NHRA history in review
 

Since I seem to have a lot of time on my hands for now, I have ran across an excellent article that digs into the history of NHRA. Included is a year by year list of national event winners starting with 1955. Some of the winner and r-up names of yesteryear may surprise you. It can also let you know how long they have been in this game. I find it interesting reading about the history of our sport.

www.nhra.com/50th/years.html?year=1951


(Disclaimer: Opinions expressed by me on this forum are exactly that, my opinions.)

Re: NHRA history in review
 

Great site Travis
Thanks
Get well soon.

Re: NHRA history in review
 

Travis, e-mail me your home address and I'll send you some reading material.
nitrojoe@neo.rr.com

BTW, "Nitro Gimpy Cart" is at 90% nitro and ready to go.

Re: NHRA history in review
 

That site IS a wonderful compilation of information about who was the winner, and sometimes, the runner-up at NHRA national meets beginning in 1955.

That said, I'd like to suggest that there's a lot of information missing from those archives that I KNOW is available, and could be included to make for a much more interesting "read," such as including the make of car, and the winning time.

Maybe in the future they can flesh-out this skeletal document, which is very good, as far as it goes, but could be a whole lot better with a little more work.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the names of the winners and runners-up of national events I attended (1957, '58, '61, '62, '67,and '71), but it left me clamoring for more... more information.
I know, for example, that the Stock winner at the 1957 Nationals was John Zink in a 317 hp Tri-Power '57 Pontiac stick-shift car. There's no mention of any winners in ANY classes or Eliminators at that race beyond Top Eliminator.

I KNOW they can do better than that...

Be that as it may, it is a fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable "read." KUDOS to whoever was responsible for putting it up! I only hope they take it to the next level, with a little more information.

Thanks for making us aware of it, Travis!

Re: NHRA history in review
 

Great site travis, i totally surprised myself that i could actually remember some of those finals from the late sixties, after scrolling completely through the list of past winners it shows some real dominance of stock and super-stock,drivers in the late 60,s and 70,s... keep digging travis wintres coming so we need something to keep us busy ! be careful and heal up soon !!!! i know all about those crutch,.s, i do have a HI-PERFORMANCE WALKER i will loan you..... later dennis dunlap j/sa gt/ma

Re: NHRA history in review
 

Dial-unders now allowed at national events

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reprinted from the April 22, 1977 issue of National DRAGSTER
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif. -- Due to increased performance levels attained by both Stock and Super Stock cars and in the interest of closer overall competition, NHRA has implemented a new rule governing "dial-ins" effective with the Cajun Nationals.

Instead of instituting a complete overhaul of the Indexes in Stock and Super Stock, NHRA will give drivers in those two eliminator categories an opportunity to "dial under" their posted Index elapsed times in all remaining 1977 national events. The ruling will be optional at the divisional level.

Contestants choosing to dial under must register their new dial-in with pit control two hours prior to the start of elimination runs. Once registered, an elapsed time will not be subject to change at any other time during the event.

In cases where two cars of the same class meet, the race will always be on a "heads-up" basis regardless of the situation with respect to the competing cars' respective "dial-ins," and break-out rulings will not apply.

"We feel that this is the most equitable way of equalizing the competition aside from completely overhauling the Index system ? which we would prefer to do only as a last resort," said NHRA Competition Director Steve Gibbs.


My, how times have changed . . .

Re: NHRA history in review
 

According to the results from the 1985 Northstar Nationals Gene Mosbek made history when he was declared both the winner and runner up in Stock!!!!!!!

How Is That Possible Lyn ???
 

1985 NORTHSTAR NATIONALS

TF Connie Kalitta Gene Snow
FC Jim Head John Collins
PS Bob Glidden Bruce Allen
TAD Brian Raymer Bill Walsh
TAFC Vern Moats Ken Veney
COMP Buddy Ingersoll Larry Morgan
SS Larry Woodke Jerry Stealy
STK Gene Mosbek Gene Mosbeck
SG Donald Schultz Gary Chancey
SC Lars Nelsen Dave Hollander

Re: NHRA history in review
 

1972----NO Stock Winner or Runner up at the SpringNationals or SummerNationals !!!
What's up with that ????

Re: NHRA history in review
 

Did not have any.

Re: NHRA history in review
 

I was told the Stock and Runner Up at Englishtow were disqualified !!

Re: NHRA history in review
 

John, I was at both of these races running S/S, to the best of my memory Stock was not contested.

Re: NHRA history in review
 

Great site.Great records.
Lots of familiar names, some that have been doing this a long time!
Even found myself a few times.
FJ

Re: NHRA history in review
 

Me too FJ. I remember all the times Merc and I used to stop by your shop when we went home from Montreal and other races in Canada.

I think I even remember Victoria was still in a stroller in those days! I can still picture you with your Camaro Super Mod car like it was yesterday!

MK

Re: NHRA history in review
 

According to the headlines in the July 28, 1972 issue of ND, "Stock Eliminated at Teardown".

Re: NHRA history in review
 

Guess my memory is not too good.

Re: NHRA history in review
 

i guess the phone calls and overrrides from greendale and the lawyers on speed dial were'nt instituted until after 1972 eh ??

captain jack

you coming to ohio valley to spectate this weekend travis ??.. im sure we can arrange a golf cart for you... or billy will lend you a tractor :)

Re: NHRA history in review
 

Paul, I would probably not have remembered if I had not kept a scrap book, with the Stock results (for the races I ran), in 1972 - 1973 (the first 2 years of Stock). I probably left Englishtown after I lost to Jack Worrell in the 1/4s. It wasn't until I received my ND 2 or 3 weeks later that I saw what had happened.

Re: NHRA history in review
 

Jack, sorry but my season ended on that slippery slope at Columbus. Its too soon for me to go wandering around. My world currently consists of the bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, and computer room.

Monday I go to see a local orthopedic surgeon. He will check out the work the Ohio surgeon did. That also means a new cast. Hope the new one is more user friendly.


(Disclaimer: Opinions expressed by me on this forum are exactly that, my opinions.)

Re: NHRA history in review
 

Dilchman, I question the accuracy of one of the early Pomona results since I didn't see your name winning S/S. Is my memory also steeped in Beringer or what? Lee B.:)

Re: NHRA history in review
 

Lee B.

Dilchman won the 1971 Supernationals in Stock. Looks like NHRA's records are wrong. Berg & Dilcher were partners on the 55 Chevy and Dilcher was driving. You probably were drinking too much Berringer LOL.

Jim

Re: NHRA history in review
 

Jim, I knew Paul had a win on the west coast and several conquests not related to drag racing!! Thanks for straightening me out. Was that the 265 3-speed on the column car? What a trip!! Lee:)

Re: NHRA history in review
 

Mike, how about that hat the Merc use to wear at Orange Co. Ca. ?

Re: NHRA history in review
 

I'm not 100% sure on this but I believe the 1972 Summernationals Stock winner was Kenny Koonce in that '66 Impala he had before the Camaro.....I know I have an old Dragster or mag around here to back that up......I'll start looking......

Re: NHRA history in review
 

I'm pretty sure that Kenny Koonce won in 74 and Kenny Horne was runner-up. I remember this well as my good friend Garley Daniels with his SS/O 66 Chevy II was runner-up to Butch Leal's SS/B 65 Plymouth in Super Stock.
Bob Rice

Re: NHRA history in review
 

Hmmm.Merc wore a lot of wild hats in his day but probably you are thinking of that floppy brimmed white Valvoline hat that was pretty much his trademark in the mid 70's?

I think he still has it somewhere in the shop!LOL

MK

Re: NHRA history in review
 

Whwn I was at the U.S. Nationals in '71, there were a lot of people wearing day-glo orange styrofoam pith helmets that had Honest Charley's logo on them. That was wild...

I wonder why Jeg's doesn't do the same thing, today, with yellow pith helments? They are great protection from the sun, probably cost very little to make/buy, and are a walking advertisement for the provider. I'm sure Honest Charley was giving them away; they were everyehere...

Anybody still got one?

Anybody on this board that was AT the '71 Nationals???? :)

Bill (who was 33 in '71.)

Re: NHRA history in review
 

Bill, We were there.

Re: NHRA history in review
 

WOW........You must be old..........:-)

Re: NHRA history in review
 

Paul,
I thought those hats were SOOO COOOOL..... :) Wanted one badly, but never did find out where to get one...

Had to resort to spray-canning a regular pith helmet day-glo orange when I got home...

It just wasn't the same... :(

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