There are so many cars over the years that have had a strong impression on me personally. Here are my Top 10, in no particular order.
1. John Gullett’s 2000 Single Turbo Mustang Pro 5.0 CarThis car single-handedly was the reason I ever wanted to drive a Pro 5.0 car in the first place. The car seemed to have gone through about 20 paint metamorphosis’ in its life time (they change paint as often as I change spark plugs), but my favorite of all time was this purple and bronze flamed rendition (at left).
Achievements: John broke many FFW Pro 5.0 records, the latest running a 6.36 with a small block and twin turbos in 2006.
Where is it now? Though the car was put up for sale at the end of 2006, John still owns the car and has put it aside to focus on family for awhile.
2. Mike Ashley’s Gone in 6.0 Seconds “Eleanor” GT 500 Mustang Pro ModThis is my all-time favorite Pro Mod, and quite possibly my favorite car of all time. The first time I saw Eleanor was at the inaugural Drag Stock event in Jackson, SC. That weekend, Mike pushed Eleanor to the first 3 second 1/8th mile performance, a feat that was celebrated by Gotham City handing out free t-shirts. I ran to get mine, and I still have that shirt.
Achievements: The car evolved into many different forms over the years Mike campaigned the car, and was the car he won his NHRA Pro Mod Championship in.
Where is it now? Tim Tindle current owns the car under a different paint scheme and still competes in NHRA Pro Mod.
3. Scotty Cannon’s ‘Mater 1963 Studebaker Pro ModThis car is one of the coolest looking and most successful cars around. Made famous by six time Pro Mod Champion Scotty Cannon, and later driven by son Scott Cannon, the car has seen more winners circles than any other car out there.
Where is it now?Local Alabama racer R.E. Smith now owns the car and is competing in the Southern Outlaw Series, which is cool because I get to see the car alot now.
4. Mike Murillo’s Texas Jam “Star Car” Super Street Outlaw Mustang
4. Mike Murillo’s Texas Jam “Star Car” Super Street Outlaw Mustang
The Star Car was probably the very first car that made me want to drag race, period. The first time I saw the car in person was on the cruise to World Ford Challenge in 1999. I was so very excited because I found out Mike Murillo was staying at the very same hotel I was in Joliet. That was in my early years of racing, and I was completely star-struck by Mike.
Achievements: This car defines the hay-day of Mustang 5.0 Racing, and is a legend of its time. Mike won all kinds of Super Street Outlaw Championships with this car.
Where is it now? I’m not sure what happened to the original Star Car, but Mike races on in Outlaw 10.5 with a newer, badderer version, Star Car 2.
5. Steve Grebeck’s “Psycho Bitch” Pro 5.0 MustangThis car was so ahead of its time, and also the most tragic of the list. Grebeck’s rich history in Mustang racing made him one of my favorite drivers. He started off driving one of the earliest cars in Mustang Racing history, Stormin’ Norman’s convertible. But this car, named Psycho Bitch for its violent tendencies, was one of the most advanced and impressive machines I’d ever seen. Unfortunately, Steve lost his life in the car at the Orlando FFW race in 2002. That day, that pass will forever be etched in my mind. I felt such incredible sadness that I never pushed pass my shyness to meet and talk to him while he was still with us.
Achievements: The car, owned and sponsored by Harry Hrushka at Precision Turbo, was one of fastest turbo doorslammers in its day, and well ahead of its time.
Where is it now? The car was involved in a fatal crash with Bill Rimmer at the 2002 Fun Ford Weekend Spring Break Shootout in Orlando, FL. RIP, Steve Grebeck.
6. Billy Glidden’s Super Street MustangI remember jumping the fence at the Orlando World Street Finals in 1999 just to get a photo with Billy Glidden, one of the most famous and notorious Mustang racers. Though him and I would later have some not-so-pleasant run-ins over my move to Pro 5.0, its hard to argue with the legendary feats that he’s accomplished as a racer, and his mark as Drag Racing’s very own Celebu-spawn. Billy is the son of Pro Stock icon Bob Glidden.
Achievements: This man is legendary in the winners circle in every form of street racing, all with a tried-and-true small block nitrous combination.
Where is it now? The same car, in service for almost a decade, is still earning Billy and Shannon paychecks on a regular basis.
7. Tom Moore/Dennis Lugo Super Street Outlaw MustangI learned so much about racing from this car. The first car I ever was in the pits with, Dennis’ driving of this true 10″ tire’d freak machine was pretty inspirational. Running back in 99-00, the car was quite the handful with wild wheelies and plenty of squirrel-y action.
Achievements: Held the last standing FFW true 10″ record before the class allowed the 10.5W tire.
Where is it now? Last known location, the car was sold to Javier Collazo in Puerto Rico.
8. “Big Daddy” Dwayne Gutridge’s Drag Radial MustangTHE reason I chose to start my career in Drag Radial racing…. the famous launch MM&FF picture of Dwayne’s car with all 4 wheels off the ground, on BF Goodrich Drag Radials (sorry, couldn’t find it online). I spent all of 2003 chasing Big Daddy for the runner-up in FFW Drag Radial. The man was crazy on BFGs.
Achievements: Was on top of the Radial revolution, and virtually unstoppable for several years on BFG Drag Radials.
Where is it now? Not entirely sure, but I’d bet that Dwayne still has this car.
9. Mike Ashley’s Torco Nitro Funny CarMike makes the list twice because it was the first nitro car I ever got up close and personal with. The Gotham City team played host to me at the 2006 US Nationals, allowing me to go to the starting line with a Nitro Funny Car and sit in the pits as they serviced it between rounds. Not only did I make some great friends and learned about the “Big Boys”, it truly was one of the most amazing experiences of my life, and what fueled my desire to drive a Nitro car. Mike’s stories at the hotel over dinner about his learning curve of moving to Funny Car from Pro Mod are so inspiring and entertaining.
Achievements: Mike won several Wallys in Funny Car during his two year stint, with the pinnacle being his US Nationals win in 2007.
Where is it now? Melanie Troxel took over driving duties in 2008 with new sponsor and owner Roger Burgess of R2B2 Racing.
…..and since I just couldn’t decide, #10 is a TIE.
10. Jason Wood’s 1959 Cadillac Hearse Pro StreeterFor most creative and all-around cool, my vote goes to this unique ride that I was able to check out for the first time at the 2007 Orlando World Street Nationals. The attention to detail is really impressive, and creativity is just unsurpassed.
Where is it now? The car had an up-close encounter with the wall at its first outing, but my hopes is they have it back out and better than ever.
[and]
Travis Swearingen’s Junkyard Willys Pro ModBesides being a super cool team, (hi Barb and Dan!) the Swearingen’s have a badass little hotrod. It may look like a junker, but that’s the beauty of it… the car is painted up to be a rusty old Willys, and again, its all in the details. The front, broken grill has bugs splattered with interesting *ahem* anatomy. Check out the details if you ever see this one in person.
Where is it now? You can check this one out on the ADRL Pro Extreme tour.
Stunning! I think all race cars suohld be bright red or white. To me red is best for looks, and white is best for being a little cooler in the lanes LOL. I’m a mopar guy but the 67 Mustangs were just plain cool. Bright red…double cool! I just watched that race at Martin tonight, (7-28-11) is when it aired on MAVTV. I caught that final round with Hamstra. Great round! If the new car is going to be lighter Hamstra probably would have lost that round. Good Luck with the rest of the season’s points races. I’ll be keeping my eye on you.Wayne