Gatornationals
The event is one of the sport's most revered with a rich tradition of history-making performances. The Gatornationals have the title of being the drag race to see the first 260-mph Top Fuel and Funny Car runs in 1984 by Joe Amato and Kenny Bernstein respectively, and the first 270-mph and 300-mph Top Fuel passes by Don Garlits and Kenny Bernstein in 1986 and 1992, respectively. Its 675-foot concrete launchpad is one of the longest on the tour.
In 2014 the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals entered its 45th annual national event which makes it the fourth oldest active event on the NHRA Professional tour, behind the Winternationals, U.S. Nationals, and the NHRA Finals. The event was sponsored by Amalie Oil Company, the current sponsor of the race. Previous sponsors of this event include MAC tools.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused some sportsman races to be held behind closed doors. However, the national event and top sportsman classes were postponed to September with spectators. In 2021 the race was moved to the season opener for all classes, also due to the pandemic. The Gatornationals has remained as the season opening race since this change.
Winners
| Year | Top Fuel | Funny Car | Pro Stock | Pro Stock Motorcycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Shawn Langdon | J.R. Todd | Erica Enders | Gaige Herrera |
| 2023 | Mike Salinas | Matt Hagan | Troy Coughlin Jr. | Gaige Herrera |
| 2022 | Tripp Tatum | Matt Hagan | Dallas Glenn | Karen Stoffer |
| 2021 | Josh Hart | J.R. Todd | Greg Anderson | Matt Smith |
| 2020 | Steve Torrence | Ron Capps | Alex Laughlin | Matt Smith |
| 2019 | Richie Crampton | Robert Hight | Bo Butner | Andrew Hines |
| 2018 | Richie Crampton | Jack Beckman | Tanner Gray | Eddie Krawiec |
| 2017 | Tony Schumacher | John Force | Shane Gray | Eddie Krawiec |
| 2016 | Brittany Force | Tim Wilkerson | Jason Line | Eddie Krawiec |
| 2015 | Spencer Massey | Ron Capps | Greg Anderson | Karen Stoffner |
| 2014 | Doug Kalitta | Robert Hight | Allen Johnson | Steve Johnson |
| 2013 | Antron Brown | Johnny Gray | Allen Johnson | Hector Arana Jr |
| 2012 | Morgan Lucas | Robert Hight | Mike Edwards | Eddie Krawiec |
| 2011 | Del Worsham | Mike Neff | Jason Line | Eddie Krawiec |
| 2010 | Tony Schumacher | Tim Wilkerson | Jason Line | Eddie Krawiec |
| 2009 | Larry Dixon | Bob Tasca III | Jason Line | Hector Arana Sr |
| 2008 | Tony Schumacher | Tony Pedregon | Jeg Coughlin | Matt Guidera |
| 2007 | Tony Schumacher | Ron Capps | Greg Anderson | Karen Stoffer |
| 2006 | David Grubnic | Ron Capps | Tom Martino | Angelle Sampey |
| 2005 | Doug Kalitta | Whit Bazemore | Jason Line | Steve Johnson |
| 2004 | Tony Schumacher | Del Worsham | Greg Anderson | Andrew Hines |
| 2003 | Brandon Bernstein | Gary Densham | Kurt Johnson | Angelle Sampey |
| 2002 | Larry Dixon | Tony Pedregon | Darrell Alderman | Craig Treble |
| 2001 | Larry Dixon | John Force | Jeg Coughlin | Matt Hines |
| 2000 | Doug Kalitta | Jerry Toliver | Warren Johnson | Dave Schultz |
| 1999 | Mike Dunn | John Force | Warren Johnson | Angelle Sampey |
| 1998 | Kenny Bernstein | Cruz Pedregon | Warren Johnson | Matt Hines |
| 1997 | Joe Amato | Al Hoffman | Jim Yates | Dave Schultz |
| 1996 | Blaine Johnson | John Force | Jim Yates | Dave Schultz |
| 1995 | Larry Dixon | John Force | Darrell Alderman | John Myers |
| 1994 | Connie Kalitta | John Force | Warren Johnson | John Myers |
| 1993 | Eddie Hill | John Force | Warren Johnson | John Smith |
| 1992 | Eddie Hill | John Force | Warren Johnson | Jim Bernard |
| 1991 | Joe Amato | Mark Oswald | Warren Johnson | Dave Schultz |
| 1990 | Darrell Gwynn | Ed McCulloch | Kenny Delco | John Myers |
| 1989 | Darrell Gwynn | Ed McCulloch | Darrell Alderman | |
| 1988 | Eddie Hill | Kenny Bernstein | Bruce Allen | |
| 1987 | Joe Amato | Don Prudhomme | Butch Leal | |
| 1986 | Don Garlits | Ed McCulloch | Don Campanello | |
| 1985 | Dick Lahaie | Kenny Bernstein | Warren Johnson | |
| 1984 | Joe Amato | Kenny Bernstein | Warren Johnson | |
| 1983 | Gary Beck | Frank Hawley | Lee Shepherd | |
| 1982 | Shirley Muldowney | Frank Hawley | Lee Shepherd | |
| 1981 | Shirley Muldowney | Gordie Bonin | Frank Iaconio | |
| 1980 | Gary Beck | Don Prudhomme | Lee Shepherd | |
| 1979 | Kelly Brown | Gordie Bonin | Bob Glidden | |
| 1978 | Don Garlits | Dale Pulde | Frank Iaconio | |
| 1977 | Don Garlits | Gordie Bonin | Don Nicholson | |
| 1976 | James Warren | Don Prudhomme | Larry Lombardo | |
| 1975 | Dale Funk | Don Prudhomme | Bob Glidden | |
| 1974 | Dave Settles | Don Prudhomme | Wally Booth | |
| 1973 | Herm Petersen | Pat Foster | Don Nicholson | |
| 1972 | Don Garlits | Ed McCulloch | Don Carlton | |
| 1971 | Jimmy King | Leroy Goldstein | Ronnie Sox | |
| 1970 | Dave Chenevert | Leonard Hughes | Bill Jenkins |
References
- ^ "History". Gainesville Raceway. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
- ^ NHRA ACDelco Gatornationals results; USA Today, March 16, 2008, Retrieved April 6, 2008
- ^ Schumacher, Capps team up for Gatornationals win; USA Today, 2007, Retrieved April 6, 2008