HARLEY DAVIDSON DRAG RACING

HARLEY DAVIDSON NITRO DRAG RACING

BY JOHNNIE SALVINO

Have you ever caught a whiff of burning rubber or, heard the roar of motors rumbling down a race track? The fi rst time I witnessed the Harley Davidson Nitro Drag Races I was mesmerized. My name is Johnnie Salvino and, I am a moto-journalist. I have been riding and writing on my custom Shovelhead trike to motorcycle venues and charity events for over 13 years.

The Gainesville Race track hosts the Harley Drag races twice a year. I rode out to the track on Sunday 4/3/22 to experience some fi ne tuned machines that can go from 0 to 200+ mph in 5 seconds. I was in the pits observing the teams preparing for each race and spoke with a couple of the pilots of these “rocket motorcycles” to get a little insite on what urges them to drive a jet fueled bike.

Larry “Grey Ghost” Stanley has been racing since 1966. Larry raced HD Shovelhead and Kawasaki motorbikes back in the day when Daytona was a dirt track. He is a very respected pilot on the Nitro top fuel racing circuit. The teams are all mourning the loss of DJ “The Nitro Santa Claus”.

DJ was “The Man” when it came to fi ne tuning these high-tech motors and out of utmost respect Larry rode with a silver vial and chain containing the beloved DJ’s ashes around his neck. These racers are all like family and lend a helping hand whenever needed and, DJ was always doing just that. He will be missed by All the Nitro Racing Family. Rest In Peace DJ.

Walter Halonski has been racing Nitro top fuel since 1995 but he has ridden and wrenched on motorcycles most of his life. Walter explained that “racing on the track helps keep my driver license”. I am guessing he gets all the “need for speed” on a regular basis on the track helps keep his highway speed within the limits. I asked Walter if he had a favorite track and he responded Rockingham, N.C. and, since I was raised in N.C., of course, I do believe it is mine as well.

There are many other motorcycle divisions that race during these events but, I am partial to the “Big Boys”. The Top Fuel Nitro Racers are some of the fastest bikes on the track. There is so much skill, time and, money involved in going from the starting line to the fi nish it is astonishing. Check out a race if you get a chance and, I promise you will be going back for more. Until next time, Dirty Side Down Ya’ll!

Johnnie