Re: NHRA history in review
 

Bill,

I was there with the '65 Chevelle 4-door. At the time, a perfect car for M/stock, 14.00 on a 14.00 break. Ya couldn't add or subtract in those days. 220 HP and 3080 pounds. I notice in all the latest factoring and refactoring that the math has changed the shipping weight to 3079 on NHRA's site. They don't remember, but I do.

While teching my Chevelle, Marty Barratt called for a halt to the other techs going on and brought the tech people over to my car. I thought Oh Oh! He then asked of the techs, "What do you see wrong with this car"? I was really worried as my dad had purchased the car new and I had only made drivetrain changes, so what could possibly be wrong? After many of them looked over the car for a few minutes Marty asked, "WELL"??? After a few more seconds of silence he said, "Absolutely nothing! This is how ALL OF THEM are supposed to look. Get back to work". WHEEEWW!

Jerry

Re: NHRA history in review
 

Wow, Jerry; that was quite a compliment, especially coming from Marty... He was't exactly known for handing out accolades... LOL! What a RELIEF, HUH??? :)

I was talking to a friend of mine from Sioux Fallls (John Matthies) the other day and mentioned your name. He said he remembered a "Jerry Ryan" who was affiliated with "Missile Muffler." there in Sioux Falls, years ago...

I told him I had know idea whether that was YOU, or another "Ryan."

He said that this "Missile Muffler" guy was somehow involved with some Hemi cars...

I didn't recall you ever mentioning anything like that, so I told him it probably was not you.

John moved away from Sioux Falls in 1970, to Des Moines, where I met him. Dennis Kaedinger was a buddy of his... He called him "LIP." Dunno the back story on that "Jolly Ollie Orange" guy... but, you probably do...

Bill

Re: NHRA history in review
 

1972 Summernat's ,Stock winner Truman Fields was tossed for pistons. RU, Paul Mayo, drop kicked for intake manifold.
(We had a Truman sighting in Phoenix a couple of hours ago, coincidentally)

Re: NHRA history in review
 

Bill,

Yes, I was really relieved. No, the "Missle Muffler" guy wasn't me. I've never lived in Sioux Falls, but knew most of the guys that raced there including Denny. Al Nyhus can probably fill you in on the muffler guy. I have his face in my memory bank, but not a name.

Jerry

Re: NHRA history in review
 

Thanks, Jerry. I didn't think you were that guy, but wanted to check it out.

Bill

Re: NHRA history in review
 

Bob you're right, Kenny Koonce won in ' 74....Couldn't find the ' 72 info but came across a Car Craft with the Indy ' 71 coverage and it said over 500 entries in Stock Eliminator?? Wonder how long tech was......

Re: NHRA history in review
 

These old photos got me wondering....Anybody remember which trannys were in the Neja cars...the '57 wagon and also the '55? Also, I know that the wagon ran a 265-2bbl., the base V-8 option for 1957, but did they try any other combos in that car?

Re: NHRA history in review
 

Tom & Tim both ran the regular old 3-speed, could not run newer all synchro 3-speed. To the best of my memory Tom only ran the two-barrel.

Re: NHRA history in review
 

I was runner-up to John Barkley in O/SA with my 56 chevy wagon(converted John Dianna panel). This was my first Nationals. What a great time. Many improvements since then. Tech on the oval after sitting in the grass by the road coarse for 24 hours. Everyone got in line at all times to be allowed into the lanes. No sessions. Trimming the slicks with a special file or knife to keep the stocker tires under 7 ". Hats I dont remember.

Re: NHRA history in review
 

Tim's 55 is for sale.
Bob Rice