In March of 1985, Lee Shepherd, who many thought was the best Pro Stock driver, racing for arguably the best Pro Stock team, Reher-Morrison, was killed when he was testing a new car at the Ardmore, Okla. track. A severe crosswind was blamed for sending Shepherd's car airborne, and after...

It was one of the best-kept secrets in all of drag racing: At the end of 1987, 33-year-old Funny Car racer Billy Meyer bought the IHRA from founder Larry Carrier. But those who knew Meyer weren't surprised – it was the sort of thing he'd done his whole career. Meyer,...