Twenty years ago, one of the strangest incidents in NHRA Top Fuel history took place at Maple Grove Raceway. Clay Millican and Doug Herbert engaged in the longest burndown ever seen in the nitro categories.
A burndown is when both drivers refuse to stage first for a drag race. It is rare to see a burndown go longer than a minute, and extremely rare to see one reach two minutes – let alone in nitro dragsters!
In this interview, @Clay Millican remembers the crazy moment, and then talks about the tragic incidents that would later bring his and Doug Herbert's paths together again.
If you'd like to find out more about the BRAKES initiative (Be Responsible And Keep Everyone Safe), go to https://putonthebrakes.org. Over 100,000 teens and parents have been trained in safe driving, making a huge difference on our roads.
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Staging Duel Becomes Fight On The NHRA Start Line – Clay Millican and Doug Herbert's Epic Burndown!
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Date: September 18, 2022
Clay is one of the most down to earth great man. I had the experience of living down the street from him and seeing him at the store from time to time. He is just a great guy. RIP to Dalton millicanโฆ he was on his way to true stardom
Man what a cool memory.. Your Nickname would be "Legend".. because that's what you are.. keep going man you are a inspiration to all the young people out there and are a class act. They will learn from you..
Much respect to you Clay. You're a great example of a gentleman driver
Clay Millican can't drag race so now he wants to be a youtube star.
Clay- you are such a class act. Didn't know you lost a son. I remember the burn down and what a touching story about when Doug lost two sons. As a fellow father, I can't imagine the pain from that loss. Onward and upward. Hope to say hi to you in Dallas next month.
This is when NHRA was at the top of its game.
BLUE THUNDER was one my favorites!! Love the content keep up the good work! love these types of videos. Nothing like reminiscing it's good for the soul!
God bless all……..
When I was younger and started watching IHRA, for some reason I just didn't like Clay. I have no idea why, maybe it was because he was always winning, but man he is such a stand up guy and a true role model for the sport of drag racing!
Clay is the wheel man๐ช
DOUG was in the wrong period.like warren johnson being a baby at the starting line .
I was there seated on spectator side by starting line, pretty sure it started raining right after this happened.
Dear lord!! I have one son and three daughters! All but the youngest daughter have a car and drives!!! It really can keep you up at night with worrie!!!
I had the privilege to meet Doug one year as me and a co worker won tickets from Snap On tools to go to the Gateway Nationals, we had tickets to hang out in there pit and eat with Doug and his crew, the guy was very down to earth and just a blast to hang out with.
Clay is probably one of the most genuine good people I've ever seen.
Dude that was one of the best stories so far. You both been thru so much. Great tail. Keep em coming and lets grab another wally
Things like that are great for drag racing !
Everybody's a gangster until it's time to do gangster sh*t… Clay is an OG and Rick Stewart is drag racing dad.
that's not a record burnout I've seen it done before supposed to RaceWay 1992
I remember this and the continuing crap from Herbert (the hillbilly racing league) for example. Herbert was a jerk!
That's not cool just stage the thing….. r/t gets you further anyway
Much respect to both drivers, humbling story.. lessons learned, life is more important than any issues in life
This is racing!
A great story!
Curious, what happened at the race? Where you DQโed?
should have burned the motors down, lol
I'd heard about this. It's great to see a detailed report.
This is one of the greatest stories I've ever heard! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing this very touching story and my condolences on the tragic circumstances……………
Man talking about a 2 minute burn down, shoving match, the great Rick Stewart shutting them down, it was plenty cool, actually got it on VHS lol. Although back in the late 90's i did have the pleasure of meeting Clay Millican while testing down in Bradenton, a real down to earth gentleman.๐ฅ๐ฅ#B.R.A.K.E.S.
My dad hauled the show version of his Werner car back in the day.
and this is why clay is my favorite driver
I watched the entire video and it was actually a really nice story about these two drivers, touching. I have to be honest though, I clicked on this thinking I was going to see a 2 minute "BURN OUT" by a nitro drag car and realized that at 40 yrs old and calling myself a "car guy", I don't know shit about drag racing or what a "BURN DOWN" is ๐๐. I'll see myself out……
I really thought to myself "oh shit a 2 min burnout by a nitro car that cant be possible, is there even enough tire to handle that??" I'm in tears with laughter