How To Drive A Top Fuel Car

How to drive a Top Fuel Dragster. #driving #nitro #hemi #racing #how
Big Thanks To
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[@MrGaryjames1]

50 years of wondering explained in just under 11 minutes thank you clay.

[@ericzikmanis6116]

Agreed

[@xs-1b415]

😂

[@romes19]

Not that long but same lol

[@NovemberFoxtrotRC]

30 years of wondering how long the throttle pedal throw was finally answered. Try to find a video on that subject on KZbin lol.

[@jimthompson129]

Ditto!!

[@papaburf7275]

Hands down the best explanation any of us viewers have likely ever seen. "and now you can drive a top fuel car too" I love your enthusiasm about us keyboard drivers!!!! Thanks so much for sharing.

[@durango8882]

Agree 💯 %

[@scottburrow8717]

Clay you are amazing in the way you let your fans “US” see what you do in your top fuel car. I have been following NHRA for a lot of years and nobody has ever done that before that I have seen we appreciate your videos more than you know thanks Clay.

[@CreativeScalpsUSA503]

I’ve been watching drag race since 1974. I’ve met a lot of the best drivers in the world and that is the absolute best explanation I’ve ever heard. Thank you so much that was awesome.

[@roywoodhurst7764]

Easiest way to drive a top fuel car…hire Clay! You’re the best

[@roywoodhurst7764]

You’re so good at the top fuel car I’m willing to bet it required a lot more thought to explain than it is to do. Thank you for taking the time to do that!

[@baizeoglory8214]

Thank you sir! I’ve been a fan of these for over 30 years and never knew how all this worked! Awesome! We’re so fortunate to have you on the KZbins 🤘

[@randyporter3491]

Absolutely the very best explanation and demonstration ever filmed on this. This is something that EVERY fan has wondered and now explained by one of the best drivers of all time. Thanks Clay for taking the time and sharing this with us !

[@jonson0721]

I always like watching you jump out of the car and there is no one else around……THAT’S FAST!!!

[@Bricklinsv1970]

He gets the coolest guy on the planet award.

[@deanwharepapa8561]

Thank you Clay, for the inside of how to stage and make a run

[@1AMERICANWORKER]

WOW!! What a difference 50 years makes. I bought a 130 inch Woody Gilmore car from Sammy Miller in 1972. I was moving up from modified production and really needed help with the learning curve. We set up the car to run B/FD in Pro Comp Eliminator with Sammy's help. Back then we only had a fuel shutoff, clutch pedal, steering wheel (the only thing in my car that looks like yours.), hand brake, loud pedal. chute release and an oil pressure gauge. When I asked Sammy why just oil pressure he answered me in typical Sammy Miller fashion, " That's all you need to know. If the motor makes a funny noise, you glance at the O.P., if it's at 0, DUCK!!"

[@brianiswrong]

Over here in 🇬🇧 we took an instant love to slamming Sammy miller when he was doing demo passes of vanishing point an oxygen rocket cars. He seemed very at ease with himself (not something alot of racers are) and did a very good Donald duck impression. It's was a sad day when I learnt of his passing, but I believe he lived one heck of a life. 👍

[@steveeddy6876]

If it's at 0 Duck! Ha Ha Ha 😆

[@FromMyEyesToYours]

Just the mention of the old B-fuel dragster class brought me a melancholy smile :-)

[@mikemulvany3325]

🤣

[@WineHouse33]

Sammy Miller is the forgotten GOAT. 3.22 @402mph, with an actual 1/4 mile measure. Not the useless 1000ft measure of todays Karen culture.

[@wideslammer]

Very interesting video. I've always enjoyed seeing you interviewed on the NHRA telecasts, but let me tell you what prompted me to subscribe to your channel so I could spend more time with you. (1.) Despite the disappointment you must have felt after losing in the final round to Mike Salinas in Phoenix, you were your typical positive self congratulating the Scrappers crew and Mike. (2.) You gave 1320 Video and Kevin Smith (KSR Performance and Fabrication) almost unlimited access to yourself as well as your crew and pit area during a busy race weekend. I've got a bunch of your older videos to go back and watch since you're now "my driver." On a final note, while recognizing that I was plenty late in joining your channel, I'm really surprised that you have "only" 35,000+ subscribers to your channel. I don't subscribe to any other professional drag racers channel so I don't know how that compares to others, but I hope others will join me in becoming part of the Clay Millican team.

[@robertpatterson8379]

Hes the bomb.

[@BrickNewton]

I found this channel through Kevin at KSR, when Kevin went to see him the first? time

[@larrrs3]

Another great video. All these years watching NHRA never knew how involved it is to send a top fuel car down the track. I've gained a whole new respect for what you and your team do for that 3.6 seconds your foot is on that loud pedal. Good luck I'll be watching now that I know the sequence to launch you car.

[@mattychamberlin]

Awesome explanation. Thank you Clay. You have a great KZbin channel

[@Bradenclutterbuck]

47years old and never have I ever seen somebody explain something that happens SO DAMN FAST, so bloody well! Perfect job Clay. All the best for your ‘24 season and please keep STOMPING THAT LOUD PEDAL BRO!

[@CourtnRob]

Thanks for taking the time to do this! Was very informative!

[@danielmorskijr411]

I stood next to John Force's funny car at Indy in 1994. It was the most amazing experience to that point. Everyone should experience Top Fuel in their life. There really isn't anything else like it.

[@odoylemccrackin877]

It's like you are from the future and you are an astronaut when you race❗That was so informative and AWESOME ❗Thank you Mr. Millican. 🙂

[@tommiller8714]

Great video! Very informative and very interesting; I didn't know what was involved in piloting these 11,000hp 4wheel missiles. A 3.6-something seconds pass with trap speed around or greater than 330mph! Amazing just to keep one of these engines together under full throttle for 4 seconds; absolutely awesome. You make it look easier than it is, obviously perfect muscle memory, knowledge and experience. Just like flying aircraft, knowing emergency procedures and how to handle one of these beasts when things go south, sideways, etc. on a run is where the experience shines. Thanks for making this video!

[@davekreitzer4358]

Great video Clay, thanks for sharing ! 😎

[@interceptor4728]

Thanks for that, always wondered what was going on inside the cockpit

[@examiner0078]

Clay you are the MAN. Thank you so much for explaining what you do. You make it look easy sir. Stay safe and keep mashin that Loud Pedal !!! 😁. Partsplusalltheway.

[@northvalleyroad4570]

What a great video Clay..I crewed an a TF car many years ago before all this technology...but you still have to drive it.... Great memories..really takes me back....the car belonged to a man named Dick Vest from Dayton ohio....Thx

[@advorsky1]

Mr. Millican Thank You for an in-depth look at a pass in a Top Fuel car! You sir are amazing and your team is as good as they come!!

[@hommie789]

Clay, you forgot the part where when you launch you compress into the seat and almost black out and then at the end you throw the chutes and are thrown into the belts with even more force than that launch. Awesome explanation, thank you,

[@DodgyBrothersEngineering]

think you got that impression when he gestured moving forward so much at the end of the imaginary run. The amount he moved forward indicated that there is a huge amount of G's being placed on the body at that speed. That is the only part of the run I could imagine... I once made the mistake of sitting up on my bike at 160mph on the highway (didn't feel like I was going all that fast), and nearly blew myself of the back of my bike (just held on with my finger tips), could imagine that is what it feels like in reverse.

[@hommie789]

@@DodgyBrothersEngineering No I have driven many many fast cars over 35 years on the track and also a dream drive in Larry Dixon's Nitro X2. The G's experienced at the starting line are not even the most of the run, it is actually about the 330' mark when the clutches lock up. But the g-force experienced when the chutes deploy are so much more, like eye sight starts to go black type of g force. I used to have a gsxr 1K7 and rode it to 307 so I know the force you are talking about but believe it or not, that is nothing compared to the kick in the ass of one of these and the sledgehammer in the chest when those chutes deploy.

[@DodgyBrothersEngineering]

@@hommie789 I have been in and owned some seriously fast cars (cars you couldn't reach forward to grab the dash), but I still can't even imagine what a top fuel experience would be like because 1G+ is going to be nothing like 7G's they say top fuel experience on take off. Can only imagine that would feel like someone sitting a car on your chest. I can sort of imagine it, but I bet if I ever got a go in one, it would be so much more than I can possible imagine. But even the thought of it brings a smile to my face, and my butt pucker.

[@DodgyBrothersEngineering]

@@hommie789 interesting thought about about the braking... Did it seem so severe because of the direction of force? When you are accelerating you have the entire back of the seat to spread the load of your body against, so the pounds per square inch would be nothing like when the chute comes out, because under deceleration you only have a few small straps to stop the mass of your body. So the pounds per square inch would be much higher even if there weren't as many G's.

[@keithwilkins5387]

That was an amazing step by step how you drive the car. I have never seen it that good before. Thank you Sir!!

[@HardlyRavinSon]

And BAM! you're off, at which point my stomach still somersaulted!!! I'll leave the driving to you guys! Brilliant video, saved to watch again and again.

[@Eric-nd3mn]

This stuff is great. Thank you

[@Ronaldl2350]

Thank you for bringing us behind the scenes of what it takes to run one of these monsters. Man that's violent when it starts up and blasts down the track.

[@100ccSuperRat]

awesome walk through video thanks for sharing, lot more details to manage than I thought.

[@midbc1midbc199]

I want to drive a work vehicle the same as Clay does.......that is totally on my bucket list of things to do and I would put it at the top right now

[@jeffsmall4947]

Being a big fan of NHRA drag racing , this was very cool . Learned things about a run that I never knew before . Awesome job Clay .

[@texxasal]

Thank you, sir. I've been around this sport for a very long time (when the Greek's hair was really "GOLD"), and Connie was driving. This is the most informative 10 1/2 minutes of video I've ever seen about a Top Fuel Car. Thanks again.

[@glenscheible]

Thanks for the ride. You and your Crew are awesome. Stay safe or as safe as you can with one of those Beasts.

[@jimbristow900]

Another great video Clay!!! Thanks for the insight for driving a Top Fuel dragster! Stomp on the Loud Pedal!!! Best of luck next weekend!

[@garywoods797]

Clay, what a truly nice guy. Super focused, super professional and super fast! He really wants us, the fans to be part of the top fuel experience. I have been a fan of all sorts of drag racing for 45 years, but top fuel is the daddy!

[@dougtexas]

Always love the behind-the-scenes videos! This is one of my favorites. You've always shown us the nitty-gritty behind making that bad ass machine do it's amazing stuff! Thanks!!

[@BillMeyerComm]

Thank you Clay I've always wondered how it was to step on the loud pedal in a top fuel car! I'm ready, let's go...

[@joeszabo4237]

Outstanding Clay!!! Great job!! Thanks.

[@larsaugust1469]

Thank you so much for making this video! What a fantastic insight into the magic of top fuel racing. Can't wait to see more updates to all your projects and more racing!

[@danagibbons9643]

Great explanation Clay. So cool to see what goes on behind the scenes !!

[@JustJeff420]

Absolutely incredible!!! Thank you!!!

[@clintharding2149]

Thanks for sharing Clay. Very informative.

[@Mike-xt2ot]

I appreciate you so much for showing this. I shared with many friends because we had no idea how busy you are in the cockpit. Wow. That is a job!

[@jimc.7121]

Wow! Thank you, Clay. Great, informative video. That's the next best thing to being in the driver's seat. I appreciate how articulate you are and your willingness to share this very cool information with your fans and top fuel enthusiasts.

[@buddhavb3616]

Just awesome machines, crews and drivers. Thanks for showing us what goes on with you Clay.

[@scotttaylor4195]

Thanks Clay. Been a fan for many years but really hooked for the past 10 years . Thanks for taking the time to explain some of the details. Did a great job talking to us newbees

[@adamcasey4184]

I love these types of videos! Thank you and your team for sharing so much info with the us. Keep up the great work and I hope to see you, and your team turn all four win lights on soon! 🤙 Adam

[@Cat10980]

Brilliant video Clay (as always). Really well put together with the explanations and the video of the run! Good way to illustrate what you're doing in the car! Keep up the great work.

[@Rare_Brad]

That was amazing Clay. So much to do in such a short period of time. Thank you very much for sharing.

[@japatty2000]

Great stuff Clay, thanks for the ride-along!!

[@johannviljoen64]

Nice one, and you do a large very important part of all that in just a few seconds, at great speed, takes some doing that's for sure! Enjoyed that Clay, always good entertainment on your channel!

[@andybecker8]

Absolutely love your Chanel Mr. Clay everything you put into, showing / telling / explaining to us, the inside look into the NHRA Nitro class is amazing and top notch team you have from bottom to top! Briefly had the pleasure of speaking to you and Mr. Mike at Gainesville y’all are an example of what true teamwork is all about! #stomponthatloudpedal

[@jtfrick4438]

You are the man Clay! Thanks for the ride brother! Stay safe and God bless you always! 🙏

[@leafflowerbud4345]

Thank you! I’ve been watching for 2 years now, learning so much about your world. So cool.

[@chrisobrien9334]

Thanks heaps for that clay. It’s all happening incredibly fast mate. Good luck with your future. I live in Victor Harbor South Australia 🇦🇺. We are getting a new drag strip built at The Bend which is so good. We’ve been without one for over 10yrs. Can’t wait to see Top Fuel again and race my street car Thanks mate

[@howardlaunius7484]

Thanks Clay, this was a very educational video on what goes on in a TF car from start to finish.

[@tropicrows]

Clay, that's a fantastic insight on what you do. Great video. Cant wait to see more. 😊😊

[@jasoncornish2561]

Thanks Clay that was fascinating. I've been watching top fuel on you tube for a few months and am now a fan because of your channel. Huge respect to you! Hope i get to see an actual race one day 🙏

[@griffhance5904]

Thanks Clay for the awesome content you put out, I’ve learned more since becoming a subscriber then all my years watching racing on the TV. See you in Richmond!

[@7080nik]

Thanks Clay!! Im coming for your job now!! BTW, awesome video. NHRA Drag racing needs more like you. There is just not enough exposure anymore. Its like its top secret. I remember when I was a kid, I could get drag racing posters, stickers, etc. everywhere and there were more races in town. I am from the Motor City. You would think NHRA would at least come to Michigan!

[@Eubanksproductions]

Thank you for taking the time to explain the experience in one of these incredible machines Clay.

[@mrussokmbs]

Awesome video Clay. Thank you for the insight on how complex it is to pilot a rocket going horizontally! A few years back I got to sit in the cockpit of Jack Beckman's Infinite Hero funny car after Friday night qualifying and he went through a lot of the same details too (under the very watchful eye of Terry Chandler RIP). Complete respect for what you all do in there. Thanks for sharing and hopefully see you at Reading!

[@jamesgargan4679]

HEY CLAY 🤘🏼 love the insider content of too fuel racing no channel around like it love your work can see your a real genuine team and also really care about the fans just as much as the racing ! I just have one technical question, some teams run a enclose cockpit and other don’t ! With you being one of those teams still running an open cockpit is there any aero disadvantages in being open at those high speeds and short amount of time ?, and what’s your reasoning for staying with and open cockpit? All I can think and see is that you feel safer with and open one so that if any thing goes wrong and you need to exit the car there’s no obstructions or any extra movements or process you have to take to exit the car fast and safely ? Oh and one last thing “STOMP ON THAT LOUD PEDDLE” 🤘🏼

[@jamessammann9183]

Wow ..that is intense..Clay . Thank 4 video

[@bobbeazley2502]

Awesome in DETAIL on what goes on inside the cockpit of your TF! 👍💪🔥

[@veto8792]

Man during a race, there’s a lot more goin on inside the cockpit than I thought. Didn’t realize you had a hand brake instead of a foot brake. Thanks Clay.

[@danielslaven2828]

Thanks for that I've been wondering for years what exactly that hand brake movement just before the load pedal is pushed hell wasn't sure if dragsters had a regular gas pedal or like a handle 🤔 😀 😉 thank ya brother Clay

[@Lizzyluau]

Thank yoi sir! Been a fan of yours since IHRA days- Rockingham :) I appreciate how you take time to talk to people and answer questions!

[@jayer-su3hu]

Gotta say this is one of the best how to videos on this subject I've ever seen. He really goes into detail step by step. Bad ass

[@brettdietrich698]

Perfect timing, I was just wondering about this when I woke up. Does your extended family ever come and watch you race? It would be cool to see their reactions.

[@brandonstone6962]

This very topic has given me so much anxiety over the last month or 2 so thank you for making this video.. My only other suggestion is if you could make a detailed video of how to get in and out of the car would be awesome.. I know it is something very simple but I am hoping to be able to get into one either next season or at some point in my racing career because I will be with any luck achieving my NHRA license this next month so any help with the small things would be GREATLY appreciated

[@michaelhalsall5684]

What NHRA class are you racing in?

[@johnwelch2084]

Clay you have become my favorite driver!!! I’m 53 years old, I grew up watching NHRA drag racing and never knew exactly what was going on in a Top Fuel dragster!! Thanks for a great tour of just what goes on in there!!!!

[@dave_s_vids]

That was utterly fascinating - thank you!

[@fremountstsongsrich2453]

Clay Thank you so much for the vid Awesome!!! What is that button knob on the steering wheel your left side do??? I have wondered for years how you drive one. Thank you again!!!!!!! Best of luck this year!!!!! God Bless you and All the crew!!!!!

[@brianiswrong]

Is it the " oh shit " button, that cuts the fuel and dumps the chutes if you don't have time to take a hand off the wheel.?

[@ccccpa]

Awesome explanation - I always thought you only stepped on the gas 😂 Can you explain why your helmet seems to have blinders on it in a future video? Thank you!

[@slowpoke96Z28]

if he doesn't get a chance to make a video about it, let me know.

[@badass84bowtie]

Very good descriptive walk thru. Thanks for sharing!

[@anthonyfuller1117]

Fantastic run down on how to drive a Top Fueler. That was so good to watch. Thank you!

[@voodoobluetaco]

so the sound change tone on the line is that from the fuel flow or the clutch? Ive always noticed it sounds different on the starting line during pre-stage/stage. almost gets quieter.

[@kevin666b]

when i was a kid i seen one of these in person for the first time and ill never forget it. any idea what kind of power the engine actually makes running off normal pump gas?

[@slowpoke96Z28]

there is a video on KZbin or FB where they dyno one on gasoline. it sounds so eerie.

[@juliem1595]

That was awesome! So good of you to do that for all of us. Thank you

[@wythetrumpet6419]

Clay that was a super video! After watching you guys run for all these years, I always wondered what the driver had to do to make it all happen! Thank you for the great video! 👍💨

[@paulcummings1566]

Fantastic insight of a drag racer. Brilliant.

[@jackiehopwood8693]

Clay, that was the best video of how you drive the Top Fuel Dragster! Well done, so informative, letting us know exactly how it's done. Great Job!

[@Todd_S]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing this Clay!

[@justinbritt5116]

Clay is my drag racing hero! I’ve watched this video probably a few hundred times, and never get tired of it, cause it’s spot on education! Thanks Clay!

[@murrayadam8576]

Well done video and I thank you for passing on some knowledge of a the rare craft of driving a TF Dragster. Big Thumbs Up!!

[@AmericanPatriot014]

Wow....Thank you so much. Been a big fan of Top Fuel since '76. Learned a lot from you. Thanks!!

[@AceNinja2112]

Thank you Clay for making this video!!! A lot more goes into driving one of these than the average fan is aware of!!!

[@mavx3623]

Awesome video and even better dude at the track. Thanks Clay

[@dellydelly7759]

So awesome to get the complete view of everything that it takes to run a top fuel car.Now I don't have to wonder about everything that goes on in a TF car. Thank you!!!

[@allenbeaulieu7077]

Been watching top fuel and funny cars for almost 60 years and this is the first time I have ever seen it done. Thank you so much Clay, continued success to you. Big Al.

[@Pappaoh]

Fantastic vid! I've gotten so used to all the posturing and stalling at the tree that I forgot what an experience it must be to pilot such a machine. Really enjoyed this. Thanks for sharing!

[@hotmetaldude]

Perfect Clay. I too always wanted to understand what you go through. Great!

[@shvrdavid]

Awesome walk thru Clay. The fact that you don't use throttle and clutch stops is simply amazing to me. It is a testament to your skill as a driver and the teams setup on the car.

[@dr.arikgreenberg25]

Thank you, Sir. This was fascinating! What a gentleman!

[@user-zz9vt5mc4n]

WELL described , Clay--easy to understand--easy to follow --and informative--THANK YOU, Clay

[@wayner7111]

I,ve been going to drag races for over sixty years and this is the first time I've learned how all this prep for a run and the run itself actually happens. Thank so very much Clay.

[@BH530711]

Extraordinarily well done. Explanations straightforward and thorough - and delivered in a friendly manner. Objective achieved - I definitely have a better idea about the sequence of events throughout the run. Thanks, Clay! 🙌🏻

[@cotton-Dave]

Thanks for this video! I first experienced funny cars at Moroso raceway in Palm Beach County, Florida in the late sixties/early seventies. Right now, even, I don't know the difference between a funny car and a Top Fuel Dragster. But I DO KNOW what excites me! I've never had a "look" inside one of these vehicles before, and so I am so thrilled that you gave us this view!! WOW!! I have a TON more respect for all of you guys/gals? throwing these monsters down the track.