(Photos by Bob Boudreau) – The cool thing about these photos from the 1972 NHRA Le Grandnational at Sanair Super Speedway outside of Montreal, Canada is that they have some big time historical significance. Although we have not seen the “hero” of the weekend yet, you will in some photos later this week. The guy we’re talking about is Art Marshall and the reason that this race and his name will forever be connected is because it was the last place and he was the last guy to ever win an NHRA national event in a front engine fuel car. So complete was the firestorm of change that swept the class after Garlits showed up and successfully ran his car that good slingshots were sold for pennies on the dollar to lower budget teams like Marshall and his band of speed shop guys from New Jersey. In fact, the car they raced is an ex-Don Prudhomme dragster that you’ll recognize for its weird and squarish body.
These photos capture some awesome cars and they capture some awesome candid moments as well with Buster Couch and a National Dragster guy that we cannot identify…can you? Rather than ramble on all day, we’ll just tell you to click the link below to enjoy Bob Boudreau’s photos. We have days more of these babies coming and we’re giving them to you in doses because we don’t want your brain to explode because of all the awesome.
Thank you…who first, editor or Bob Boudreau? I have not had the pleasure or privilege of seeing any time-period drag racing photos that are better than Boudreau’s. The sharpness of color, the action, the personalities of the era. As an older cat (72 the year of my HS graduation), I was a frequent spectator at Martin U.S. 131 Dragway, so the clarity of the photos brings breathtaking time traveling for me. Allow me to say, with all due pride, I never stooped low enough to buy a white belt, though, and I will always have that. No one can strip that from me. Cant wait until the next batch.