Originally written by Susan Wade for Competitionplus.com on 3/13/10
The townspeople lined the streets. The colorful parade of haulers and cars past the University of Florida signaled that the hot-rod crowd was in town for the Gatornationals. And young Darrell Gwynn soaked in all the glory of spring and sunshine and waves and cheers and being the privileged kid to ride in his dad’s roadster in the middle of it all.
Darrell Gwynn's Coors Extra Gold Top Fuel Dragster at the 1989 NHRA Mopar Mile High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway.
“I was nine years old at the time, thinking, ‘This is the coolest thing in the world, and I want to be a race-car driver someday. And I want to win this race,’ ” Gwynn said.
That was in 1970.
Twenty years later, with two Top Fuel Gatornationals triumphs among his 28 overall and with drag-racing magnificence almost a given, Gwynn again was the center of attention — in the worst of ways. A crash during an exhibition run at England’s Santa Pod Raceway April 15, 1990, just one month after his 1990 Gatornationals victory, left him paralyzed from the chest down.
A leap forward 20 more years has found Gwynn settled into his new role as administrator of his foundation that works to help individuals and families affected by spinal cord injuries and debilitating disease through paralysis-prevention education, support, and fundraising for a cure.
Gwynn long ago made peace with his own situation. But he showed Friday at the 41st edition of the Gatornationals that he certainly cherishes the fun days.
“I miss the driving part of it more than anything. Team ownership has its heartaches and sleepless nights. I don’t know too many drivers who don’t sleep very well, worried about the race the next morning, as much as the owners,” he said with an easy laugh. “The ownership was a lot of headaches — great times, good driver, Mike Dunn. At the end of the day, I’d rather have been in the cockpit.
“I’d much rather be driving a car today than driving a car 20 years ago,” Gwynn said. “We had no neck braces. We didn’t have the helmets they have now. We didn’t have the restraints. Yeah, they go faster, but if you crash at 290 or 315, not a big difference if you hit a wall. In general, the cars are real safe, and NHRA does a good job of keeping them in line. The reason drag racing is a safer sport than most other forms of motorsports is the fact that they’re going in a straight line. Crashes continue to go in a straight line.”
Gwynn did drive a specially built dragster, a labor of love by former crew member Mike Gerry, at the 2001 U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis. But he never has sat in it again. “Nope, and I’m not going to,” Gwynn said. He told historian Steve Gibbs, as they debated for a second or two whether to stage the unique pass annually, “We’re never going to be able to duplicate what just happened here. Let’s just preserve that moment.” He insisted that he “never had the urge. Nope. It’ll never be like that moment.”
But this whole weekend has provided another special moment for Gwynn at his home track.
Doug Kalitta, no slouch at Gainesville Raceway himself with a pair of victories here (2000, 2005) is driving the Coors Extra Gold Special tribute dragster to commemorate Gwynn’s second consecutive Gainesville victory in 1990.
“We are so glad that Darrell and Kalitta Motorsports joined forces to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his last win in Gainesville. Darrell’s contributions to our sport and now to help those with spinal cord injuries are truly remarkable,” Doug Kalitta, who owns an air ambulance service in Michigan, said. “The last time the Coors Extra Gold dragster was on the track in Gainesville it went to the winner’s circle with Darrell. We hope we can return it there again for him.”
Darrell Gwynn calls it “a home run.”
He said, “It’s touching all of our buttons,” for it draws attention not only to Gwynn’s racing performances but also the impact his foundation is making. “It’s an honor to have them represent me and Coors Extra Gold 20 years later. It brings back such great memories.
Doug Kalitta, no slouch at Gainesville Raceway himself with a pair of victories here (2000, 2005) is driving the Coors Extra Gold Special tribute dragster to commemorate Gwynn's second consecutive Gainesville victory in 1990.
Referring to team owner Connie Kalitta, Doug’s uncle, Gwynn said, “Connie’s family and mine have been friends forever.”
Connie Kalitta raced Gwynn six times in his career, and Gwynn won five times.
“I’ve moved on to a different phase of my life. It’s all about the Darrell Gwynn Foundation. For them to recognize that in this celebratory manner is an honor for me. When was the last time you ever heard of a competitor putting another competitor’s colors on their car? It’s a lot about Connie Kalitta and that whole team.”
A brief ceremony Friday before Doug Kalitta made his first qualifying pass in the tribute car reminded fans that they can sign up to participate in the NHRA-first “Walk The Track” event to raise money for the Darrell Gwynn Foundation.
“No matter what happens, it’s already a home run for us,” Gwynn said.
Then, teasingly, Gwynn said, “There’s no pressure. That Coors Extra Gold car has only raced here twice — and it has won both times. It won in 1989 and it won in 1990.”
On a more serious note, he said, “I still get the chills when I enter the gate here. I was here for the first race. I’ve missed only one Gatornationals since then. It was in 1972, when I had bad grades and my dad wouldn’t let me come.
“Coming to Gainesville brings back so many great memories,” he said. “I’ve been fortunate to win the Gatornationals three times (including his 1984 Top Alcohol Dragster victory) and runner-up some others.”
In addition to the Kalitta tribute car, a meticulously replicated 20th Anniversary Coors Extra Gold Special show version of Gwynn’s 1990 Top Fuel dragster is on display on the manufacturers midway. The show car was sold three times during the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Show at Scottsdale, Ariz., in January. Ron Pratte purchased it first, then Bill Gannon was the owner for awhile. Its final purchaser, Floridian Joe Riley, also returned it to Gwynn so it can be auctioned again next month at the West Palm Beach Barrett-Jackson Auction. The foundation’s goal is to raise $1 million through the show car, and it’s almost halfway there.
As the foundation prepares for the “Walk the Track” charity, the scene is set. Townspeople will line the track. The hot rods are in town again for the Gatornationals. And once again, Darrell Gwynn is at the center of it all.
Photography by Roger Richards.
