The great debate…Who ran the first 200MPH pass in the NHRA? In the minds of many, Karamesines was the first driver to exceed 200 mph on April 4, 1960, with a clocking of 8.82 at 204.54 mph at Illinois’ Alton Dragway. Don Garlits, Frank Cannon, and others who were among the first to break the double-century barrier did not do so until 1964.
Don Garlits hit it Aug. 2, 1964, the great innovator etched his name in not just the record books, but unquestionably in the history books as well with his 7.78-second pass at 201.34 that broke the 200-mph barrier that many believed would never be broken.
Kalitta made his historic 200-mph run during Nationals qualifying at three-year-old Indianapolis Raceway Park. It wasn’t the first 200-mph pass – that was either Chris Karamesines’ disputed 204.54 in Alton, Ill., in 1960 or Garlits’ runs earlier in 1964 in Great Meadows, N.J. – but it was the first 200 at an NHRA national event.
You decide.