Unless you like dudes in unitards chasing each other around in a circle, we think you’ll find the OnAllCylinders Winter Games version of short track more your speed. And when we say speed, we mean 6-second nostalgia Funny Cars, old-school cool Gassers, and late-model drag machines battling pass-for-pass for straight-line supremacy.

While Sochi’s version of short track takes place on ice, we relocated our short track competition to a blazin’ hot strip of asphalt. We replaced those skin-tight speedskating suits with firesuits—because our version of short track includes combustion and fire and the occasional explosion (advantage: OnAllCylinders). And we swapped out the skates for a set of drag slicks.

Bam—just like that, no more speed skating. Just speed.

Yep, our octane-fueled (and sometimes alcohol-fueled) version of short track is all about straight-line speed. And our lineup of competitors includes some legendary performers. Which of the group is the ultimate drag race vehicle?

It’s up to you!

The Contenders

Willys Gasser

willys gasser at stan hywet car show
(Image/OnAllCylinders – Nicole Kunar)

 In other sports, competitors lose a step as they get older. Not the venerable Willys Gasser. In fact, the Willys is fast and has as much street cred as ever. The 1941 Willys rose to prominence in the 1960s and prompted the creation of a whole new NHRA class. And it remains the poster car for the legendary Gasser Wars of the 1960s today.

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Nostalgia Drag Car (You Pick)

Perhaps the prohibitive favorite for the gold, vintage dragsters can still reach impressive ETs in the quarter-mile. It’s hard to argue with the potency of these classics, but it’s ultimately up to you to pick the gold-medal winner. Could we have another miracle on ice…er, asphalt?

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COPO Camaro

2022 Chevrolet COPO Camaro
(Image/Chevrolet)

U.S.A.!

U.S.A.!

It’s the drag race-only version of one of America’s most-iconic cars of all time. The COPO Camaro burst onto the scene in 1969 to compete in Stock Eliminator and Super Stock classes. The limited-edition COPO Camaro was reincarnated in 2012 with a full chromoly roll cage and bare bones amenities. Like a well-trained Winter Games athlete, it’s lean and mean with all standard sound deadening and power accessories deleted to save weight.

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Ford Cobra Jet

2014 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet at SEMA
(Image/OnAllCylinders – Dave Fuller)

The Ford v. Chevy rivalry reminds us another Winter Games rivalry: Harding v. Kerrigan. We’ll let you decide who’s who, but there’s no denying the bad blood between the two competitors. Like the COPO, the Ford Cobra Jet is a limited-production race-only vehicle designed exclusively for the drag strip. The 2014 version features a supercharged 5.0L TiVCT engine, NHRA-certified chromoly safety cage, and lightened body components.

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Mopar Challenger Drag Pak

mopar dodge challenger drag pack dragpak
(Image/Dodge)

Guess that makes Mopar the Jeff Gillooly of the group.

Introduced by Mopar in late 2010, the Challenge Drag Pak was created to hit the competition like a proverbial lead pipe.

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Yes, there are hundreds of other great drag machines out there, but these are the OnAllCylinders competitors. Who wins the gold? Vote in the comments section below.

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Author: David Fuller

David Fuller is OnAllCylinders' managing editor. During his 20-year career in the auto industry, he has covered a variety of races, shows, and industry events and has authored articles for multiple magazines. He has also partnered with mainstream and trade publications on a wide range of editorial projects. In 2012, he helped establish OnAllCylinders, where he enjoys covering all facets of hot rodding and racing.