Between the Outlaw Fuel Altered Association , Nitro Chaos , and single races like the World Fuel Altered Nationals , racers like Pete Dove have plenty of places to run their Fuel Altereds .
Racers in just about every class and level in drag racing have the opportunity to compete for a season championship , from NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series world championships down to local track championships . But victories at independent races can often come with just as much prestige , payouts , and publicity as a season-long title . Through consistent efforts , promoters in various corners of the sport have built independent events into destinations for racers and fans alike .
One of the prime examples of successful independent events is the Miller brothers ’ Haltech World Cup Finals – Import vs . Domestic at Maryland International Raceway . Celebrating 28 years this fall , the World Cup Finals attracts a wide variety of racers from all over the U . S . and beyond for four days of quarter-mile record chasing and racing .
“ Every year has been bigger than the previous year in terms of attendance , sponsor support , and media support ,” said Jason Miller in a 2022 DI interview . “ We target all the cool classes of cars from different sanctioning
PHOTOGRAPHS BY SHAWN KELLY , DARREL JACKSON JR ., JOE MCHUGH bodies and series , import and domestic , and write rules that accommodate those cars and their trims as they come from the other series . There ’ s no index , no bracket – it ’ s only heads-up racing on a quarter mile . There ’ s a cult following behind many of these different cars , combos , and classes at the race .”
Another Maryland-based event , the Yellowbullet Nationals , has brought Pro Mod , radial , and index racers and fans to Cecil County Dragway on Labor Day weekend every year ( except 2020 ) for the last 15 years .
The World Sport Compact Challenge XIV packs Orlando Speed World Dragway with import racers and fans every October . Billed as the “ world ’ s largest import drag racing event ,” it offers big payouts for a number of import classes .
Firebird Raceway in Boise , Idaho , celebrated 53 years of the Nightfire Nationals in August . Headlined by Nostalgia Top Fuel , Funny Car , Fuel Altereds , and Pro Mods , the Nightfire Nationals is one of the largest independent events in the western U . S .
This list just briefly touches on some of the big independent events making an impact on the sport , adding unique elements to the annual racing calendar otherwise filled up by touring series . – NATE VAN WAGNEN DI
Fuel Altereds have been a fan-favorite since the mid- 60s , when cars like “ Pure Hell ,” “ Rat Trap ,” “ Winged Express ,” and more captivated crowds . Big on power and short on wheelbase , these nearly untamable beasts use up the entire racing surface , whether it ’ s on the eighth or quarter mile .
Leading the charge to ensure these nitro-burning machines continue to get the recognition they deserve is Nitro Chaos promoter Chris Graves . While Nitro Chaos offers a variety of body styles – it features Funny Cars and front-engine dragsters as well – Fuel Altereds typically represent the majority of the field .
“ Fuel Altereds have always been a crowd favorite due to their badass stance and unpredictable behavior on the dragstrip ,” says Graves . “ They are arguably the most entertaining form of drag racing in history . They have stood the test of time and continue to be popular across the United States .”
In addition to running Nitro Chaos – and its sister series Funny Car Chaos – Graves took over the Outlaw Fuel Altered Association in 2020 . The series was started in 1996 by Bobby Marriott , and Graves intends to carry on that tradition into the future .
“ The Outlaw Fuel Altered Association is the longest lasting independent drag racing series in the country ,” Graves says . “ Going on 30 years in 2025 , it has always been a popular venue for AA / FA competition .”
Fans on the West Coast also have incredible access to the AA / FA class , with events like the Bakersfield March Meet and California Hot Rod Reunion at Famoso Dragstrip in California , as well as other NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series events .
While modern-day Fuel Altereds may look slightly different today than their old-school counterparts , the action and unpredictability of the category still hit like they did 60 years ago . Here ’ s hoping we see it continue for another 60 . – CRAIG COOK DI
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