91����

As a rule, it’s usually not wise to question your superiors at work. And when it’s your first day on the job, that is especially true, but I feel that this subject must be addressed and sooner, not later, so here, in what is my first (and hopefully not last) column for National DRAGSTER, I am going to take the staff to task.

In a recent issue of this beloved publication, a series of stories ran chronicling the Top 10 on a variety of subjects. The ND staffers covered everything from drivers to crew chiefs, innovations to rivalries, best cars to best runs — you name it, they covered it. They even had the Top 10 races in the history of the NHRA and also had honorable mentions for those that came close but (at least in their minds) didn’t quite measure up. So how I ask you could this esteemed group of professionals have missed arguably the most famous race ever run? It was one for the ages; it had drama, a double up, first-time winners, compelling stories. It had it all. How could this event not make the cut? 

The race that I’m referring to, of course, is the one that took place at Firebird Int’l Raceway 18 years ago. At the time, it was called the 8th annual Motorcraft-Ford Nationals, but over the years, it has since become known as simply “Phoenix ’92.” All one has to do is listen to the announcers at the track or on the audiocast, and you will undoubtedly hear a reference to that great race. Even Lewis Bloom, ESPN’s stat man, while looking up interesting tidbits of information time and time again, finds that either the first time or the last time something memorable happened was at Phoenix ’92. 

The event was a showcase for both established and up-and-coming Sportsman superstars, including Blaine Johnson on his way to his third of four championships in Top Alcohol Dragster before moving up to the Top Fuel ranks. In the final, he beat Tiffani Hyland, who was making her first appearance in the money round and would come back a year later to win in Phoenix. The Comp winner was David Rampy, already one of the greats, who would go on to become, well, David Rampy. The Super Street champ was another guy you might have heard of, Edmond Richardson, who only had two national event trophies at the time but in Phoenix picked up the first of his seven national event wins in 1992 and launched his career to NHRA stardom.

On the other end of the scale, eight of the finalists were there for the first time and two of them won. In a battle of first-time finalists, Norman Kaptan bested Chad Guilford in Stock. Norman qualified No. 1 in his Mustang and won Stock for his first (and to date only) national event win. They say you never forget your first, and that is especially true when you don’t get a second. When I spoke to him after the win, my picture was taken, which marked the first time my mug graced the pages of this tome — I was younger and cuter then. Chad Guilford never won a national event, but the points earned in Phoenix that year set him on his bid to win the world championship. Another first-timer was Buddy Nickens, who was racing in Super Stock and, in only his second start, won his first national event win. He then tried to kidnap Miss Winston in the winner’s circle. Buddy might or might not remember that day, but I bet Deb Brittsan does. The Super Stock runner-up was Rick Braun, who was also making his first final-round appearance. Rick would score a few more final rounds over the years as a driver and most recently reentered the spotlight as team owner for the Lucas Oil world championship-winning Comp car driven by Dan Fletcher.

Super Gas winner Kyle Seipel would win his second event and then go on to finish second behind Jeg Coughlin in the point standings when all was said and done. At season’s end, seven of the Sportsman finalists would rank in the top 10 of their respective classes and three would be crowned world champions. 

More firsts? How about Kim LaHaie, driving Laurie Frazier’s car, who qualified 16th and made her first start as a driver in the Top Fuel ranks that weekend, as did current ESPN analyst Mike Dunn. Mike was the No. 3 qualifier only to be bounced in round one by Don “the Snake” Prudhomme. Had Mike been working in the TV booth that day, he surely would have pointed out that Prudhomme’s car picked up two tenths after qualifying and that his own team was much too conservative.

The Top Fuel winner that day was Pat Austin, who triumphed over first-time finalist Doug Herbert. Pat also took home the trophy in Top Alcohol Funny Car (beating his uncle, Bucky, in the final) for his second double win. At a time when nobody else had ever won two classes at the same race, Pat remains the only driver to double up with one Pro and Sportsman entry.

Funny Car featured one of the most upset-filled days ever and had a very rare occurrence: All four of the semifinalists came from the bottom of the ladder and only one of them had ever won. In the final, No. 9 qualifier Tom Hoover beat No. 11 Richard Hartman for his first win in more than 13 years! For Richard, it was his second final-round appearance and the closest he has come to national event gold. For the other two semifinalists, it would be years later before Gary Densham (No. 10 that day) would win after he joined the John Force juggernaut, and Phoenix’s own Johnny West (No. 12) would finally get to the winner’s circle as a crew chief but never as a driver.

Pro Stock went to Jerry Eckman fresh off his win at the season-opening Winternationals. His Pontiac qualified No. 1, set low e.t., and won the race. The bizarre part, he never raced anybody to the stripe. His first two opponents, Kenny Delco and Frank Iaconio, both fouled out. His last two, Warren Johnson and Don Beverley, both shut off well before the finish line. When do you ever remember seeing that in Pro Stock? 

Let’s talk television. Today we are used to seeing the races air on Sunday night, usually just hours after they were run. But back then, the race was delayed one week and seen as part of American Sports Cavalcade on TNN, but Phoenix ’92 was the first live broadcast of a national event. I remember the late Steve Evans saying, “It’s a dusty, blustery day here in Phoenix, and we’re making a little bit of history.” 

Firebird has always held a special place in Jack Beckman’s heart. This year, he won in Funny Car, it was his second Funny Car triumph at Firebird, and Jack will never forget it. He has also never forgotten his first national event start; it was in Super Comp, and he went a couple of rounds before getting put on the trailer by Dan Dickey. And as I’m sure you have guessed, it was at Phoenix ’92. I could go on and on, but I think by now you get the point. Now that you know the legend, you will be surprised just how often this race is brought up. 

Was it the greatest race ever run? Maybe, maybe not. Was it top 10 all time? I would vote yes. Did it at least deserve an honorable mention? Without question it did. If you were there, you will always remember it. But even if you missed it, you can ask any historian, stat keeper, or team PR rep, and they will tell you there will never be another Phoenix ’92.