Photos: Hot Wheels races at Tucson Dragway
It's a showdown at Tucson Dragway! The nitro-burning and jet-fueled monsters of the midway! But wait, no ear protection needed at THIS race? No alcohol burn in the throat? That's because it's a Hot Wheels race. Tucson Dragway has parked the full-sized fun due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. But that doesn't stop them from a pint-sized race each week.
The Star's Ryan Finley writes, "(Track manager Matt) DeYoung, a onetime freelance photographer now running the track, uses iMovie software to turn each 6-or-7-second race into a slick production. Three iPhones film each race from different angles, often in slow motion. Alan Reinhart, “The Voice of NHRA” and a longtime Tucson resident, calls the races."
Hot Wheels races at Tucson Dragway
A Hemi 1968 Dart, left, just noses out an all-wheel drive Mazda pickup in the championship of an eight car flight, one of the morning's races at the Scaled Down Tucson Dragway, May 14, 2020, Tucson, Ariz. With COVID19 restrictions keepig the full-scale track shut down, the Dragway is staging races using hundreds of Hot Wheels cars to fill the gaps.
Hot Wheels races at Tucson Dragway
Track manger, Matt DeYoung, left, reruns the video as the voice of the NHRA Alan Reinhart adds commentary on a photo finish during racing at the Scaled Down Tucson Dragway, May 14, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Hot Wheels races at Tucson Dragway
A '55 Chevy gasser leaves the track almost form the start, during a heat at the Scaled Down Tucson Dragway, May 14, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Hot Wheels races at Tucson Dragway
Track manager Matt DeYoung, left, gets video of the line-up of cars while voice of the NHRA Alan Reinhart provides color, before the start of racing at the Scaled Down Tucson Dragway, May 14, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Hot Wheels races at Tucson Dragway
Fred Bilbrey launches a pair of cars using the jury-rigged starter to get an even jump out of the blocks during racing at the Scaled Down Tucson Dragway, May 14, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Hot Wheels races at Tucson Dragway
A cell phone and a C-clamp provide the finish line camera for the neck-and-neck races at the Scaled Down Tucson Dragway, May 14, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Hot Wheels races at Tucson Dragway
The rescue vehicles come out after a Butterfinger Chevelle eats it right out of the gate during racing at the Scaled Down Tucson Dragway, May 14, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Hot Wheels races at Tucson Dragway
Matt DeYoung gets cell phone video of the competitors lined up for the day's racing at the Scaled Down Tucson Dragway, May 14, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Hot Wheels races at Tucson Dragway
Alan Reinhart uses the window light to read the info stamped onto one of the Hot Wheels cars being readied for a race at the Scaled Down Tucson Dragway, May 14, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Hot Wheels races at Tucson Dragway
Matt DeYoung sprinkles absorbent on the track after an "accident" left oil on the track following a crash at the Scaled Down Tucson Dragway, May 14, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Hot Wheels races at Tucson Dragway
A few of the hundreds of cars on hand and available for racing at the Scaled Down Tucson Dragway, May 14, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Hot Wheels races at Tucson Dragway
Track manger Matt DeYoung gets footage of a champion in front of the mock-up of the real Tucson Dragway's stands during racing at the Scaled Down Tucson Dragway, May 14, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
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