Pontiacs

[oldskool]

Every year when the US Nationals race comes around, I suppose it brings up thoughts & memories of past US Nats, for most class racers & their fans.

Those who have actually participated in one or more of the races will probably think back on things that happened to them in a particular year, or several years.

For those of us who have never been a participant or even attended an event, we might think back to what some of our favorite drivers or cars did, at one or more particular races.

Since I've never been, and ESPECIALLY because I'm a Pontiac Freek, I always think back on what Pontiac V8 powered cars have done, during the history of the big race.

This year has been no exception. I immediately think of my 1st Pontiac hero, Truman Fields & his '73 Stock win & '77 Class win.

Then I think of that '68 Bird that won in '73, winning again in '77, with Mike McKinney driving.

Next I think of '74 when Al Vanis won Stock, in a '74 Ventura & Rock Running won his class in a '74 GTO.

Next I usually think of Mick Leiferman who was Stock RU 3 years running in his '71 GTO record holder.

Then I think of my 2nd Pontiac hero, Jack Mullins, who won SS in '75, beating Miss Mighty Mopar, Judy Lilly, in the final.

Next I usually go back to the early years, remembering the early '60's Pontiacs that either won the race or at least their class. 2 of these drivers are always Lloyd & Carol Cox. I always think of Lloyd winning the A/FX class in '62 & Carol winning the S/SA class.

One Pontiac win that many younger folks may not even be aware of is the Top Dragster class, at the '62 Indy race. There was no Top Fuel class. These dragsters were the quickest cars in competition that year.

The final pitted famous dragster driver Don Garlits against a Mickey Thompson Pontiac powered dragster driven by Jack Chrisman.

The Pontiac powered dragster won the race ! I think that is a VERY big deal. I assume it is the ONLY Indy race a Pontiac powered dragster ever won. If I'm wrong, somebody can post the correct info.

https://bangshift.com/bangshift1320/...ine-dragsters/

I don't think there has been another Pontiac V8 powered win since '77, in Stock or SS. If I'm wrong. somebody please post the correct info.

But, there have been LOTS of Pontiac powered class wins. And, I know for sure there was at least one #1 qualifier in SS, when Ken Shawver did it, in his '78 T/A.

Would love to know of any other Pontiac V8 powered #1 qualifiers, if there were any. ???

[oldskool]

In other Pontiac threads I've mentioned the Pontiac powered GT Super Stock cars.

I think it has been established that Don Kennedy proposed most of the rules that were adopted for the GT class. They basically allow engines to be run in a body for which that engine was never an option.

Some common Pontiac examples would be running a Pontiac V8 in a 3rd or 4th gen Bird body, running a '70 or newer Pontiac V8 in a 1st gen Bird body, running a 428, 455, or other Pontiac V8 engine in a Pontiac body in which the engine was not an option, and running a Pontiac V8 in a Chevy body.

Not sure who actually had the very 1st Pontiac powered GT car. May have been Don Kennedy. Maybe somebody who knows for sure will chime in.

The most famous Pontiac GT car is probably the "Hatari" 4th gen Bird. Peter Biondo won SS championships with it. Also won his 1st one with a 3rd gen Hatari GT Bird.

Can't name all the Pontiac GT cars that have run. Besides Don Kennedy, I know that Carroll Warling had one, back when Don was running his 3rd gen.

I know that Billy Joe Moravitis ran one, tho I haven't been able to get all the details of that car, yet.

Steve Smith ran a strong 3rd gen, which I think we have established now belongs to Scott Burton.

Victor Santos ran a nice 3rd gen, which now belongs to Bill Kennedy, in div 1.

Greg Meyer has a real nice 3rd gen.

Leo Glasbrenner ran a nice 4th gen, for a few years, as did Johnny Duncan. The Duncan car is now raced by Sean Pickett & John Agnetta, with power by Phil Monteith.

Carroll Warling has a '74 GTO GT car. Larry Maxwell has a '68 Bird, running a '74 350 engine.

Lynn, Casey, & Stacy McCarty run a 3rd gen Bird & a small late model Pontiac of some sort, which I've forgotten.

Don Kennedy still runs a 428 powered Sunfire.

Then of course, there are at least 2 Cobalts running a 428 Pontiac engine. Both those cars have won class at Indy.

I'm sure there are quite a few others I either forgot or don't know about. Those who know of others are encouraged to post that info.

I've noticed that some regular SS Pontiacs have switched over to a GT class. I've read they do that so that their reg SS class combo won't get a hp hit, if they go a bit too quick.

For pics on this post, I'll just post one pic of each body style Pontiac GT, that I know of. As most know, there are minor variations between year models, in both 3rd & 4th gen Birds. But I'll only post pics of one 3rd gen & one 4th gen.

Thought of another one. Carroll Warling has been running his '74 Lemans in GT, with an iron head 428.

Also, I think Keri Angeles has been running her '69 Bird in GT, at least at some races.