Best B.O.P. stock and super stockers of all time

[oldskool]

I'm gonna split this post up between '74 A-body & '74 X-body Pontiacs.

The most popular '74 A-body Stockers I'm aware of are the Grand Am models. The 2 that have been active the longest are probably the one raced by Don Elgin, up in div 6, & the one formerly raced by Don Turk.

Another name linked to a '74 GA is Mike McGinley. Right now, I can't remember the history of that car. I suppose it could be the same car that Don Turk later owned. Sorry, I just can't remember the entire history of every Pontiac class car I've heard of. Maybe some of you guys who know, can fill in some of the history of these cars I miss or get wrong.

Anyhow. at the 2003 US Nats, the car won class.

https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r2003#indextop

It was #40, in '04. Was the quickest car in it's class, but got a red light in class elims.

https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r2004#indextop

At Indy '05, it was #35 & won class.

https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r2005#indextop

https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r2005#indextop

In '09, it was #30 & won class again, this time with a holeshot.

https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r2009#indextop

https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r2009#indextop

In 2010, I found a race where Mike was driving something else & Don Turk was driving a '74 GA. They were also listed as being from the same town, So, it's a good bet that it's the same car, passed on from Mike to Don. The next owner has also won races with it. So, it's been a strong runner, for quite a few years.

In 2000, Danny Ashley is listed at #15 & as N/SA class winner, in a '74 GA. I'll take a guess & say it's the same GA. Don't know if Danny built it or bought it already set up.

https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCStory.asp?ID=65596

https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCStory.asp?ID=65595

Tommy Brown still runs a '74 Lemans Stocker, out in div 7.

The quickest '74 SS A-body I know of was Carroll Warling's car. It held the SS/MA nat record for a while. He's run both a Lemans & a GA nose on it. It now runs GT, with, I think, an iron head 428. At Indy 2004, it's listed as a GA, @ #21, & was the SS/MA class winner.

https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCStory.asp?ID=2269

https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCStory.asp?ID=2266

I'll also mention Gary Riley's '74 Lemans wagon Stocker. He won a recent Mile-High Nats with it.

As for the X-body cars, Bill Rink's GTO has to be the most famous. Ran strong for years, as a Stocker, and is still running strong, in SS. Bill has posted here that he & his GTO were responsible for the huge hp hit NHRA gave the combo, they made a big Western swing one year. Was so big that he switched the car over to SS. Has won class at Indy in SS, several times.

Just found it on the 1998 Q-list at #47, & #7 in '99.

https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r1999#indextop

There have been several '74 GTO Stock nat record holders, thru the years. I have pics of one which had "Duttweiler Automotive" on the door. Also claimed it was a nat record holder from '91 thru '95. Al Vanis won Stock at the '74 US Nats, in a '74 Ventura. At that race, Rock Running got the O/S class win, in a '74 GTO. The Shekell bros GTO also got an Indy class win. The Jack Matyas '74 X-body was also an Indy class winner & nat record holder.

The quickest Pontiac X-body Stocker is still active, & driven by Brad Koivisto. Has run some high 10's. The high hp factor has driven most away from running a '74 X-body Stocker. The '74 400 engine combos are much more competitive.

Here's 5 '74 A-body & 4 X-body pics. Sometimes it hard to narrow 'em down to just a few.