50 years of pro stock

melvin wellman · 12-11-2019, 10:25 PM

I think the first year for nhra pro stock was 1970. Just wondered if anyone thought that nhra should or could find a way to celebrate that. I know this has nothing to do with S&SS, so If this sounds dumb or is out of line just ignore it and let it fade away.

Tom P · 12-11-2019, 10:59 PM

At the SEMA show the theme of the NHRA Breakfast was 50 years of ProStock, they had Warren Johnson, Greg Anderson, Jeg Coughlin Jr, Erica Enders and Herb McCandless on stage. I think they have something going on at the Gatornationals about that. I suppose it should be at Pomona since that is where the first race 50 years ago was.

The bad part of course is that with so much attrition it would be easier to round up 50 funny car stars of the 60's than 50 Pro Stock stars of the 70's . RIP to Grumpy, Dyno Don, Ronnie Sox, Bob Glidden, Dick Landy, Reid Whisnant, etc, etc, etc...

melvin wellman · 12-12-2019, 12:11 AM

I did not realize that, and I know what you are saying. Thanks, mel.

340Cuda · 12-12-2019, 12:12 PM

While I wish Pro Stock was more like it was in the 70's its not and I wish there were more Mopar's to cheer on.

However I still enjoy it. I have found I look at it more like Funny Car and Top Fuel, generic cars with generic engines.

Carguy49 · 12-12-2019, 12:26 PM

I have loved Pro Stock since the start. The innovation and multiple combos made it fun back in the day. Today it is basically Pro Camaro. Not the same draw for me as it was.

Today there are about 40 Cars in the class. At one time there were about 35 cars just in Division 6, and I am sure the other divisions had a similar number.

jmcarter · 12-12-2019, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 340Cuda

While I wish Pro Stock was more like it was in the 70's its not and I wish there were more Mopar's to cheer on.

However I still enjoy it. I have found I look at it more like Funny Car and Top Fuel, generic cars with generic engines.

Sadly, there’s only a couple of the current drivers who can drive, build and maintain the motor and chassis in today’s Pro Stock (Jason being the most prominent). In the early days over 50% of them could do it. In the fuel ranks I wonder if there’s been a single one since Dick LaHaie. That’s a big part of the allure of the old Pro Stock, we could identify with so many of them.

Pete Lanciers · 12-12-2019, 02:48 PM

So I'm gonna be a dissenter here, but before I state my position let me assure you I respect those of you that still hang and your opinions.

However for me Pro Stock died when they followed the NASCAR model departing from production based cars into today's jismless state. I very fondly recall the original evolution from SS & Modified Eliminator creating an environment that yielded the greatest innovators and innovations we have ever seen, without skewing the rules to render all but one engine combination noncompetitive. So while I can still enjoy some really good driving by today's competitors the state of today's Pro Stock Eliminator leaves me cold...

Tom P · 12-12-2019, 06:23 PM

Pete, as a Ford guy i'll proudly blame GM for that. They got the stock wheelbase rule thrown out for the Beretta, got to stretch the front end and move the rear wheels forward. They also got to use non-production based heads. Spread ports, symmetrical ports, then the front mounted belt drive distributor, then non production bore spacing.... at one time they used actual AR Boss 429 blocks in a GM Pro Stock car. And the Dodges were using a whole GM engine at one point.

And the same is happening to Stock and Super Stock bit by bit.

Dave Gantz · 12-12-2019, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom P

Pete, as a Ford guy i'll proudly blame GM for that. They got the stock wheelbase rule thrown out for the Beretta, got to stretch the front end and move the rear wheels forward. They also got to use non-production based heads. Spread ports, symmetrical ports, then the front mounted belt drive distributor, then non production bore spacing.... at one time they used actual AR Boss 429 blocks in a GM Pro Stock car. And the Dodges were using a whole GM engine at one point.

And the same is happening to Stock and Super Stock bit by bit.

Of course there was Grumpy getting the tube chassis accepted. '72, I think?

bigshow2966 · 12-13-2019, 05:25 AM

You used to have 2 or 3 guys get together and buy a 1 or 2 year old car and a motor and run the local tracks. They would try to run with the big guys when they showed up and might steal a win now and then. It was great.

I say cut down the number of national events and bring back local match racing.

12-11-2019, 10:25 PM	#1
melvin wellman Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: boulder, mt Posts: 14 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	50 years of pro stock I think the first year for nhra pro stock was 1970. Just wondered if anyone thought that nhra should or could find a way to celebrate that. I know this has nothing to do with S&SS, so If this sounds dumb or is out of line just ignore it and let it fade away.

12-11-2019, 10:59 PM	#2
Tom P Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 691 Likes: 28 Liked 213 Times in 85 Posts	Re: 50 years of pro stock At the SEMA show the theme of the NHRA Breakfast was 50 years of ProStock, they had Warren Johnson, Greg Anderson, Jeg Coughlin Jr, Erica Enders and Herb McCandless on stage. I think they have something going on at the Gatornationals about that. I suppose it should be at Pomona since that is where the first race 50 years ago was. The bad part of course is that with so much attrition it would be easier to round up 50 funny car stars of the 60's than 50 Pro Stock stars of the 70's . RIP to Grumpy, Dyno Don, Ronnie Sox, Bob Glidden, Dick Landy, Reid Whisnant, etc, etc, etc... Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Tom P; 12-11-2019 at 11:11 PM.

12-12-2019, 12:11 AM	#3
melvin wellman Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: boulder, mt Posts: 14 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: 50 years of pro stock I did not realize that, and I know what you are saying. Thanks, mel.

12-12-2019, 12:12 PM	#4
340Cuda VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 1,567 Likes: 3,152 Liked 677 Times in 290 Posts	Re: 50 years of pro stock While I wish Pro Stock was more like it was in the 70's its not and I wish there were more Mopar's to cheer on. However I still enjoy it. I have found I look at it more like Funny Car and Top Fuel, generic cars with generic engines.

12-12-2019, 12:26 PM	#5
Carguy49 VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Fife, Washington Posts: 1,839 Likes: 1,758 Liked 2,225 Times in 594 Posts	Re: 50 years of pro stock I have loved Pro Stock since the start. The innovation and multiple combos made it fun back in the day. Today it is basically Pro Camaro. Not the same draw for me as it was. Today there are about 40 Cars in the class. At one time there were about 35 cars just in Division 6, and I am sure the other divisions had a similar number. __________________ Ron McDowell - Did Race Every day is a Gift - Enjoy with family and friends.

12-12-2019, 02:48 PM	#7
Pete Lanciers Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 368 Likes: 807 Liked 562 Times in 145 Posts	Re: 50 years of pro stock So I'm gonna be a dissenter here, but before I state my position let me assure you I respect those of you that still hang and your opinions. However for me Pro Stock died when they followed the NASCAR model departing from production based cars into today's jismless state. I very fondly recall the original evolution from SS & Modified Eliminator creating an environment that yielded the greatest innovators and innovations we have ever seen, without skewing the rules to render all but one engine combination noncompetitive. So while I can still enjoy some really good driving by today's competitors the state of today's Pro Stock Eliminator leaves me cold... __________________ Pete Lanciers PAL Automotive Racing Stock 7801

12-12-2019, 06:23 PM	#8
Tom P Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 691 Likes: 28 Liked 213 Times in 85 Posts	Re: 50 years of pro stock Pete, as a Ford guy i'll proudly blame GM for that. They got the stock wheelbase rule thrown out for the Beretta, got to stretch the front end and move the rear wheels forward. They also got to use non-production based heads. Spread ports, symmetrical ports, then the front mounted belt drive distributor, then non production bore spacing.... at one time they used actual AR Boss 429 blocks in a GM Pro Stock car. And the Dodges were using a whole GM engine at one point. And the same is happening to Stock and Super Stock bit by bit.

12-13-2019, 05:25 AM	#10
bigshow2966 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: chicago Posts: 616 Likes: 389 Liked 81 Times in 35 Posts	Re: 50 years of pro stock You used to have 2 or 3 guys get together and buy a 1 or 2 year old car and a motor and run the local tracks. They would try to run with the big guys when they showed up and might steal a win now and then. It was great. I say cut down the number of national events and bring back local match racing.

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