The Gatornationals is an annual National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) national drag racing event held each March at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Florida. The event was held for the first time in 1970.[1]

Gatornationals
National Hot Rod Association
VenueGainesville Raceway
LocationGainesville, Florida, U.S.
29°45′29.00″N 82°16′29.00″W / 29.7580556°N 82.2747222°W / 29.7580556; -82.2747222
Corporate sponsorAmalie Oil Company
First race1970
Circuit information
Length14 mi (0.40 km)

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

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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[2] Tony Pedregon Jeg Coughlin Matt Guidera
2007 Tony Schumacher[3] 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

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  1. ^ "History". Gainesville Raceway. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  2. ^ NHRA ACDelco Gatornationals results; USA Today, March 16, 2008, Retrieved April 6, 2008
  3. ^ Schumacher, Capps team up for Gatornationals win; USA Today, 2007, Retrieved April 6, 2008
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