Legends: The Series

John Force didn't need to lose two major sponsors to realize the pitfalls of drag racing sponsorships. The 15-time champion had been down this path before. When both Ford and Castrol announced they would be stepping away from the iconic drag racer at the end of the 2014 season, he immediately hired a marketing, social media and reality television dream team to chase what he coined as "Corporate America". Decades ago, Force didn't have this option. He didn't have the wherewithal to chase the corporate dollars. This video, from Force's standpoint, takes you back into the days when he wasn't so popular of a driver. It was an era when Force's gift of gab more than made up for his lack of monetary funds. In fact, it was this gift which landed enough money, to keep him in the game.

Most people know Graham Light as the NHRA's Senior Vice-President of Racing Operations. That's because he has been at that job for 21 years. In this debut of Legends: The Series, fans will see Light as he never has been seen before and appreciate the layers of experience in his career, north and south of the border. He's a drag racer, a track operator, even stunt driver and struggling actor. He shows each dimension with his trademark dry and self-deprecating sense of humor. Fans and racers who know Light will recognize his calm demeanor and articulate answers to the media in the nostalgic clips. But see if you can tell the identity of the shaggy-haired racer at the start of the presentation. Step back in time with some vintage racing footage and see why Light knows both the thrill of victory and the agony of real racing. Get together with your racing friends and toast Light with a clink of your Bubble Up soda bottles! And be prepared to see Graham Light in a completely new light.

The legend of Frank Manzo opens with the story of a man who wanted to win just one race. The final chapter of his racing career concluded with a man who won as much on the track as off. The numbers are astonishing 17 series championships, 21 divisional titles, 118 divisional victories and 105 national event wins. The name Frank Manzo conjures a reputation of a drag racer who won with the two ingredients which should fuel any aspiring champion - hard work and dedication. Inspired by his father, Mazo drove his way to 17 NHRA Lucas Oil championships in Pro Comp and Top Alcohol Funny Car, a feat admired by millions of drag racing fans including iconic fuel racer John Force. Force quipped, "To the bone Manzo. Bad to the bone." In this latest installment of Legends: The Series, we talk to Manzo about his dreams fulfilled, having any regrets bypassing the nitro train and his fascination with NASCAR racer Dale Earnhart. Manzo opens up about his decision to walk away from drag racing

If you were a drag fan of the 1970s, there's a good chance Steve Reyes was a large contributing factor to your passion. Reyes grew up in the drag racing rich confines of Northern California and early in life filled a void of chronicling the sport on film. He was an improviser. Wherever he went, he succeeded. Reyes was given sound advice from his first credential, "Kid don't get run over." And, he never did despite coming close on occasion. When he was denied a starting line photographer pass in Bakersfield, he turned a top-end exile into a way of life. The first dragster he shot unloaded the top end of the engine, and the rest is history. Reyes had a tendency to be in the right place at the right time. In this episode of Legends: The Series, go behind the scenes with one of drag racing's iconic photographers. He'll share the upside of photographing drag racing to the downs of watching friends either maimed or killed in an accident. As always in this series, we want you to walk away w

Tony Christian is many things but shy isn't one of them. The former Modified eliminator icon who stepped up to NHRA Pro Stock before making the move into the Pro Street world, has enjoyed a colorful drag racing career. Christian didn't win as many races as Bob Glidden or Lee Shepherd, but during his time he stood toe to toe with them. From Pro Stock, Christian came over into the Pro Street movement where he was one of the pioneering icons in the world's fastest street movement. Christian leads a much easier life these days as a crew chief on Dan Stevenson's Pro Modified entry. In this latest instalment of Legends: The Series, Christian discusses the good old days of gear-jamming Modifieds and the days when he held his own against the giants of NHRA Pro Stock.

Most every drag racing fan will proclaim "Big Daddy" Don Garlits as the greatest drag racer who ever strapped himself into a dragster. But mention it to Garlits, and he will say he never liked being branded this. Instead, he offers, "I'm just me." Garlits, the man who advanced safety in the Top Fuel division further than anyone, learned how to drag race by growing up in a family affected by the great depression. He carried the banner in a male-dominated sport and when a talented female driver made her way into the ranks, did his best to win one for the boys all the time. In this Legends: The Series, Garlits discusses his upbringing, as well as the occupation he nearly had before being led into cars. He'll also discuss his proudest moments as well as a couple of racing fatalities that touched his heart deeply. Garlits also revealed his complicated relationship with Wally Parks and how the love of his family fueled his success.

To truly understand Tom "the Mongoose" McEwen, you must walk a mile in his shoes. McEwen, on the outside, was the epitome of marketing success on the drag strip. His life off of the track was a combined measure of personal success and heartbreaking tragedy. McEwen grew up without a father; having lost him as a young child in a plane crash. He was a driven kid determined to make his mark on the race track and once there, and he was able to shine in his element. The drag strip enabled McEwen to develop a kinship with Don 'the Snake" Prudhomme. In this episode of Legends: The Series, McEwen shares his innermost feelings about loss, having lost his dad at a young age and later in life, the passing of two sons. But, is not sadness for McEwen, who revels in his fame associated with the Mattel: Hot Wheels program and winning the big races. Sit back and enjoy this incredible look inside the life for one of drag racing's more storied personalities.

Diamond P announcer Steve Evans might have best summed up Frank Hawley's career when he proclaimed, "Frank Hawley, is arguably drag racing's greatest rags to riches story." An aspiring drag racer, Hawley, applied by mail and was hired by veteran team owner Austin Coil. Coil was tough on his youthful driver but very insightful, and the lessons learned crafted the Canadian-based competitor into not only a champion, but also one of drag racing's more talented instructors. In this episode of Legends: The Series, Hawley laughingly describes the Coil tutelage, his childhood of exploration and his desire to do what it took to earn a top driving gig. Hawley also discusses his fateful appointment to drive for a paralyzed Darrell Gwynn, as well as developing his popular driving school. Hawley talks about his career and how it would have been worthy of a Hollywood script.

There was no formal training for the job, but this didn't prevent Steve Gibbs from doing the best he could. Originally hired as an ad salesman for the NHRA, Gibbs was recruited by the late Jack Hart to help run the NHRA events. Gibbs faced everything from the inspirational to absurd during his tenure as "the man" making the decisions for the NHRA. Gibbs believes a good measure of his qualification was in having "good, walking around sense." In this final episode of Season One - Legends: The Series, Gibbs discusses why he got into the NHRA administrative circle. He admitted his close relationship with the drag racers and the one who "hauled off, and belted me." Gibbs also addressed M-80s and Nitro, as well as the death of drivers. This inspirational interview serves as a fitting conclusion to an incredible series debut.