What was the first car to break 300 mph in NHRA drag racing?

The first car to break 300 mph in NHRA drag racing was the Budweiser King.

Kenny Bernstein drove the Budweiser King Top Fuel dragster to a 301.70-mph qualifying pass at the 1992 Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida. The historic run took place on March 20, 1992, making Bernstein the first driver in NHRA competition to break the 300-mph barrier.

The achievement was a team effort. Crew chief Dale Armstrong and tuner Wes Cerny helped develop the powerful combination, and Bernstein’s pass earned a $50,000 Slick 50 bonus. Because NHRA required the speed to be backed up, Bernstein followed it with a 299.30-mph run during eliminations, securing the national record.

“Budweiser King” can cause confusion because Bernstein used the name for both Funny Cars and dragsters during his long association with Anheuser-Busch. The 300-mph milestone, however, belongs specifically to the Budweiser King Top Fuel dragster. Bernstein later became known as the “King of Speed.”