Wayne Gapp – The last race?

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.

AHRA Grandnationals 2
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.

AHRA Grandnationals 5
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.