Take a look at this, How the Little Red Wagon Turned Drag Racing Into a Spectacle Forever!
Before modern Pro Mods, 5-second cars, and 300+ mph Top Fuel dragsters, drag racing had another kind of superstar — a wheelstanding pickup truck called the Little Red Wagon. This wild machine didn’t just race… it entertained, and in many ways it helped turn drag racing from simple competition into a full motorsports show.
The Little Red Wagon became one of the most famous exhibition vehicles in drag racing history and changed how fans experienced drag racing forever.
The Beginning of the Little Red Wagon
The Little Red Wagon was originally built in the 1960s using a Dodge A100 pickup truck, a small forward-control truck where the driver sat over the front wheels. Because of this design, the truck had a very short wheelbase and unusual weight distribution — which made it perfect for one thing:
Wheelstands. Huge wheelstands.
The truck was powered by a Chrysler HEMI engine, and when it launched, the front end would shoot straight into the air and carry the front wheels for the entire run.
This wasn’t originally planned as a stunt vehicle — but once they saw what it could do, they realized they had something special.
Bill “Maverick” Golden and Drag Racing Entertainment
The most famous driver of the Little Red Wagon was Bill “Maverick” Golden, who turned the truck into one of the biggest attractions in drag racing.
Instead of focusing only on speed, Golden focused on putting on a show:
- Massive wheelstands
- Sparks flying from the rear bumper
- Steering while the front wheels were in the air
- Sometimes crossing the finish line still on the rear wheels
Crowds loved it. Tracks loved it. Promoters loved it.
Soon, the Little Red Wagon wasn’t just racing — it was headline entertainment at drag strips across America.
The First Wheelstander Exhibition Vehicle
The Little Red Wagon is considered one of the first dedicated wheelstander exhibition vehicles in drag racing history.
After its success, many other wheelstander vehicles were built, including:
- Wheelstanding vans
- Wheelstanding funny cars
- Wheelstanding trucks
- Exhibition drag vehicles
It created an entirely new category of drag racing entertainment:
Exhibition wheelstanders
Even today, wheelstanders are still invited to major drag racing events to entertain fans between race rounds.
Not Just a Show – It Was Still Fast
Even though it was built for wheelstands and entertainment, the Little Red Wagon was still surprisingly fast for its time.
The truck could run low 11-second quarter miles while carrying the front wheels, which was incredible in the 1960s and early 1970s.
Remember — this was a pickup truck driving the entire track on two wheels.
Why the Little Red Wagon Changed Drag Racing Forever
The Little Red Wagon changed drag racing in several important ways:
1. Drag Racing Became Entertainment
Before vehicles like this, drag racing was mostly about competition. The Little Red Wagon helped turn events into full entertainment shows, not just races.
2. Exhibition Vehicles Became Popular
Tracks realized they could attract more fans by bringing exhibition vehicles like:
- Wheelstanders
- Jet cars
- Wheelie cars
- Exhibition funny cars
3. Sponsorship and Promotion Grew
The truck was heavily promoted by Dodge, making it one of the early examples of manufacturer promotion in drag racing.
4. It Became One of the Most Famous Drag Vehicles Ever
Even people who don’t follow drag racing often recognize the Little Red Wagon because of its iconic wheelstands.
The Legacy of the Little Red Wagon
Today, the Little Red Wagon is still remembered as:
- One of the most famous exhibition vehicles ever
- One of the first wheelstander trucks
- A major part of drag racing history
- A vehicle that helped make drag racing more exciting for fans
- A symbol of the wild 1960s drag racing era
Many modern wheelstanders exist today, but the Little Red Wagon started it all.
Final Thoughts
The Little Red Wagon didn’t just race — it changed drag racing culture. It showed that drag racing could be loud, wild, entertaining, and unforgettable.
Long before social media, YouTube, and viral racing videos, the Little Red Wagon was already doing something that made crowds go crazy every time it hit the track.
