In the summer of 1977 the AHRA (American Hot Rod Association) held the AHRA Grand Nationals at Dragway 42.
As far as I can tell this is the last drag racing event that my Dad won.
Wayne Gapp returned to the driver’s seat of the Gapp & Roush Pinto at the Grand Nationals and pulled off an upset win over the Team Jenkins Monza and driver Larry Lombardo. Gapp hit an 8.92, 153.32 while the quicker-runner Lombardo fell to broken drivetrain not far off the line.
Wayne Gapp (leaning against his Pinto) chats with Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins prior to the opening round of Pro Stock. Larry Lombardo was the pace-setter with the “Grump’s” Monza at a sizzling 8.71, 160.42 mph clip, but it was Gapp who ended up in the winner’s circle.