Don Fezell — 50 Years of Cobra Jets
 

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Don Fezell at the age 81, is not the most computer savvy, so this post is made for him. Don would like to thank Alan Reinhart, Lewis Bloom, Evan Smith and the whole NHRA Staff for their kind words about his lifelong dedication to the NHRA and his Cobra Jet nicknamed “Sally.”

Don has been racing NHRA since 1959, and has been in a Cobra Jet since 1968. His racecar is everything to him, and had recently won class at the baby gators, and went 5 rounds in super stock. With the amount of cars in the showdown, Don knew it would be tough competition, but he stayed the extra week to race the showdown regardless of knowing how fast the class would be. This is the first time since 2011 at his first showdown race Ford did not recognize Don and Sally as part of Team Cobra Jet, and Mike Delehanty went as far to refuse Don a Team Cobra Jet sticker. The fastest Sally has been is an 8.10 at 168 miles per hour. After the Gators, he brought the car directly back to address some of the issues and hopefully being able to make Sally run in the 7’s at Charlotte to be part of Team Cobra Jet again. Charlotte is the home to the first 8 second stocker, which was Don and Sally on April 14th 2012. He is in the hopes of Sally running 7’s at Charlotte. Here was Don at the first showdown.


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Above is Don's first Showdown pass in 2011
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There were no COPO's in 2011, just Dragpack's and Cobra Jet's




P.s. If you asked Don in 1968 if he would be on Sunoco Vision, he would have never dreamed of it.

Re: Don Fezell — 50 Years of Cobra Jets
 

Jim, does it still have a 5.4 or is a 5.0 now?

Re: Don Fezell — 50 Years of Cobra Jets
 

Yes it's still last years motor, the 5.4L and he plans to stick with this combination for durability.

Re: Don Fezell — 50 Years of Cobra Jets
 

Sounds like another case of ------"Screw all that !! -- What have you done for me today !! " -------- Outstanding accomplishments by Mr. Fezell

Re: Don Fezell — 50 Years of Cobra Jets
 

Another Cobra Jet racer offered Don his stickers that was very cool

Re: Don Fezell — 50 Years of Cobra Jets
 

I have had the pleasure of racing Mr Fezell a few times, if you call it that when you're driving an 11 second car and he's a class act. Great guy and deserves any accolades that comes his way. So cool to see someone as loyal as he has been to Ford.

Re: Don Fezell — 50 Years of Cobra Jets
 

I ran him in a time trial for the November S/SS race at Hagerstown 3 or 4 years ago. At that time, I think he still had the stick in the car. His 60' was a couple hundredths better than mine. After that, he was nearly going up the return road by the time I crossed the finish line.

Re: Don Fezell — 50 Years of Cobra Jets
 

One of the very best and professional racers you can meet at the track. He is an even better person, and I’m honored to call him a friend.

Re: Don Fezell — 50 Years of Cobra Jets
 

No one is having more fun than Don!

Re: Don Fezell — 50 Years of Cobra Jets
 

This hurts, watching everyone else post about getting their new stickers...

Re: Don Fezell — 50 Years of Cobra Jets
 

What an inspiration!

Re: Don Fezell — 50 Years of Cobra Jets
 

I've become friends with Don and Ron over the past few years. Super nice guys. I'm happy I can call them friends.

Re: Don Fezell — 50 Years of Cobra Jets
 

I met Don at Zmax in 2009 which was Sally's first year in competition. I was at Zmax in 2012 when Don made the first 8 second Stocker run. Most importantly, I am honored to have Don as a good friend since 2009.

Re: Don Fezell — 50 Years of Cobra Jets
 

Jim, do you think that the new 327 will have the same durability issues as the 302?

Re: Don Fezell — 50 Years of Cobra Jets
 

Bill,


The 3.800" stroke crank is what makes it a 327. This is the only difference from the 302. As you know, NHRA allows .080" overbore so the 302's were already at 314 inches. In my 3 hour meeting with ford performance in Norwalk, this is what I had suggested to them to be more competitive with the 350 COPO's and the 354 Dragpacks. Any more stroke would have made the rod angle ugly.


As for durability following Skillman's car from testing through Gainesville, I don't know exactly how many passes are on that motor I would guess somewhere between 20 and 30. My hat's off to Chris Holbrook. It's a happy fast motor.


Jim

Re: Don Fezell — 50 Years of Cobra Jets
 

Don Fezell is the man! Such an incredibly nice guy who has been doing what he loves for so long. He is a successful business man, racer and personal relationships with everyone. Don is certainly someone you can look up to!

Thank you Don for being an inspiration. Congratulations on the accomplishments with more to come with no sign of slowing down.

Re: Don Fezell — 50 Years of Cobra Jets
 

Great Story on MR.Fezell, sure hope he meets all his goals!

Re: Don Fezell — 50 Years of Cobra Jets
 

I had the pleasure to be close friends with Phil Bonner. Phil was always proud of "Daddy Warbuck's" on the side of Don's CJ and of how fast it ran. I also am happy to call Don a friend!!!

Re: Don Fezell — 50 Years of Cobra Jets
 

I've spoken with Don 4 times in the past few days and he has read the thread here and feels blessed to have such good friends! He appreciates everyone's kind words. He is in Alabama right now helping his brother move to North Carolina.

We have Sally in the shop getting a new Transmission and torque converter, trying to make the 7's!

Re: Don Fezell — 50 Years of Cobra Jets
 

Jim, I am glad that Don knows how much he is loved and respected.

Re: Don Fezell — 50 Years of Cobra Jets
 

I love those Factory Cobra Jets.I have a 2017 Ford Mustang Gt with a Whipple Supercharger for my fun car and it will sure put a smile on your face.Just Saying!

Re: Don Fezell — 50 Years of Cobra Jets
 

Don and Ron are a class act I'm glad to be able to call them both my good friends so keep up the good work

Re: Don Fezell — 50 Years of Cobra Jets
 

Why are the "Team Cobra Jet" stickers so sacred that Ford wouldn't give Don one?
You would think such a diehard Ford cobra jet guy would get one easily.

Re: Don Fezell — 50 Years of Cobra Jets
 

Don is truly a class act, he handles himself at various car events like the Carlilse Car shows like a real pro. He always fields the hundreds of questions he gets about his car collection thoroughly, never short changes anyone when they talk to him. On the track he can still get it done. When he got the first of the new Cobra Jet cars he wasn't afraid to turn em' loose either, most of the racers in the new stuff weren't doing that. He is truly a great asset to our sport of drag racing!

Mike Bassin, track announcer, Mason Dixon Dragway

Re: Don Fezell — 50 Years of Cobra Jets
 

Because Mikey can make the that way!

Re: Don Fezell — 50 Years of Cobra Jets
 

I agree with a couple of others...seems very petty to not give this guy his stickers. What am I missing here?

Re: Don Fezell — 50 Years of Cobra Jets
 

The Ford Performance website gave him some props for his performance during qualifying.

Roland


After three rounds of qualifying the Cobra Jets held down the top five spots, with Bill Skillman setting the pace at 7.74 at 172.96 mph. Bill was trailed by Carl Tasca (7.75/178.24); Chris Holbrook (7.77/178.05); Randy Eakins (7.78/178.64); and Drew Skillman (7.82/175.11). Kevin Skinner rounded out the Mustang contingent, slotting in the 14th position with a 7.90 at 173 mph. Other notables were Watson Racing drivers Paul Roderick, who failed to qualify with a 7.96, but ran a speed of 179.33 mph, former event winner Chuck Watson, who ran 8.06 at 175, but struggled with traction, and Don Fezell, who clocked an impressive 8.12 at 166 mph with his 5.4L-powered 2008 Cobra Jet.

Re: Don Fezell — 50 Years of Cobra Jets
 

The reason why that happened was the higher ups at Ford were contacted.

Don proudly displaces the Team Cobra Jet Sticker on his car that Jesse Kershaw gave him, he never ignored a Ford customer.