The NHRA US Nationals began in Great Bend, Kansas, in 1955 as the first NHRA national event. After several relocations, the race found its permanent home at Indianapolis Raceway Park in 1961, earning the nickname “The Big Go.” This prestigious event remains the longest-running and most important drag race, attracting top competitors from around the world to Indiana each year.
At the 1979 25th Anniversary NHRA U.S. Nationals, drag racing legend “Big Daddy” Don Garlits made a bold prediction during Thursday evening’s Car Craft All-Star Banquet. After receiving a trophy and standing ovation, the 47-year-old racer declared, “This will probably be the greatest drag race in the history of our sport!”
Whether Gordie Bonin heard those prophetic words, we’ll never know. But at that same race, Bonin drove the Bubble Up Funny Car to victory in the Funny Car class. His crew chief Jerry Verheul and Ron Hodgson brought the Pacemaker Trans Am into Craiger’s exclusive five-second funny car club with a 5.97 ET, placing fourth behind Don “Snake” Prudhomme, Beadle and Foster. Bonin also set a national speed record of 245.90 mph, earning him the nickname “240 Gordie.”
History Repeats Itself
Fast forward 46 years to the 71st annual NHRA U.S. Nationals (August 27 to September 1, 2025), and history attempted to repeat itself. Four generations later, the Pacemaker Bubble Up Funny Car franchise returned to Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
Ron Hodgson, who helped “240 Gordie” reach the winner’s podium in 1979, aimed to recapture that same glory. This time competing in the Legends Nitro Funny Car series with his son Ryan as crew chief and Nathan Sitko behind the wheel of the Pacemaker Bubble Up Funny Car.
“240” Gordie Bonin 1979 NHRA U.S. Nationals
Road to Victory
After qualifying fifth with a 4.802 ET at 235.56 mph, Sitko entered eliminations ready for battle.
Round 1: Sitko dominated from the right lane, running 4.773 ET at 237.17 mph to defeat Todd Miller’s 4.997 ET at 179.64 mph.
Semi-finals: Moving to the left lane, Sitko stayed consistent through the finish line with a 4.782 ET at 233.96 mph, capturing the win over Geoff Monise
Finals: The 2025 Pacemaker Bubble Up team faced Jon Capps with cautious optimism. Capps had lane choice, but Sitko got the better launch and pulled away early. Capps hit the throttle, went up in smoke, pedaled a few times, and eventually gave up on the run.
Nathan Sitko crossed the finish line for a historic win at “The Big Go,” running 4.757 ET at 235.15 mph bringing the Pacemaker Bubble Up franchise full circle with Legends Funny Car Title.
“What an incredible weekend! Thank you to all our sponsors, our crew, and most of all, our families that support us,” said Nathan Sitko after winning this past weekend.
His victory echoed a famous moment from the 1979 U.S. Nationals. After winning the Funny Car Eliminator, Gordie Bonnin told interviewer Steve Evans, “He’s ‘the Snake’ [Don Prudhomme], you know, we have to sneak up on him.” Bonin had qualified number two and set a national speed record, though the ET record went to Prudhomme.
Pacemaker Bubble Funny Car – Legends Funny Car Championship 2025 NHRA U.S. Nationals
Just as Ron and Gordie did in 1979, Nathan Sitko and the 2025 Pacemaker Bubble Up race team didn’t have to sneak up on anyone. They raced confidently to the winner’s podium, repeating history.