WinterNationals 1973-1974
 

At the Winternationals in 1973 & 1974 Stock was Won by a Les Young. I was there both years but have no recollection of him or his car !
It was a '66 Chev according to NHRA,but nothing beyond that.
Does anyone recall where he was from or what car he ran ?
And perhaps a picture........

Re: WinterNationals 1973-1974
 

John,
He was from Oregon. Blue wagon, I think. Might have been a 2bbl one year.

Re: WinterNationals 1973-1974
 

May 73' Super Stock and Drag Illustrated, picture on pg.23 shows Les young's 66' Chevy wagon R/SA beating George Williams Y/S Vega wagon. Les ran 15.62 at 86.20. I don't know if thats a misprint but it seems slow for an R car back then,,,maybe not.
May 74' SS&DI, picture on pg.20 shows Les' wagon now a U/SA beating Dick Zugman's I/SA 69' Chevelle, running a 16.22 at 79.29 to Dick's 13.61 at 98.25. Hope this helps.
Dang, I love my magazine collection! Danny Durham

Re: WinterNationals 1973-1974
 

It wasnt slow for the rules of 1973. Remember the stockers were all turned into Super Stockers in 1972. The "STOCKERS" at that time were still running stock exhaust manifolds, real factory stock cams (no regrinds), OEM valve spring pressures, no spools, and real DOT (not todays slicks with groves in them) tires instead of slicks. The U/SA combo was a 2 barrel carb and the R/SA was a 4 barrel combo.

Re: WinterNationals 1973-1974
 

Yeah,,I was wondering about that,,,my memory isn't what it used to be, but I was thinking that Cal Method's R/SA wagon at the time was running in the 13s. I've got to find some old National Dragsters from then. I've gotten rid of them over time,,too much stuff in the attic,you know. Danny Durham

Re: WinterNationals 1973-1974
 

Danny,
In 1978, between Cal and I, we set the R/Stock stick record 5 times.
Times were in the high 13's
That was with real slicks, open headers, spools, electric fuel pumps ,and the new Cam Dynamics profiles (any lobe shape, stock lift, duration , and overlap)
None of that stuff was allowed in 72-74

Re: WinterNationals 1973-1974
 

Did Cal change his wagon from R/SA to Q/S? Here's a pic of it:

http://www.firebirdonline.com/blast_...st_index_A.htm

In the left column, scroll all the way down until you see "Cal Method". Click on his name to see the wagon.

Re: WinterNationals 1973-1974
 

I believe NHRA factored the engine at some time in the mid 70's and at the time you were not allowed to adjust the wt. for a lower class. Maybe 6 or 9passenger model? Mark could probably let you know better since he ran one and that was 35 or so years ago.

Re: WinterNationals 1973-1974
 

Could be several different factors there. You did need a 9 pass. to make "R" at that time.
Also ,back then you got points for setting records.
Another possibility ; I used to run Q at the R weight sometimes, before dialing under was allowed. Seeing I could run about .3 under the index, it worked out just about right.

Re: WinterNationals 1973-1974
 

Thanks for the feedback Mark,,,thats a cool story about you and Cal. I can't remember how many guys ran the 65-66 wagons back then here out west besides Cal and Jerry McClannahan among others. I'm sure there were others.
Take care,,Danny Durham

Re: WinterNationals 1973-1974
 

Mark, I built my 1966 nova K/S in 1974, it had 10 in. wide L-60/15 size street slicks M&H i believe and Hooker fender well header, reground cam stock lift and duration, stock fuel pump,I paid $850.00 for my 283 built by Herman Chapman, The only way i remember what year it was because i had a new 1974 Ford pickup, Ran Indy that year and red lite in class. Tom

Re: WinterNationals 1973-1974
 

What did you do....cut the quarter pannels off to get the tires to fit?....lol.

Re: WinterNationals 1973-1974
 

X-Tech man, That was back when you had to use stock leaf springs, the tire`s side walls was the problem, had to use big hammer to make fit, Now you see nova`s with reverse off set wheels that wouldn`t fit in old days. Tom

Re: WinterNationals 1973-1974
 

I wonder if the wagon that Les Young had was the same one that Jerry McClanahan had ?
And I believe later Rob Robinson of Stark Street Pizza had ?
And then I believe it went to the "Inland Empire" area...like San Dimas or that area ...

Re: WinterNationals 1973-1974
 

cals big wagon is STILL the record holder... now with a stick & it belongs to tim weinzapel

captain jack