Cobra Jets.

[Dick Kirkpatrick]

NHRA Timeline: 50 Years of Power (1951-2001)
Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
1951 - NHRA founded by Wally Parks.
1952 -- NHRA sanctions Pomona Drag Strip at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds under the auspices of Pomona Police Chief Ralph Parker.
1954 -- NHRA creates the Safety Safari, a team of drag racing ambassadors and officials who tour the country to introduce the sport to new audiences.
1955 - First NHRA national event held in Great Bend, Kan. Approximately 200 competitors enter for competition in one category: Top Eliminator.
1955 - Calvin Rice wins Top Eliminator at first NHRA national event with run of 10.30 seconds at 143.95 mph.
1956 - NHRA Nationals moved to Kansas City, Mo.
1956 -- NHRA publishes first comprehensive rule book for drag racing.
1957 - NHRA Nationals moved to Oklahoma City.
1959 -- Parachute braking device is first used and soon made mandatory for all cars exceeding 150 mph.
1959 - NHRA Nationals moved to Detroit.

[bill dedman]

I wouldn't bet a plugged nickel on it, but I don't think there was any necessity for re-naming the NHRA Nationals until 1961 because there was only that one race, annually. No chance for confusion, nor any reason to separate it from other races. The Dertroit race was the only national event NHRA held that year.

However, in 1961, the inaugural Winternationals was held at Pomona, and now it would be necessary to identify the Indy race as something other than just "The Nationals," since there were now, two "Nationals."

Hence, I believe, the "U.S. Nationals" moniker was born.

Could be wrong, but it makes sense to me.

Uh oh... I forgot; this is NHRA!!!