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NEWS &
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Mopar HEMI Challenge Series Kicks Off at the 8th Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion in Bowling Green!
BOWLING GREEN, Ky.– The popular Mopar HEMI Challenge Race Series is adding more fuel to the roaring 8th annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion on Father’s Day weekend. The exciting Mopar HEMI Challenge Race Series showcases the world’s fastest Super Stock race cars igniting more thrills for fans of the Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion (June 18-20) at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Ky. “We are excited to bring this new spectacular attraction to the Reunion for the first time ever. Fans are truly going to get a great show,” said Tony Thacker, Reunion director. This event will be the first of three Mopar HEMI Challenge races in 2010. Super Stock/A-HEMI (SS/AH) drivers scheduled to make the trek to Bowling Green include U.S. Nationals winner Charlie Westcott Sr. and 2008 HEMI Challenge series champion Charlie Wescott Jr. Also vying for the HEMI Challenge championship at Beech Bend are Gary Wolkwitz, Bob Buntin, Jeff Kobylski, Chuck Cornella, Don Bales with his award-winning Plymouth Barracuda, the HEMI that took the 2009 U.S. Nationals Best Appearing Car trophy and many others. “These dedicated racers who compete in the Mopar HEMI Challenge buy Mopar parts from Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge or Ram dealerships and pour money, time and sweat into their Mopar HEMI-powered race cars. They are great examples of the passion for the Mopar brand that exists in the drag-racing community,” said Pietro Gorlier, President & CEO, Mopar Service, Parts & Customer Care, Chrysler Group LLC. The Mopar HEMI Challenge Series will conclude at the JEGS Northern SPORTSnationals, Sept. 24-26, at National Trail Raceway near Columbus, Ohio. The winner at the Holley National Hot Rod Reunion and JEGS Northern SPORTSnationals will earn $5,000 apiece. All three Mopar HEMI Challenge races will be stand-alone events. The annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, June 18-20, will be held at the historic Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, KY. Three-day credentials ($55 each) are available by calling 800/884-NHRA or online at http://store.nhra.com. To purchase tickets outside the U.S., please call (626) 250-2497. One-day adult tickets will be available at the gate. Children 16 and under are admitted free at the gate when accompanied by paid adult. For more Reunion information, visit http://museum.nhra.com.
The Wild Winged Express is Coming to the 8th Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion Father’s Day Weekend, June 18-20 at Beech Bend Raceway Park
BOWLING GREEN, KY. (April 21, 2010) – In the 1960s, the term “wild ride” could have possibly been coined after seeing Wild Willie Borsch driving the Winged Express AA/Fuel Altered one handed. Reaching speeds over 200 mph, the Marcellus and Borsch Winged Express was one of the wildest Fuel Altereds of the era, and always kept the grandstands packed with thrill-seeking fans anticipating the next crazy pass. One of the most memorable photographs of Wild Willie driving in his usual one-handed style was captured by drag racing photographer Bob McClurg at the 1972 NHRA Winternationals at Pomona (image attached). No Photoshop here, folks! Today, the Winged Express is driven by Mike Boyd who is just as daring as the late Wild Willie. Fifty years later, the Winged Express continues to wow the crowds and will make its only east coast appearance at the annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion. The 8th Annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, scheduled for June 18-20, Father’s Day weekend, is a spectacular and unique event that combines all the excitement of a nostalgia drag race with the coolness of a rod and custom show at the famous Beech Bend Raceway in the beautiful rolling hills of Kentucky. Besides the Winged Express, see more than 300 race cars including both Top Fuel and Funny Car and gassers. Couple that with almost 2,000 rods, customs, classics, trucks and rat rods, a swap meet, a vendor midway and so much more including the amazing Cacklefest on Saturday evening. Entrance is just $20 per day for Friday and Saturday and on Sunday it’s only $15. The first 1,000 spectators through the gate on Sunday will get a free Mattel Hot Wheels in honor of Father’s Day. The best value is to purchase credentials prior to May 29, 2010 which includes three days of admission, a goody bag with Reunion program, commemorative dash plaque and laminated credential card. Three-day credentials ($55 each) are available by calling 800/884-NHRA or online at http://store.nhra.com; outside the U.S. call (626) 250-2497. One-day tickets will be available at the gate. An even better deal is that children 16 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information, visit http://museum.nhra.com
Grand Marshal of the 8th annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion
Enjoying Life on the Quarter-Mile and Showing No Signs of SlowingBOWLING GREEN, KY -- Chris “The Greek” Karamesines, who is still racing Top Fuel dragsters at age 81, has been selected as the 8th annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion’s Grand Marshal. He is a member of the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. He has participated in the sport for over 50 years and continues to amaze the masses. “At an age when most would rather be relaxing at home, “The Greek” Karamesines continues to drive a 7,000-horsepower Top Fuel dragster and shows no signs of slowing down,” said Tony Thacker, executive director of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum and event organizer. “It’s a huge honor for us to recognize one of drag racing’s titans Chris “The Greek” Karamesines as the Grand Marshal of this year’s Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion at Beech Bend Raceway.”Call him the “Crazy Greek”, the “Golden Greek”, or simply “The Greek”, Chicago’s Chris Karamesines has been one of the most colorful and popular characters in drag racing history. In the days of front-engine tire smoking fuelers, there was no one more fun to watch. While he’s never won an NHRA national event, he’s more than made up for it with showmanship, competitive performances, and charming personality. He first came to national prominence with his Top Eliminator win at the 1959 AHRA Nationals in Great Bend, Kansas. On April 4, 1960 at Alton, Illinois he was credited with a run of 204.54 mph. Controversial and questionable to be sure coming years before consistent 200-mph speeds, that performance nevertheless cemented “the Greek’s” name in drag racing history. Other career highlights include qualifying No. 1 at the ’63 and ’64 Bakersfield March Meet with the first 7 sec. et, two wins at the World Series of Drag Racing in Cordova, the ’65 Olympics of Drag Racing at Union Grove, and the ’66 AHRA Grand American Finale. Longtime friend and 2009 NHRR Honoree Bob Stange has backed “The Greek” for years yet he remains an independent racer. In 1990 he ran the full NHRA schedule and finished just 36 points out of the top 10. Without a single NHRA win, he was voted Number 30 on NHRA’s Top 50 Drivers list. In the ‘60s, tales of Karamesines’ bravado spread across the country creating one of drag racing’s first larger-than-life legends. In 1962, while racing Tommy Ivo at San Gabriel Drag Strip, Karamesines went off the strip into the dirt, only to return to the strip and still reach the finish line first. At Lions in 1963, Karamesines” Chizler got completely sideways at the finish line yet avoided certain disaster in a 190-mph win over the nearly unbeatable Greer, Black and Prudhomme fueler. Just as Hall of Famers “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, Shirley Muldowney and “T.V. Tommy” Ivo played significant roles in developing the popularity of drag racing so too has Chris Karamesines. But unlike his previously named former opponents, he’s still driving his 7,000-horsepower Top Fuel dragster and as this is written has qualified for the first two national events of the NHRA season at age 81. Also being recognized at the 8th Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion are Honorees Joe Jacono, J.E. Kristek, Leffler Bros. & Loukas, T.C. Lemons and Larry Reyes. The Justice Brothers Car Care Products Reunion Spotlight falls on the Ford Drag Team. For more information about the 8th annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, please visit the Museum’s web site at http://museum.nhra.com. Tickets for the event are available by calling 1-800/884-NHRA (6472). Click here to purchase tickets online. Drag Strip Legends Honored at the 8th Annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion
BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY (March 26, 2010) – “Big Daddy” Don Garlits’ witty Crew Chief T.C. Lemons and early Funny Car Superstar Larry Reyes are among this year’s Honorees for the 8th annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion held at the historic Beech Bend Raceway Park on Fathers’ Day weekend, June 18-20. This year’s Honorees are Joe Jacono, J.E. Kristek, Leffler Brothers & Loukas, T.C. Lemons and Larry Reyes. Grand Marshal Chris “The Greek” Karamesines will lead this legendary pack to the annual nostalgic drag racing pilgrimage to Bowling Green. The Justice Brothers Reunion Spotlight will shine on the Ford Drag Team. All Honorees and many others will be recognized at the Reunion Honoree Reception on Friday, June 18 at the Holiday Inn Convention Center, host hotel for the Reunion. “Bringing together pioneers and legends of the drag strip is one of the reasons behind the success of the annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion,” said Tony Thacker, executive director of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, which produces the annual event. “It’s a great revival of legends, and this year’s Honorees are going to be unforgettable and lots of fun.”
Grand Marshal – Chris “The Greek” Karamesines Call him the “Crazy Greek”, the “Golden Greek”, or simply “the Greek”, Chicago’s Chris Karamesines has been one of the most colorful and popular characters in drag racing for over fifty years. He is a member of the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. He’s still driving his 7,000 horsepower Top Fuel dragster at age 81.
Honoree
– Joe Jacono
Honoree – J.E. Kristek
Honorees – Leffler Brothers and Loukas
Honoree – T.C. Lemons
Honoree – Larry Reyes
An early Funny Car
Superstar, Larry Reyes drove such legendary entries as “The Kingfish”, the
first “Hawaiian”, the Candies &
Show it, Win it, and Take it to Indy!
Winners of the SoffSeal Show ’N Shine at the Holley NHRA National Hot Rod
Reunion get to attend the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indy; Entry Forms
Available at http://museum.nhra.com
BOWLING GREEN, KY. – Show it, win it and take it to Indy is the incentive for hundreds of contestants in the annual SoffSeal Show ’N Shine at the 8th Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, June 18-20, Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Ky. Every year hundreds of cars, ranging from muscle cars, rods and trucks, to classics and customs, drive in from across the country to participate in the annuars are selected from various categories including Classic, Classic Chevy 1955-1957, Custom, Hot Rod, Memory Lane, Muscle Car, Pro Street, Rat Rod, Street Rod, and Trucks The competition will be fierce. The 10 Best of the Best winners, as well as the Top 50 entries from the Reunion, will be invited to the 56th Annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil (Sept. 1-6) at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. All participants will receive a special memento of the occasion and the winner will receive the coveted Bob Daniels Award of Excellence courtesy of SoffSeal. “What’s really cool about the annual SoffSeal Show ’N Shine at the Reunion is the diversity of vehicles,” said Tony Thacker, executive director of the nonprofit Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, which produces and benefits from the event. “There is everything from classic Chevy pickups to rat rods. There is something for everybody and the competition is pretty tough! The Memory Lane static display in the vendor oval is also a unique experience for Reunion spectators. Memory Lane is made up of numerous vintage and historic race cars no longer running but still amazing machines to admire. Memory Lane participants are also eligible for the Top 50 award and the trip to Indy. To participate in the Show ’N Shine or Memory Lane display, please complete the entry form available on the Reunion website, http://museum.nhra.com. All entries must be received by May 29, 2010. Questions, please call at 909/622-8562. Three-day credentials ($55 each) are available by calling 800/884-NHRA or online at http://store.nhra.com. To purchase tickets outside the U.S., please call (626) 250-2497. One-day adult tickets will be available at the gate. Children 16 and under are admitted free at the gate when accompanied by paid adult. For more Reunion information, visit http://museum.nhra.com Honorees Announced for the 19th Annual NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion, presented by Automobile Club of Southern California, Oct. 15-17, 2010
Keep Checking back for the Latest from the NHRA Museum
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Called by “Big Daddy” Don
Garlits “one of fuel racing’s true unsung heroes”, San Antonio’s J.E.
Kristek was a pioneer tuner of Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars. In the
early ‘60s the CKC team of Carl Callier, J.E. Kristek, and Buddy Cortines
earned the reputation of “giant killers” in NHRA Division Four Top Fuel
ranks with their small-block Chevy-powered “orange car”. In 1965 Carl’s son
Fritz joined the team and they built what was then known as a Factory
Experimental Stocker. Using a rare fiberglass Chevy II fastback built by
Bill Thomas, they installed a Z-11 427 and four-speed and went drag racing.
Eventually with an injected nitro-burning 396/427 they ran low 9’s at
150-mph. In November of ’67 a blown big-block powered Don Hardy Camaro
replaced the Chevy II and they were runner-up to Gene Snow at the ’69 AHRA
Spring Nationals. Cortines went dragster racing and Callier and Kristek (the
second “C” then stood for Chevy) continued Funny Car racing until 1974. J.E.
came out of retirement to tune Jody Smart’s Top Fueler to strong showings on
the NHRA tour in the early 1980s. In 2005 Gordon Chisenhall restored the CKC
Vega and Kristek rebuilt the Ramchargers Hemi for the project and tunes it
for Cacklefest events.
After
a street driven Olds-powered Model A, Parma, Ohio’s John Loukas decided to
build a drag coupe in 1957 with his neighbors Neil and Lyn Leffler. An
aluminum channel frame barely supported the Bantam body and the Olds out of
the roadster. A switch to a carbureted Chrysler resulted in ten second, 130
mph times. In 1959 a new longer tube chassis and a supercharger dropped
times into the nines at nearly 160 mph. Within months they won the World
Series at Cordova. Near the end of the year the duo relocated to Southern
California where Loukas went to work for Weiand and Neil Leffler for Chassis
Research. After a runner-up finish to Top Eliminator Ted Cyr at the ‘60
March Meet, at the ’62 event their “World’s Fastest Coupe” defeated the
legendary Speed Sport “World’s Fastest Roadster” and set a 1320 record of
9.03 at 173.96 mph. That summer Loukas returned to Ohio while Leffler drove
a wide variety of California dragsters and funny cars into the 1970s. Loukas
and Bob Preising raced the coupe out of Chris Karamesines’ Engine
Specialists until it was retired in 1971. After 25 years on display in the
Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing, Loukas took the car home to Minnesota in
2000 where it was put in running condition to participate in the popular
Cacklefest events driven by such luminaries as Leffler, Karamesines and T.V.
Tommy Ivo.
“If you haven’t spent time
with T.C. Lemons, you’re drag racing culturally deprived,” said Museum
Boardmember Steve Gibbs. Over the years, Tom “T.C.” Lemons has been “Big
Daddy” Don Garlits most celebrated crew member and “the only guy Garlits has
fired in each of five consecutive decades”. He went to his first drag race
in Tulsa in 1954 and raced his own Chrysler-powered ’32 Ford at the ’57 NHRA
Nationals in Oklahoma City. He raced with the best in the ‘60s including
Southwest terrors Bob Creitz, Jimmy Nix and Bennie Osborn. In 1968 he and
Connie Swingle went to Tampa with the intention of helping to build cars and
trade labor for a chassis. Except for brief periods, they never went home to
Oklahoma. T.C. became Garlits crew chief and of those simpler times he says,
“I was the whole crew.” It’s been said that Lemons had as much talent
outside the car as Garlits had in it. He was instrumental in perfecting
Swamp Rat 14, the rear engine dragster that revolutionized the sport in
1971. He was involved in the construction of 19 different Swamp Rats and
restored many of the race cars in the Garlits Museum. 
