There was a day when an indexed bracket car would launch and run full throttle to the finish line without one single stutter or delay. Long before NHRA introduced the Pro Gas style of racing (9.80 index) to its sportsman curriculum on an exhibition basis at the 1980 Winternationals, race fans embraced this kind of racing as a heads-up competition on a sportsman level.

Consider Wade Mooney as one of those who loved it. 

Mooney, who lives in Chattanooga, Tenn., has worked in drag racing over the last few decades in multiple roles as track announcer, race director, and operations manager; and always had a spot in his heart for the indexed bracket racers who often were used as filler or profit-generator at many high profile and major league national events. His most famous role is the man who makes stuff happen behind the scenes at Duck X Productions events.

Mooney's World Index Racing Championship on September 1-2, 2023, at Alabama International Raceway in Steele, Alabama, promises to make these racers the stars of the show. 

"I'm doing it for the little guy," Mooney said. "I come from humble beginnings in racing and always had some of the slowest, lowest dollar cars, and I just want to take care of the little man. The index racers have always been the backbone of heads-up racing and are used as fillers. I've seen it be at some races, four or five days, and race for $1,000 or something, and this is a chance for them to be the stars of the show."

Mooney said he understands the reasoning and value for today's electronically-aided Super style of racing, but he wanted to offer an alternative to make it more appealing for both racers and spectators, although he's not counting on full grandstands. 

"There's no stuttering except on the starting line with the rev limiters," Mooney explained. "But once they go down a track, it's side by side. Our goal is they're looking at each other going down there and making decisions. Do I take the stripe? Do I not take the stripe? Nobody's really chasing anybody. So it takes that out of it a little bit. You don't have to look back.

"It's not a big fan sport. As a matter of fact, when we set the budget for this race, I'm really not counting on many spectators, but again, I'm doing it for the racers and their families."

Mooney may not have figured spectators into the equation but believes there are plenty of gearheads in the drag racing sphere who can appreciate grassroots heads-up racing like he's presenting.

"It takes a special person to like the sportsman classes," Mooney said. "It's not everybody's cup of tea, but it's always been something that's interested me. My background dates back to the earliest years in bracket racing back in '69 with my parents, and I've always enjoyed the Stock and Super Stock classes just because of the low budget. Well, used to be low budget, but you know what I mean, the bottom of the totem pole kind of thing. Lack of respect, and I just want to give them the love and respect and make them stars too."

Mooney's roots go back to those days as a drag racing fan who did whatever he could to be involved. He took pictures and even announced. 

"I have some photographs in my archives from the finish line, and even with the camera, you almost can't tell who wins and they're looking at each other literally window to window," Mooney said. "And that's the way it began and the way we generally do it in the South. I mean, the NHRA and IHRA allowed the throttle stops and the whatnot to give you the high-speed advantage, but that's almost non-existent, even in the 4.70 index. It's side by side all the way down."

The event is eighth-mile at the Alabama facility made famous by Jason Collins and Scott Tidwell.

"Home of the IHRA Super Nationals back in the day," Mooney added. "Collins and Scott Tidwell have done a lot to rejuvenate the surface and repave the shutdown area last year. The pits have been redone. It's a very nice track, the nicest track in our neighborhood that we could do this type of race at and hopefully fit a few 100 cars in."

The first day of the event [September 1] will be a $5,000-to-win with a Junior Dragster event, as well as a Gambler's Race for all divisions. Saturday's race will bring the big money as the as the 6.0 and 7.0 index classes will race for $12,500 apiece, and the 4.7 division will have a $5,000-to-win prize. There will be bracket racing categories for both days. 

"Not everybody goes to the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, and we are going to try and build our own little big race here in Alabama," Mooney said. "We want to create something special for these guys and let them shine. We are going to have a great time regardless because that's what drag racing is about, having a good time."