“Grumpy” Jenkins’ status as an NHRA legend is uncontested. Wheeling a number of violent Chevrolets, Jenkins was an engineer first, racer second, and tolerated no fools at the line. His line of Grumpy’s Toy cars were well-built machines that were something to seriously be feared by other competitors in Super Stock and Pro Stock. Running against such competition as Dick Landy, Ronnie Sox and Don Nicholson, Grumpy strived for consistency and clean performances. This footage from the 1968 NHRA Nationals takes a look in and around Jenkins’ world as the race unfolds. You’ll get interviews aplenty, looks around the cars and of course, great historical drag racing footage. They just don’t make ’em like this anymore…
With the gear ratios these cars ran, I was surprised by the time between shifts.
The guy with the cigar is Dick Landy, not Jenkins.
OOPS. No, I was wrong. It’s Jenkins.
I. My hero from 1970 on.
He did so much more for the sport, and helped so many racers. Truly a genius.
R.I.P Bill
We not only had the greatest music we also had the best drag race classes to compete in……. spectators came.! Loved to watch Bill J. compete. D.K.