Recently Drag Racing Legend Don “The Snake” Prudhomme and Drag & Drive Icon Alex Taylor made a trip to Radford Racing School to earn their NHRA Street Legal 9 Second License at Firebird Motorsports Park.
The NHRA Street Legal License was designed to allow a new level of competition amongst our racers that routinely attend Street Legal Programs at their local NHRA Member Tracks. This program has continued to grow over the years as Manufactures continue to increase both Horsepower and Safety of their hot rods that customers can purchase right from the dealership.
Radford Racing School and NHRA teamed up to make this unique experience happen at Firebird Motorsports Park in Chandler, Arizona. Snake and Taylor arrived at the track to a surprise from the team at Radford, the Dodge Demon 170 that they each would be running for the day had special branding on the cars for each of them. Snake’s 170 had his name on the side, his TF Number (712) on the car and the classic Snake icon on the hood. Taylor’s car had her name on it and her Alex Taylor Racing Logo branded on the car.
“I have been able to photograph and capture a lot of special moments in Alex’s racing career, but our time at Radford is definitely towards the top of that list. Watching a legend, Don the Snake Prudhomme, bond with Alex throughout the day as they learned to drive the Demon 170s was and work towards the NHRA Street Legal License together was such a cool experience. The amount of laughs they shared was the best thing to photograph. We were able to spend a lot of time talking to and learning about his career, which was absolutely priceless. The Radford team themselves were also great to work with. It was my first time seeing the school and how one of their classes work, and I was beyond impressed! I have always been behind the scenes when it comes to racing, but I would actually love to go one of their classes myself and learn through their school! It was an unbelievable experience overall and I’m so glad I was able to document it.” -Megan Taylor
Once morning introductions were completed and the entire team was set to capture and witness history Snake and Alex jumped in their cars with Radford Instructors. Clearly, neither of these racers are unfamiliar with drag racing or fast cars but as they both stated these 170’s are absolutely different beasts then they are used too. After getting some hands on instruction, learning the ins and outs of the cars and making some test launches and of course burnouts Prudhomme and Taylor were ready to hit the track.
“Having this opportunity to work with a Legend (Snake) that I grew up looking up too and Alex, who I respect for the positive ambassador she is for our sport. This was an experience that I never thought I would get.”-Matt DeYoung
In the true gentleman’s sprint that is Snake he let Alex go first and get a pass under her belt. The instructors had radios placed in the cars to communicate with them as needed. Snake was up next and made his pass down the track as if he never retired.
“Staging and Licensing in my Fuel Car was simpler than that, there is so much technology in these cars it is incredible. What a blast!” Says Prudhomme after making his first pass in the Demon 170. "I am happier getting this than my Top Fuel license!"
Both Snake and Alex did great on track and earned their NHRA Street Legal Licenses that day in Radford Racing School’s Course. Radford and NHRA officials were impressed with Prudhomme and Alex’s performance on track, both made the qualifying passes to earn their 9 Second NHRA Street Legal License and Chuck Sundstrom, Radford Racing School General Manager and NHRA Pacific Division Director Matt DeYoung presented them with their licenses.
“Every time we have students for a drag class it is always a memorable experience for me, but this class is that to an extreme. Spending the day with Don Prudhomme and Alex Taylor. Being able to instruct them and learn from them at the same time. Being involved in the interaction between the two of them and our instructors. Seeing the excitement and enjoyment on their faces. Being able to have both of them make 9 second passes in our Dodge Demons and then present them with their NHRA Street Legal Licenses. A surreal day surrounded with amazing people that I will cherish and never forget.” -Chuck Sundstrom
Throughout Don Prudhomme’s Career both as a racer and as a team owner he only signed off on a couple NHRA Competition Licenses, but on this day he added one more, he signed Alex’s License Paperwork that get’s submitted to NHRA. He also asked that Alex sign his paperwork. What a way to end a great day at the track with two incredible racers and ambassadors for our sport.
“It’s hard to have a bad day at Radford no matter what the occasion is. But, if you mix in a day at the drag strip with a Legend earning his NHRA Street Legal license along side you, I think it’s impossible! Having the chance to learn to operate a Demon 170 and easily lay down a couple mid-9 second passes out of the box along side Don “The Snake” Prudhomme isn’t something I had on my radar this year, but I’m so glad and thankful I had the opportunity to have this experience. Don is a class act full of legendary stories. We earned out licenses together, swapped learning experiences and racing stories, and just had a great time all around with the Radford team! Thanks Radford for the hospitality and I can’t wait to share the content with everyone that we were able to capture during our day of Rad experiences.” -Alex Taylor
Check out the full video on Alex Taylor’s YouTube using the link below! If you want to earn your NHRA Street Legal License find your local NHRA Member Track or check out this link here.
Photos by: Megan Taylor
Comments