Chris Karamesines, 80, not slowing down for Thunder Nationals at U.S. 131 ...

Chris Karamesines is 80 years, and age, you probably think the thing is is passing a kidney stone.

Well, not so fast.

Karamesines jumped into his nitromethane Fire Top Fuel Dragster for the Thunder Nationals at Martin Dragway in May and lost to Bruce Litton. But how fast was it going? Grandpa Got Game, he was going 278 mph.

He then drew national attention June 19 when he defeated Doug Kalitta in the opening round of the NHRA event at Bristol, giving his victory in the first round NHRA since 1990.

One wonders what Karamesines has in store when he returns to the U.S.131 Motorsports Park this weekend when the Thunder Nationals return to Martin quarter mile.

It will not shuffleboard. The Old Man and the (Christmas) tree, Part II is better that way.

The second day of the Thunder Nationals was rained earlier this spring, Martin officials have invited everyone back on Friday and Saturday, with the Top Fuel guys scheduled to run Saturday.

No, Karamesines is not older than dirt, or Hugh Hefner. But he could have beat all the rest. Karamesines is prior to the National Hot Rod Association itself.In fact, it started to drag racing in 1952, one year after the NHRA was born. John Force turned 3 years old in 1952.

Karamesines is competing in a match rare breeds like thunder nationals this summer, and while he runs a limited number of NHRA schedule, he is currently ranked 16th in Top Fuel Series.

"I guess I'll keep running until I can not pass the physical," said Karamesines, who lives in Chicago. "I am healthy, I'm fine, and my doctor told me keep doing what I love to do. "

Karamesines was a legendary drag racer of time before it starts to make 80 rounds.Karamesines, known as the Golden Greek, was ranked 30th overall in the NHRA released its list of 50 greatest drivers 10 years ago, although it has never won a race of big-time NHRA. But he won in almost all nationals of other series, past or present, including the IHRA, AHRA and ADRA.

THUNDER NATIONALS Where: U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin

When: Friday and Saturday, with cars Pro in 19 hours and 9 pm Friday and 19 am and 10 pm on Saturday

What: Mountain Motor Pro Stocks, Super Charged Thunder Top Fuel Dragster nostalgia.

Texas Dragstrips & Drag Racers: First Annual AHRA vs NHRA Race of ...

I remember in some of my first emails seeing pictures that were taken at the great and historic Green Valley Raceway track and attached a short description describing a non-forgettable Texas drag racing moment. Probably to describe one of the best events Green Valley ever had was this one -"Thanksgiving weekend event of 1960" AHRA vs NHRA Race of Champions meet that was included in Cars magazine April 1961. When Bill McClure owner.manager of Green Valley Dragway of Smithfield, Texas, originated the idea of staging a big AHRA vs NHRA Race of Champions, he had no way of knowing the excitement that would be generated by this bold move. AHRA and NHRA champions caught the spirit of this great event with equal fervor, and within weeks of the first announcement was the talk of the sport. Hecho In Texas was formed to gather information about nostalgic dragstrips and drag racers of Texas ranging from the 1940s to the 1960s. Information listed is based on old stories gathered and submitted by the drag racers who raced in the true beginnings of the sport while other info is found on the net. This blog also has car culture information ranging from the evolution of the hot rodding sport in California and then on to parts of Texas. The home town of this blog is Austin. Enjoy!

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