FYI WIRZ: NHRA Celebrates Spring Air with a Big Roar at the Gatornationals

The enchanting fragrance of orange blossoms is common to Florida spring air, but about the same time as that yearly event, another scent permeates the atmosphere in March: that of engines spewing Nitromethane fumes. To drag racing fans and gearheads, both are welcome.

Many tourists and local residents swarm to the Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals presented by NAPAFilters.com at Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville, Florida this weekend.

That NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event will be telecast on ESPN2 HD at 6 p.m. Mar. 11, but keep in mind the olfactory part requires an on-site visit.

The big roar of 8,000 horsepower engines is also brought to fans at home via HD TV, but feeling that thunder requires a visit to the straight track where every ticket is a pit pass.

Already in 2012, several drivers have emerged at the top of the points ladder as the season—just two races young—goes into its third race of 23 total.

Several top drivers had comments prior to the popular central Florida event.

The reigning NHRA Funny Car champion. Matt Hagan was eager for the “Gators”.

"Right now, we just want to go to Gainesville and win some rounds,” Hagan. “We can't dig ourselves too big of a hole. I wouldn't have believed you if you told me after we won the championship that we wouldn't win a round in the first two races.

"This Mopar/Aaron's Dodge is going to be strong. We just have to get to Gainesville and hit the ground running. Our team's motto since we tested in January was to stay humble. We have to get back out there and my team knows that I have all the confidence in them and Tommy (crew chief DeLago). I know they still have confidence in me."

John Force, 15-time champion and present 2012 Funny Car points leader, had defining thoughts on last season and 2012.

“No matter how hard you try, you still have to have a good hot rod,” Force said. “Last year I just didn’t have a heap that could win. But we’re back.

“Making the Top 10 is going to be tough. Somebody is going to be left out. There are a lot of cars running better than ours right now. We’re in the hunt but, we’ve got a little ways to go. I just want to keep fighting and keep my nose clean and get points. It’s too early to think about anything else.

“We want to win every race and we work hard at it, but, on the positive side, we’ve had two races with Force Mustangs in the finals. We’re definitely satisfied with that. We’ll just keep on keepin’ on.”

Top Fuel dragster driver Antron Brown has surged to top of the points pile over his teammates and others.

"I always like going back to Gainesville,” Brown said. “That's where it all started for me. It will always hold a special place in my heart.

"I've come close to winning there. I just want to get to the final on Sunday and have a chance to get it done."

Brown credits his crew chiefs Mark Oswald and Brian Corradi for this year's success.

"Mark and Brian and the boys on the team have been putting in long hours. I like what I see in their eyes; the drive, the passion. They're really digging deep. That puts a smile on my face."

Top Fuel legend Kenny Bernstein hung up his helmet in 2007 and recently shut down his team, but he will be honored this weekend for running the first 300 mph pass at Gainesville in 1992.

“The NHRA drag racing side, the 300-mile-per-hour feat, the things we got to accomplish in drag racing will be forefront always,” Bernstein said. “It's always really the NHRA drag racing side because I got to be the driver there. That's the one thing that I have always enjoyed the most of any of these racing endeavors. An owner is fine, but there's nothing like driving, winning and competing, being at the top of your game on a certain day.”

Many drivers are hopeful for a win at the prestigious Gatornationals, but only 16 qualify for race day in each class and only one takes home the big prize, the coveted “Wally” trophy.

During elimination time, warm Florida air will reverberate with echoes from powerful engines.

Abundant crowds will be thrilled by engine thunder.

Spring air is rarely this active.

FYI WIRZ is the select presentation of topics by Dwight Drum at Racetake.com. Unless otherwise noted, information and all quotes were obtained from official release materials provided by NASCAR and team representatives.