Gator Tales

[Jack Matyas]

Just when I thought I didn't need to go anymore they ( the NHRA ) started touting the 50th Edition of the Gatornationals.Inside me it was like - 'been there - done that'.But I signed up anyway .And had a super good time .

Sure - I was there when Big Daddy raced his car with the 'rubber band' front tires.And speaking of Garlits - this year racing a Camry -OMG -Really? And then getting his butte kicked in the first round by "Cha-Cha".

And I was in the pits when the King of Speed ran 301 MPH.And lets not forget Al Hoffman with his Cutlass Funny car who tried to set the Gainesville Pine Barrons on fire after going over the top end guard rail .But it struck me funny this year when I saw "the Sarge" sporting a regular haircut while walking around the pits without a ride - never thought I'd see the day !!

Sportsman stuff - there was this then unknown school teacher from New Jersey that won Stock in '77 with his pet Plymouth and then went on to win several more - good job Jerry.And I'll never get Woodrow out of my mind - who is one lucky SOB because he went boating in his Firebird and almost drowned in the mini-lake at the end of Gainesville Raceway . Also we have Vonnie Mills in her S/G car who wrecked in the final but made it back from the hospital in time to collect her trophy.And me - I showed up around '96 with guns drawn in my H/SA LT1 275hp '94 Firebird for class runoffs - and those poor '69 Camaros - all they had were knives.(ok-here come the haters )

All this and I've never been to the Garlits museum -planned to this year but ended up changing engines with Alex Cortezzo and then helping David Barton switch a head on his Showdown car - if you have never done this there sure are a lot of nuts and bolts on those Supercharged engines .

This year the NHRA decided to have the Stock/SS class runoffs at the 'baby gators' .Not their finest moment.Yes, I know they had a lot planned but watching wrapped Camrys' racing is not better than watching class runoffs - ok -maybe i'm a little biased.But they owe us one !!! ( boy am I going to pay !!)

I could go on and on but I'm sure many members have Gator memories and this is a great place to share them.Please do .........