Cornhusker Raceway Park

[fpcopo]

yellow69:

The original air cleaner for the ZL1 is on my COPO. I bought it from the guy who owns the #22 car now. He would probably pay some good money for the protect o plate for the car if you have it. The original engine to #22 is in the engine restoration room at Speedy Bill's museum, we saw it and shot pics of the VIN on the block. It is polished and it was raced by Larry Eberhard in a 66 Vette who blew it up and sold it to Speedy who had it repaired. Bill won't sell it. The Camaro RD's Shaker was named after Nick Whitaker who they called Rubber Di*k, hence RD. They also called him Slick Nick, Easy Fix, Dick Gozinya. I can't figure it out but its true.

[sstk100]

Originally Posted by fpcopo

yellow69:

The original air cleaner for the ZL1 is on my COPO. I bought it from the guy who owns the #22 car now. He would probably pay some good money for the protect o plate for the car if you have it. The original engine to #22 is in the engine restoration room at Speedy Bill's museum, we saw it and shot pics of the VIN on the block. It is polished and it was raced by Larry Eberhard in a 66 Vette who blew it up and sold it to Speedy who had it repaired. Bill won't sell it. The Camaro RD's Shaker was named after Nick Whitaker who they called Rubber Di*k, hence RD. They also called him Slick Nick, Easy Fix, Dick Gozinya. I can't figure it out but its true.

I was friends with Nick Whitaker back them. I'm pretty sure it was a guy named J. Bridgewater that actually bought the Mac Chevy originally in about 1971? (I know some details of the purchase) I'm pretty sure he bought the car when he came back from Vietnam. I went to high school with Bridgewater.

It looks like "Bridgewater" and "Whitaker" on the side of the car , as shown in the previous picture of the"RD Shaker" Mac Camero. I don't know how or why they might have became partners in the Camero. I used to run around and party with them in the 60's and about when Raceway Park was opened....then it later closed after the drivers strike

Bridgewater was partners with another guy, in a 55 Chevy before the Camero., and I think (not sure) it was before he went to the Vietnam, and raced for a short time at Omaha Dragway.

I know Whitaker had an L-88 big block in a 1964 or 65 Chevelle a few years prior to the Camero. I drove the Chevelle a few times at the old Omaha Dragway.

I had raced an NHRA stock class 56 Chevy at Omaha Dragway about the same time, but got married, had kids, and got out of racing to work, and go to college...and the rest is history as they say.

I remember when Whitaker had bought a new 1967 Chevy II with a 327 - 350 HP, 4 speed....silver with black interior. Very cool ...and fast ! I loved that car. It would be a collector's car now.

I have a few funny stories about Whitaker (not racing related).... some not appropriate for this forum, but has a little bit to do with some of his nick names.
I had a 29 Ford coupe that was stored in Whitaker's garage for a while, but his wife said it had to go, and it was sold.

Last I knew Whitaker was a mechanic for the Omaha Police Dept, but that was in the 1970s and I have no idea where he or Bridgewater are now.

Those were the good old fun times.

[cruiznlow]

here is a photo of the Macs Chevrolet in thr pits at Thunder Valley Raceway SD

[SStockDart]

Originally Posted by cruiznlow

here is a photo of the Macs Chevrolet in thr pits at Thunder Valley Raceway SD

I recognize that dusty 1969 Roadrunner tail light in the foreground .......I still have it.

OOps, the photo did not follow this quote.......it is post number 92.

[SStockDart]

This photo is only a couple of years old, but, it is the same car as raced at Cornhusker Raceway Park......... The "Don's" on the rear quarter panel was for Don Nicholich (SP) that had a machine shop in South Omaha....I have no idea if he is still alive, and would like to know. If anyone knows about Don, please let me know.

[SStockDart]

I find this thread short of pictures and comments about the folks that raced at CRP. I will throw out a few names.....John Wilson (and his dad), Garber and Devney, Stan White, Denny Fitch, Gary Vincent, Charlie Jacobs, Gene Bichelmier, Whitey Knudsen and his partner Dick Meirhenry, Rich Mlnarik, Mike Daurety, Fred Anderson, Eddie Rezac, Mike Daly, Patrick Brothers, Ryan Brothers, Charlie Puhls, Paul Jochim, Herman Chapman, to name a few.....I know some are watching from above now......

Here is my question.....how many of the "regulars" at Cornhusker Raceway Park still race competitively at NHRA events.....here are the ones I know: Gene Bichelmier, Dick Meirhenry, and me......any others?

[Tom Moock]

Gary, Ron Taylor 1957 Chevy SS/MA raced at Cornhusker, I made few runs on wed or thursday night, in wife`s 62 Nova. Tom

[Charlie A]

Originally Posted by SStockDart

This photo is only a couple of years old, but, it is the same car as raced at Cornhusker Raceway Park......... The "Don's" on the rear quarter panel was for Don Nicholich (SP) that had a machine shop in South Omaha....I have no idea if he is still alive, and would like to know. If anyone knows about Don, please let me know.