Drag Racing: NHRA Divisional at Race Sonoma

And then GO.

I have not had a chance to shoot a drag race in quite some time. Matter of fact, I think the last time I took any photos of a drag car on the track, it was me and my step dad. It was his car and he was driving. That car was a beautiful 1967 tube chassis Camaro and Steve, my step dad, could drive it like nobody’s business. He had a knack for cutting lights and our competition knew it. Problem was, we both had an overwhelming desire to go faster than everyone else that brought out something to race, which meant we had too much motor for the lowly chassis we built for the car.

What does that mean?

Well, we had 1200hp in a chassis designed for about 700hp. An instant recipe for inconsistency, which if all you do is bracket race where consistency is the name of the game, is a very bad thing. As a result, we lost a lot. But we went really, really fast and had an absolute sh*t ton of fun so we didn’t really care. We got our fair share of round wins, and we typically entered at least two classes per weekend; so we had plenty of time on the track between Qualifying runs and rounds. It was a really good time in my life. My step dad was – and still is – my best friend and it was the time in my life where I learned more about racing, engines and tuning than any other time. It was when I knew for a fact that racing was not just something I would do as a hobby, but that would define a major portion of the rest of my life.

So with that little bit of history, I jumped at the chance to shoot the NHRA Division 7 Race at Race Sonoma. Here are my favorite shots from my day at the track. A full gallery below! Enjoy! – Kenneth Stouffer

Top Sportsman Driver David Cook gets ready to lay down a Qualifying run.

Wicked Super Comp GTO.

Lined up and ready for takeoff.

And this is how we make clouds.

And this is how the 3000hp, 250+mph Pro-Mod cars make clouds.

Sorta looks like a 69 Camaro. Just faster.

W.O.T. – Or – W.F.O Either way, this thing is getting down the track in a big hurry.

Jump up and get moving. Beautiful 69 Camaro getting it done.

Wrinkle it up…

And then GO.

A pair of Mopars jump off the line.

This really is why the Stock and Super Stock classes are so much fun.

Colorful smoke machine

Venting off the Nitrous Oxide.

Mopar. More Power. More jump.

The War Wagon does a good smoky burnout…

And then leaps off the line. As it should be.

One of the cleanest Challenger R/T’s you’re likely to find ANYWHERE, and it can do THIS! awesome.

The Plymouth Barracuda and it’s iconic hood scoop.

Even AMC has something nasty for this party.

Slick and sexy 57 Bel Air that goes 200mph in just over 7 seconds.

Bullet shaped, glow in the dark GTO.

Very cool Super Stock wagon.

David Cook’s Top Sportsman Mustang. Nitrous fed super Pony.

Indigeny Cider Top Sportsman GTO Driver – Ready.

This was a great tune up for this coming weekends NHRA Sonoma Nationals. Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Bike will all be on the schedule. Great times!

Here’s the rest of the photos from the NHRA Division 7 event:

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Ken Stouffer

I've been around some form of racing since I was a kid. First hanging around Ascot in Southern California. Then, after moving to Texas as a teen, I got hooked on drag racing and did that for almost fifteen years. In between I have raced Dirt bikes and Quads. 2011 Marked my 8th and final year racing up Pikes Peak: Five in the Pro Quad division and three in Time Attack. Future racing plans are in the works, but until then I'm at the track shooting for My Life at Speed as much as I possibly can.