Indianapolis, Indiana, is best known for the Brickyard and its famous races like the Indy 500 and, for a short time, the recent Formula One race, but there's another track in the area that deserves attention. That place is O'Reilly Raceway Park (ORP), and gearheads have been drag racing there for nearly 50 years. It does not get the press that the Brickyard enjoys, and it'll never host a quarter million fans, but it has something the other track lost a long time ago: grassroots real-deal racing. While the Brickyard is for spectators, ORP is for drivers who live for the smell of burning race gas and melted rubber.
Wheel standers, jet cars, and nitro coupes put on displays of raw power throughout the day. Nonetheless, our favorite part is the bracket classes where regular guys come to race, have fun, and hopefully win enough cash to cover their weekend, or buy a few more go-fast goodies. Hanging out in the pits is a great way to learn smart tips and tricks from the other racers and to glean which parts combos are the hot tickets. There's no better way to get the 411 on which parts are best.
Of the bracket classes, the DOT class is the coolest. Not because those cars are the fastest, but because that class is the most accessible. Everything from old musclecars to brand-new trucks can run in this class. It's a great way for drag strip newbies to get involved, and try their luck down the 1320. And for the winners, there's quite a bit of cash available. Run the right parts with the right stickers in place, and there's even more cash up for grabs in the way of contingency awards. Even if you don't win a dime, it's still a blast, and beats the hell out of doing chores around the house.
Still, the Super Chevy Show is more than just racing. There's enough automotive-related goodness to result in sensory overload. There's a car show with hundreds of shined-up rides on display and a used parts swap meet that goes on for miles. Also on site is a car corral where you can buy anything from finished musclecars to your next project car. If you can't find something to enjoy at a Super Chevy Show, then maybe you should look into a new hobby.
 The Super Chevy Show has something...  The Super Chevy Show has something for everyone, including a huge show and shine. |  |  Creating a carbon footprint...  Creating a carbon footprint the size of Big Foot, racers roast their tires in preparation for their launches down O'Reilly Raceway's quarter-mile drag strip |
 Nothing is cooler than a big...  Nothing is cooler than a big car that hauls ass, and hometown racer Tim Mitchell agrees. |  Richard Forrest drove all...  Richard Forrest drove all the way from his home in West Jefferson, OH, to spend the weekend racing. |  The Super Chevy Show combines...  The Super Chevy Show combines racing competition with internal combustion entertainment. |
 Want to build a race car on...  Want to build a race car on the cheap? Then hit one of these events and wander through the pit area for smoking deals on everything from turnkey cars to barely used speed parts. |  We have a soft spot for Chevelles,...  We have a soft spot for Chevelles, and one of our favorites in the DOT class was Lynn Zandbergen's '70 Chevelle. |  While not the fastest cars...  While not the fastest cars of the day, the DOT class is our favorite, with real street cars that don't require a pit crew or a fat wallet to race. |
 When the nitro coupes fire...  When the nitro coupes fire up, there's no ignoring them. |  When Mark Micke isn't busy...  When Mark Micke isn't busy flogging his Pro Mod '68 Camaro, he's running M&M transmission in Jefferson, MO. |  We found Gerald Ingle adjusting...  We found Gerald Ingle adjusting two-tenths off his dial-in as he prepared for the fifth round of DOT eliminations. |
 We caught Melissa Pasley and...  We caught Melissa Pasley and Amanda VanHonburg, both from Illinois, wandering through the car show corral. |  The noise police in California...  The noise police in California would never allow this, but thankfully we're in Indy, where loud noises are actually encouraged. |  In the car show area, we found...  In the car show area, we found this super cool '72 Monte Carlo NASCAR replica. |
 In addition to the drag racing,...  In addition to the drag racing, car show, and manufacturers midway, there was a huge used parts swap meet. |  Like us, J.J. Wilder hails...  Like us, J.J. Wilder hails from Southern California. |  |
 Jonathan Arnold didn't spend...  Jonathan Arnold didn't spend a ton of cash on his '84 Camaro, but that doesn't mean it can't perform. |  ProCharger was at the event...  ProCharger was at the event in force, showing off its high-powered wares. |  David Locke of Greenwood,...  David Locke of Greenwood, IN, launches hard in his '71 Nova during the second round of the DOT eliminations. |
 GM Performance Parts had a...  GM Performance Parts had a huge display at the show that included a half dozen killer rides and a display of some of the General's more famous engines. |  PHR alumnus ("Radio Delete,"...  PHR alumnus ("Radio Delete," November '06) Jeff Robinson made it to the sixth round of DOT in his '71 Camaro before tripping the red light. |  It was definitely worth the...  It was definitely worth the drive from Delphos, OH, for Dan Wilhelm. |
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