Darrell Gwynn Sets Drag Racing Record for Elapsed Time in Nationals Qualifying

Darrell Gwynn had the quickest elapsed time in drag racing history Thursday as qualifying began for Monday’s National Hot Rod Assn. U.S. Nationals at Raceway Park.

Gwynn, 24, the youngest driver competing for the top-fuel world championship, made a 5.342-second, 269.29-m.p.h. run that earned him the No. 1 qualifying position.

His time surpassed the record of 5.343 that Don Garlits ran last July.

Gwynn, from Miami, Fla., also beat the previous track records of 5.468 seconds, set by Joe Amato in 1984, and 263.00 m.p.h., set by Garlits in 1985.

“We came out today intent on putting a good time on the boards,” Gwynn said. “The weather conditions were perfect, cool air and very low humidity, so we expected to run in the 5.30s.”