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...

Grey Ghost · 12-13-2019, 10:14 AM

My favorite class when it was lbs/cid...Comp eliminator on steroids. Maybe they could bring them back as a nostalgia class or work them into Comp Eliminator.

TOM KASCH · 12-14-2019, 04:32 PM

1970's our pictures:
https://public.fotki.com/tk3300/pro_stocks_of_the/

TOM KASCH · 12-14-2019, 04:34 PM

1980's Pro Stocks our pictures:
https://public.fotki.com/tk3300/pro_stock_of_the/

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: 707 Likes: 30 Liked 239 Times in 94 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: 1,672 Likes: 3,863 Liked 801 Times in 338 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: 1,979 Likes: 2,474 Liked 2,950 Times in 709 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: 382 Likes: 867 Liked 627 Times in 156 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

12-13-2019, 10:14 AM	#8
Grey Ghost Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Iowa Posts: 209 Likes: 422 Liked 210 Times in 88 Posts	Re: 50 years of pro stock My favorite class when it was lbs/cid...Comp eliminator on steroids. Maybe they could bring them back as a nostalgia class or work them into Comp Eliminator. __________________ Phil Vos

12-14-2019, 04:32 PM	#9
TOM KASCH VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: TOLEDO,OHIO Posts: 1,735 Likes: 0 Liked 241 Times in 100 Posts	Re: 50 years of pro stock 1970's our pictures: https://public.fotki.com/tk3300/pro_stocks_of_the/

12-14-2019, 04:34 PM	#10
TOM KASCH VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: TOLEDO,OHIO Posts: 1,735 Likes: 0 Liked 241 Times in 100 Posts	Re: 50 years of pro stock 1980's Pro Stocks our pictures: https://public.fotki.com/tk3300/pro_stock_of_the/