NHRA Icons: 5 More Legends Join the Top 75
When you think about the history of drag racing, certain names just echo a little louder than the rest. They are the ones who didn’t just race; they changed the game. As the NHRA celebrates its 75th anniversary, they’re doing something special—expanding their legendary Top 50 list from 2001 into a definitive Top 75 Drivers of all time.
NHRA Top 75 List: Newest Inductees
We’ve already seen 15 titans added to the ranks recently, and this week, the spotlight shines on five more absolute powerhouses. These aren’t just drivers with trophies. They are competitors who poured their hearts into every quarter-mile.Let’s talk about the newest NHRA Top 75 Drivers inductees: Shawn Langdon, Gary Scelzi, Jeg Coughlin Jr., Angelle Sampey, and Jeff Taylor.
Shawn Langdon: The Ultimate Versatility
If you want to talk about a driver who can drive the wheels off anything, you start with Shawn Langdon. This guy has done it all, climbing the ladder from Jr. Dragsters all the way to the pinnacle of the sport. He’s a two-time Super Comp world champ and took home the Top Fuel crown in 2013.
But what makes Langdon special isn’t just the hardware; it’s the adaptability. He’s one of only 19 drivers in history to snag wins in both Top Fuel and Funny Car. When he got the news, the emotion was palpable.
“I’m speechless,” Langdon admitted. “I was just a kid with a dream to race cars… sometimes I look back and don’t know how I got here.” That’s the kind of humility you love to see from a guy who stands shoulder-to-shoulder with giants like Garlits and Kalitta.
Gary Scelzi: The Nitro King
Gary Scelzi didn’t just enter the nitro scene in 1997; he kicked the door down. He’s a 43-time national event winner, but the stats that really blow your mind are the championships. He grabbed three in Top Fuel and then just to prove a point, added a Funny Car title in 2005. Scelzi is the only driver to ever win in both nitro classes and both Top Alcohol classes. That is dominance, plain and simple.
Hearing him talk about this honor hits you right in the feels. He recalled being a 10-year-old kid reading “National Dragster” on his bed, dreaming of racing his heroes. “I wanted to race people like Kenny Bernstein and John Force… and I got to do that, too, and actually beat them.” Living the dream, indeed.
Jeg Coughlin Jr.: The Natural
They call him “The Natural” for a reason. Jeg Coughlin Jr. makes it look easy, even when the pressure is boiling over. With 88 career wins and five Pro Stock championships, his resume speaks for itself. He’s also the first driver to grab wins in seven different categories.
For Jeg, this isn’t a solo award; it’s a family affair. “I say ‘we’ because it’s not just me behind the wheel,” he said, reflecting on growing up doing burnouts with his shoes and dropping oil pans with his brother. From his first win in Columbus in 1990 to this moment, his love for the sport hasn’t faded a bit.
Angelle Sampey: Breaking Barriers
Angelle Sampey didn’t just participate. She dominated. A three-time Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion with 47 national wins, she shattered expectations and broke barriers for women in motorsports.
Looking back on a nearly 30-year career, Sampey was quick to credit the people in her corner. “I had no idea what my future held,” she said. “It wasn’t without challenges… but I can assure you that every sacrifice was worth it.” And seeing her expand into Top Alcohol Dragster recently? She’s not done yet.
Jeff Taylor: The Sportsman Hero
You can’t write the history of Sportsman racing without a massive chapter dedicated to Jeff Taylor. We’re talking four world championships spanning decades—Stock in ’81, Super Stock in ’88 and ’91, and Comp eliminator in 2005 and again in 2025.
When he heard the news, he was floored. He shared a touching story about seeing his hero, Bobby Warren, recently. “For a guy that’s nearing the end of his driving career, this is unbelievable,” Taylor said. It’s a fitting capstone for a guy who has been winning since before some of his competitors were born.
Only Five Spots Left
With five more spots left to reveal next week, the NHRA Top 75 Drivers list is shaping up to be the ultimate hall of fame for the sport we love. Who will be next? Only time will tell, so stay tuned.
