There was a time when the IHRA was a bona fide threat to the NHRA's throne as the leader in drag racing. Thank Winston for the help in leveling the playing field with it's huge points fund.

While NHRA largely ruled the roost, the IHRA Winston Drag Racing Series provided professional drag racers with an opportunity to pick up extra racing time on "off" weekends, and because there was a large purse and points fund, it became a serious venture.

This time, the IHRA's ten-race tour rolled into Edgewater Motorsports Park, located just outside of Cincinnati, Ohio, for an honest to goodness showdown between the top professionals. NHRA had dropped Top Fuel in 1984, putting more prestige into the Funny car division.

This was one of the first broadcasts on ESPN, which IHRA had become a regular feature long before NHRA migrated over, and the storyline was on two drivers who had amassed quite a record of four-straight wins - Dale Pulde and Bruce Allen.

How about some obscure professional drag racing from the American Hot Rod Association? We have coverage fo the 1984 Grand American Series from U.S. 30 Dragway in Gary, Indiana. #ClassicDragRacing - https://t.co/821L0lSH5C pic.twitter.com/jyUlpBgEoZ

— Competition Plus (@competitionplus) May 21, 2020

Only three times since the introduction of NHRA Pro Stock in 1970, has the factory hot rod division been overhauled. Our team at CompetitionPlusTV has compiled a season in review of 1982, the first year of 500-inch. #ClassicDragRacing - https://t.co/CjWVyk7b5B pic.twitter.com/7SbdarYCt8

— Competition Plus (@competitionplus) May 19, 2020