Qualified No. 1 nine times
  • Switched to Funny Car in 2001

Top Fuel world champion
Gary Scelzi

Funny Car world champion
John Force

Pro Stock world champion
Jeg Coughlin Jr.

Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion
Angelle Sampey

Top Alcohol Dragster world champion
Rick Santos

Top Alcohol Funny Car world champion
Frank Manzo

Comp eliminator world champion
Jerry Arnolf

Super Stock world champion
Peter Biondo

Stock eliminator world champion
Edmond Richardson

Super Comp world champion
Ed Richardson

Super Gas world champion
Dan Northrop

2000

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

FORCE BECOMES WINS LEADER

With his 86th career victory at the national event in Chicago, John Force became the sport’s winningest driver, supplanting Pro Stock legend Bob Glidden atop the all-time leader board.

SAMPEY SECOND FEMALE CHAMP

Angelle Sampey became just the second woman in NHRA history to win a Pro category championship, capturing the Pro Stock Motorcycle crown. Top Fuel racer Shirley Muldowney won the first of her three in 1977.

NITRO PERCENTAGE

In the face of growing engine damage and safety and cost concerns, NHRA lowered the maximum nitromethane percentage for Top Fuel and Funny Car engines from 100% to 90%.

COMPTON NAMED PRESIDENT

Tom Compton became only the third president in NHRA history, taking over from Dallas Gardner, who assumed the role in 1984 from NHRA founder Wally Parks, who was its first president.

2000

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

NHRA Photo Scanned from Slide

Don Lampus

Lampus was awarded the NHRA Rookie of the Year for finishing in 11th place in Top Fuel after competing at 18 events. Lampus’ best finish was a semifinal in Denver, where he also set top speed of the meet.

Road to the Future award: Melanie Troxel

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