Ruth, Hall and Gapp Claim “World Champion” Titles

PRO STOCK

AMARILLO, TEXAS

It just had to end up being a battle of the “factories” as the Fords of Gapp and Roush, Nicholson and Glidden and Allen were looking mighty strong over the Mopars of Reid Whisnant, Oscar Roberts and Irv Beringhaus and the others. The Vegas of Paul Blevins, Grumpy, Lynn Harrison and Sonny Bryant’s ‘lonely big block’ had their work cut out for them for the Chevrolet camp.

Bob Riffle’s 9.48 – 145.16 was too much ofr the Duster of Oscar Robert’s car Roberts 9.65 – 142.40. Next up was Royce Freeman who drew some tough competition from Reid Whisnant and his Duster. Freeman’s 9.84 – 136.78 was enough to make a spectator out of Whisnant with his 9.95 – 141.95. Lynn Harrison’s Vega twisted a 9.67 – 139.75 off to beat William Parris and his Demon’s 9.78 – 140.62.

Grumpy ran a 9.34 – 145.86 to trailer Don McLavey’s Demon at 10.03 – 138.46. Wayne Gapp in the Gapp and Roush Pinto turnon on the Ford fans by beating Irv Beringhaus’ Duster 9.41 – 147.05 to a losing 9.84 – 139.53. Sonny Bryant’s big block Camaro fell victim to the small block Vega of Paul Blevins 9.39 – 144.69 to Bryant’s 9.71 – 141.95. The ‘Ford Camp’ further cheered on for Bob Glidden and Pinto as it easily put away the Duster of John Hagen. Glidden garnered low e.t. of the round (and the meet thus far) with a 9.28 – 146.81 to Hagen’s 10.03 – 136.15.

Nicholson drew the bye and cut a 9.40 – 145.16 as only 15 cars made the call for the first round.

Glidden further enthused the Ford lovers by downing Paul Blevins 9.37 – 146.34 to 9.45 – 145.39 to open round two. Jenkins primed the Chevrolet fans once more by defeating the Dodge Sport of Bob Riffle 9.33 – 145.63 to Riffle’s 9.58 – 144.69. Nicholson’s 9.39 – 147.54 was more than enough to win over Royce Freeman’s 9.78 – 138.61. Gapp and Roush closed out the round by shutting down Lynn Harrison’s Vega 9.23 – 147.29 to 9.72 – 139.53. Another Ford over Chevrolet win and another…yet lower e.t. meet/track record for Gapp and Roush…and remember these times are at 3700 feet altitude (and are unfactored except in the case of a new national record)!

It had come about with the way the Fords were dominating the scene…in a semi-final round it was 3 Fords versus the Chevrolet of none other than Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins.

The first pairing of round 3 saw Gapp and Roush square off against a car they built…the ‘like-Pinto’ of Glidden and Allen. Kinda’ tough to ‘run what ya brung’…and ‘what ya’ built’…but so goes it! Gapp took the win and a ‘triple timer’ low e.t. of 9.22 at 146.57 to Glidden’s 9.31 – 146.34. Grump trailered Dyno with a 9.34 – 145.39 ‘go’ to Nicholson’s 9.37 – 144.92 to create the ‘factory showdown’ final!

The Ford fans were ‘quivering’ with excitement as Grumpy was no ‘light hitter’, but the blink of a green, Gapp was gone and Grump in pursuit. It’s not often one ‘cuts a light’ on Grumpy but Gapp did it with the excellence of a surgeon and ‘put a Pinto’ in the winner’s circle with a win and a new national records!! 9.17 – 149 flat to Jenkin’s 9.35 – 145.86. The 9.17 factored (again, due to the altitude of 3700′) becomes a 8.89. So, Gapp not only beat Jenkins but he also eclipsed the Grump’s national record of 8.91 with their 8.89 – Ford definitely ‘had a better idea’ with Pinto and Gapp & Roush.

AMARILLO, TEXAS — Ralph Hansen, President of Accel, shakes hands with Wayne Gapp congratulating him on his Pro Stock victory.