Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 21 hours ago
🏁 Cajun Nationals Week rolls into 1983, the year many drag racing fans remember as the moment team orders became part of the conversation.
You could almost feel it coming.
The dominant Team Minor Top Fuel operation had been rolling through the NHRA season, and at the Cajun Nationals it finally happened — an all-Team Minor final round between Gary Beck and Larry Minor.
Most expected Beck.
Almost nobody expected what happened next.
Minor raced into the first NHRA final round of his career, defeating Jody Smart and Gene Snow before facing his teammate. Beck looked nearly untouchable on his side of the ladder after taking down Richard Tharp and Shirley Muldowney.
Then the final happened.
Beck lost a blower belt. Minor fought tire shake. Suddenly the race turned into a coast-to-the-finish battle that ended with Larry Minor collecting his first NHRA national event victory.
🏆 1983 Cajun Nationals Winners
Top Fuel: Larry Minor def. Gary Beck
Funny Car: Al Segrini def. Mark Oswald
Pro Stock: Lee Shepherd def. Frank Iaconio
Top Alcohol Dragster: Bubba Sewell def. Darrell Gwynn
Top Alcohol Funny Car: Ronny Young def. Steve McCracken
Competition Eliminator: Roy Johnson def. Sonny Ray
Super Stock: David Rampy def. Don Brown
Stock: Danny Doughty def. Ronnie Cardwell
Super Gas: David Simmons def. Bobby Shaddox
Inside this video:
✅ The first all-Team Minor final round
✅ Larry Minor's first NHRA win
✅ Gary Beck vs. Larry Minor
✅ Shirley Muldowney and Richard Tharp appearances
✅ Lee Shepherd keeps winning
✅ Another chapter of Cajun Nationals Week
For the latest drag racing news:
CompetitionPlus.com
#NHRA #LarryMinor #GaryBeck #TopFuel #ClassicDragRacing #CajunNationals #PEAKSquad #RaceStrange
🏁 Cajun Nationals Week rolls into 1983, the year many drag racing fans remember as the moment team orders became part of the conversation.
You could almost feel it coming.
The dominant Team Minor Top Fuel operation had been rolling through the NHRA season, and at the Cajun Nationals it finally happened — an all-Team Minor final round between Gary Beck and Larry Minor.
Most expected Beck.
Almost nobody expected what happened next.
Minor raced into the first NHRA final round of his career, defeating Jody Smart and Gene Snow before facing his teammate. Beck looked nearly untouchable on his side of the ladder after taking down Richard Tharp and Shirley Muldowney.
Then the final happened.
Beck lost a blower belt. Minor fought tire shake. Suddenly the race turned into a coast-to-the-finish battle that ended with Larry Minor collecting his first NHRA national event victory.
🏆 1983 Cajun Nationals Winners
Top Fuel: Larry Minor def. Gary Beck
Funny Car: Al Segrini def. Mark Oswald
Pro Stock: Lee Shepherd def. Frank Iaconio
Top Alcohol Dragster: Bubba Sewell def. Darrell Gwynn
Top Alcohol Funny Car: Ronny Young def. Steve McCracken
Competition Eliminator: Roy Johnson def. Sonny Ray
Super Stock: David Rampy def. Don Brown
Stock: Danny Doughty def. Ronnie Cardwell
Super Gas: David Simmons def. Bobby Shaddox
Inside this video:
✅ The first all-Team Minor final round
✅ Larry Minor's first NHRA win
✅ Gary Beck vs. Larry Minor
✅ Shirley Muldowney and Richard Tharp appearances
✅ Lee Shepherd keeps winning
✅ Another chapter of Cajun Nationals Week
For the latest drag racing news:
CompetitionPlus.com
#NHRA #LarryMinor #GaryBeck #TopFuel #ClassicDragRacing #CajunNationals #PEAKSquad #RaceStrange
