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 Over 100,000 teens and parents have been trained in safe driving, making a huge difference on our roads.
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Princess in the red is such a clown
Clay had completely forgot about that moment I was one sitting in the stands at reading when you did that I was greatest moment my life and you gave somebody a great name you are a true class act don't ever forget it
thank you sir for sharing what has to be an almost unbearable loss and the story of the end result from what started as a simple grudge match showdown
This was a lot sadder than I was expecting
Between this and the WJ/Geoffrion burndown in 94…
Not sure which I like more, really. The late Buster Couch being his animated, angry self, and Dave Mac and the Diamond P crew covering it, IIRC it was the Pro Stock final, the Dodge boys had a reputation for shenanigans at that time, that was around the time of the famous cover with the lames out the hood asking if the team were running nitro, then 95 happened and they mysteriously had that break in.
This one, though….I mean, how often do actual fights happen? Rick Stewart was mad. Whether he was angrier than Buster in 94, I dunno
Doug looks like his car would have gone faster if he laid off the pork chops.
Great story!
Many people never learn this lesson, great growth can come Crome conflict.
Thank you for an amazing story, rivals come to an understanding and teaching kids to drive
Love those Werner days!
The driver who stages last basically is pulling the trigger on the tree. He’s able to better anticipate the tree. That’s why the staging duel.
That is very nice of you to share this information.
I got to go one of the classes that BRAKES puts on and see first hand on how the class helps teach the teens it has touched.
Clay …thanks for sharing your story !
Those were the good old days. R.I.P. old skool drag racing.
Anyone else misread the title and was watching and waiting for the longest burnout ever?
Is that a Walmart hat?
I made it thru without crying yay!
You must be so proud.
!
WTF didn’t even show the burnout? That guy likes to listen to himself talk
As far as I'm concerned Clay certainly has a nickname.
Clay "Class Act" Millican
NHRA starter Buster Couch wouldn't of stood for it. He would of told you to back them out.
Reminds me of Bo and Woody. Great rivalries are born from love.
Seen both of you guys race at RMR in west valley city Utah…..love both of you guys…
The old Werner car, that is when I became a Millican fan, have been ever since…
Too bad that it took so much tragedy to forge such a great friendship…