Don Fezell — 50 Years of Cobra Jets

[Jim D'Amore]

Don Fezell at the age 81, is not the most computer savvy, so this post is made for him. Don would like to thank Alan Reinhart, Lewis Bloom, Evan Smith and the whole NHRA Staff for their kind words about his lifelong dedication to the NHRA and his Cobra Jet nicknamed “Sally.”

Don has been racing NHRA since 1959, and has been in a Cobra Jet since 1968. His racecar is everything to him, and had recently won class at the baby gators, and went 5 rounds in super stock. With the amount of cars in the showdown, Don knew it would be tough competition, but he stayed the extra week to race the showdown regardless of knowing how fast the class would be. This is the first time since 2011 at his first showdown race Ford did not recognize Don and Sally as part of Team Cobra Jet, and Mike Delehanty went as far to refuse Don a Team Cobra Jet sticker. The fastest Sally has been is an 8.10 at 168 miles per hour. After the Gators, he brought the car directly back to address some of the issues and hopefully being able to make Sally run in the 7’s at Charlotte to be part of Team Cobra Jet again. Charlotte is the home to the first 8 second stocker, which was Don and Sally on April 14th 2012. He is in the hopes of Sally running 7’s at Charlotte. Here was Don at the first showdown.



Above is Don's first Showdown pass in 2011


There were no COPO's in 2011, just Dragpack's and Cobra Jet's




P.s. If you asked Don in 1968 if he would be on Sunoco Vision, he would have never dreamed of it.

[DanGrippo]

Jim, does it still have a 5.4 or is a 5.0 now?

[Jim D'Amore]

Originally Posted by DanGrippo

Jim, does it still have a 5.4 or is a 5.0 now?

Yes it's still last years motor, the 5.4L and he plans to stick with this combination for durability.

[Dan Lattimore]

Sounds like another case of ------"Screw all that !! -- What have you done for me today !! " -------- Outstanding accomplishments by Mr. Fezell

[Jim D'Amore]

Another Cobra Jet racer offered Don his stickers that was very cool

[HR9121]

I have had the pleasure of racing Mr Fezell a few times, if you call it that when you're driving an 11 second car and he's a class act. Great guy and deserves any accolades that comes his way. So cool to see someone as loyal as he has been to Ford.

[Superfan1]

Originally Posted by Jim D'Amore

Yes it's still last years motor, the 5.4L and he plans to stick with this combination for durability.

Jim, do you think that the new 327 will have the same durability issues as the 302?

[Jim D'Amore]

Bill,


The 3.800" stroke crank is what makes it a 327. This is the only difference from the 302. As you know, NHRA allows .080" overbore so the 302's were already at 314 inches. In my 3 hour meeting with ford performance in Norwalk, this is what I had suggested to them to be more competitive with the 350 COPO's and the 354 Dragpacks. Any more stroke would have made the rod angle ugly.


As for durability following Skillman's car from testing through Gainesville, I don't know exactly how many passes are on that motor I would guess somewhere between 20 and 30. My hat's off to Chris Holbrook. It's a happy fast motor.


Jim

[D.Johns]

Don Fezell is the man! Such an incredibly nice guy who has been doing what he loves for so long. He is a successful business man, racer and personal relationships with everyone. Don is certainly someone you can look up to!

Thank you Don for being an inspiration. Congratulations on the accomplishments with more to come with no sign of slowing down.

[Gary Summers]

Don and Ron are a class act I'm glad to be able to call them both my good friends so keep up the good work