'71 Supernationals At OMS

[Tony Janes]

Paul forgot to mention that he won stock at the 1971 Supernationals.

[Rusty Gillis]

I raced there in 1970 and qualified 13th but red lighted in the first round. I raced Super Stock from 1970 - 1974 at most of the NHRA nationals and points meets in division 2 and Super Stockers never did water burn outs. I would lock the line lock spin the tires release the line lock than slam the brakes on and do it again as many time as I could before the starting line. No wonder my headers were smashed and I cracked the shock tower. I don't remember very much about the track other than it was a long ride back to Fl. with my dad trying to explain why I redlighted against Jim Hale.

[Gary Smith]

Rusty, did you only run at OMS or did you try any of the other SoCal track during your visit (i.e. Irwindale, Lions, etc.)? I remember a host of CJ cars at Lions on a few occasions, but was too young to know who was from where. Really ironic you run OMS and some 37 years later I get to run with you, this time in your native "backyard". Very cool!!!

[Rusty Gillis]

Gary,

In 1972 I made one run at Orange County during a Funny Car meet between the Winternationals and a race in Las Vegas. The record for SS/GA at the time was 11.43 and I won class at Pomona and during time trials ran 11.28 twice once on the brakes. At Orange County I went 11.18. I also went to the March meet in Bakersfield. I went to Irwindale one night before the Winternationals but didn't run the car.
In 1973 I had both my 1968 SS/FA and SS/GA at Pomona but was having problems. I did run the 1968 at Irwindale once before the Winternationals. I found out later that year I had a problem with my transmissions and not the engines.

Rusty

[Geerhead55]

I attended the 1974,75 and 79 events at Ontario. some of the highlights I recall were: in 74 being overwhelmed by the sheer size of the place, walking under the track as a pair of Top Fuel cars ran overhead, watching the Accel plywood finishline sign getting destroyed by the end of Sat. by flying debris, an engine exploding T/F car coasting all the way around the oval and stopping in the back of the staging lanes, Shirl Greer's F/C fire and all the Pro Stocks having the garages in the infield, and me and my buddies sleeping in the parking lot across the street.In 75, it was all about Garlits vs Beck and the battle of the 5.60 cars, Big' ran the 5.63 at 250.69 that stood for about 7or 8 years, watching Snake go the first 5 a .98 in the Army Monza, buying Superstock/Drag Illustrated for 3 years for 11 bucks from Phil Rubin, watching DeFrank and Cohen Hemi Cuda chase everybody down, sleeping in the parking lot again, but this time with my girlfriend( yes, shes now my wife of 32 years). In 79, seeing Rob Bruins lose to Garlits in T/F but becoming the only T/F world champion to never win an event,but doing it only on points, watching Allen Patterson's and Garley Daniel's Chevy IIs doing their thing, seeing Hutchens in the all conquering Opel G/T and finally sleeping in a nice hotel as my wife and I and another couple flew for the first time instead of driving. For the 10 years Ontario Motor Speedway was here it was the state of the art facility that you just had to experience. The lounge was deffinately THE place to hang out, especially when the sun came around in the afternoon and it started heating up. What a shame its not around anymore.
Danny Durham

[mannymen]

I vaguely remember cars driving onto a oval turn at the end of the track. Not sure where that was, but can anybody help out or does anyone have any video or pics of this? I had a large painting of Shirl Greer's F/C on my BR wall in the mid 70's, that a friend of my dad's painted. I had no idea who that was at the time, but thought the painting was cool being a 6 year old.