Flashback! Mopar® Vehicles at Pomona!
3 years ago Gallery Heritage
With the upcoming National Hot Rod Association “Auto Club NHRA Finals” event November 10-13, it makes for an ideal time to look back at the rich Mopar® history at the well-known quarter-mile drag strip, with a nostalgic eye back to the 1980s and ’90s timeframe.
The Pomona Raceway, now known as “Auto Club Raceway”, was first opened in 1952 at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds, and the story for this famous drag strip ties into Pomona Police Chief Ralph Parker, who was a hot rod enthusiast himself. He was instrumental in getting permission by LA County to allow a track to be built. The general idea was to keep racing off the streets. The first Winternationals came in 1961. The World Finals came to Pomona in 1984. One thing that the NHRA did a number of years ago was to erect a street sign on the track named “Parker Avenue” to honor the man that did so much in the early days to give birth to the dragstrip in Pomona, Chief Ralph Parker.
A scheduling note for Pomona 2023: The Lucas Oil Winternationals will take place March 30 – April 2, 2023, now being the third national event on the NHRA circuit to best deal with team travel logistics. Here’s a selection of vintage 35mm slide film images I shot at numerous Pomona events from 1984 to 1999 as a credentialed starting line photographer. There’s no question that Mopar cars provided the speed, performance and visuals for an exciting era!
Author: James Maxwell
Shirley Muldowney, the undisputed “First Lady of Drag Racing” shown at the 1984 Winternationals in her Pioneer Stereo, then tuned by Ron Tobler. She was the first female to obtain a Top Fuel license from NHRA, and the 1983 “Heart Like A Wheel” did much to promote her and drag racing as a whole. 
It’s Linda Vaughn, known world-wide as “Miss Hurst” and the year at Pomona was 1984. Linda has long been adored from her days touring the country at drag strips promoting Hurst shifters! 
The sleek Dodge Daytona AA/FC “St. Moritz” chartreuse-hued car approaching the water box at the 1985 World Finals, driven by Jim White, owned by Dick Moritz from Tulsa, OK. 
The DeFrank & Cohen ’68 Hemi Barracuda, shown here performing a burnout at the 1986 Winternationals. Later that year, this car won S/S Eliminator at the World Finals, running as quick as 9.46 in qualifying with the colorful wheelstanding SS/AA entry. 
Steve Evans of Diamond P Sports interviewing Shirley Muldowney at the ’86 Winternationals. She returned to competition after a 19-month layoff, with a Performance Automotive Wholesale-sponsored car after a devastating crash in Canada, in June of 1984. 
“Big Daddy” Don Garlits teamed up with his old partner Art Malone and with support from the Super Shops, his car in 1986 was quite competitive, winning the Cragar / Weld top Fuel Classic. His winning time was 5.35 seconds at 266.19 mph. He also won the 1986 points championship. 
“Big Daddy” Don Garlits teamed up with his old partner Art Malone and with support from the Super Shops, his car in 1986 was quite competitive, winning the Cragar / Weld top Fuel Classic. His winning time was 5.35 seconds at 266.19 mph. He also won the 1986 points championship. 
“Big Daddy” Don Garlits teamed up with his old partner Art Malone and with support from the Super Shops, his car in 1986 was quite competitive, winning the Cragar / Weld top Fuel Classic. His winning time was 5.35 seconds at 266.19 mph. He also won the 1986 points championship. 
The Ex-Paul Rossi Direct Connection ’68 BO29 SS/AA car, shown here launching at the 1987 Winternationals, driven by Rick Houser and owned by George Wejbe. 
“Blue Thunder” was a New Jersey-based Nitro Funny Car from Jerry Caminito, shown here in 1988 at the World Finals. 
It was 1989, Darrell Alderman in the B1 Wedge Dodge Daytona, then sponsored by the Exide High Performance Battery Company and Mobil 1. A true crowd favorite, seeing the return of a Dodge to the NHRA Pro Stock world. It soon went on to see victory at the Gatornationals with a 7.39 at 186 mph. That was the first Chrysler-powered Pro Stock win since 1979 (Bob Glidden’s Arrow). 
Shown in the late 1980s at the Winternationals, the Earl Kluft ’65 Dodge Coronet Super Stocker WO51 car, 426 Race Hemi with cross ram intake. Note the deletion of the high-beam headlights, as delivered from the factory. Grand-Spaulding markings done as a tribute to the famous Chicago-based Dodge dealer. 
San Diego, CA’s Bob Elliott with his sanitary ’63 A/SA Plymouth Savoy, shown here on a 10.78-second dial-in during the ’89 Finals. 
Marlin Bogner’s F/SA Plymouth Duster, circa early ’90s, run out of Kearney, NB. 360-cid with 904 Torqueflite, dialed in at 11.91 seconds. 
John Friel was an early engine customer of Ray Barton, and his 1968 Hemi Dart was a contender as a result. Shown here pulling the wheels at the 1990 Winternationals, the car at this point in time was running in the 9.40-second range. 
It was somewhere in the early 1990s timeframe at a World Finals Pomona event when “Captain Supercharger!” appeared, complete with modified cowboy hat and custom-theme fashion short! 
In mid-1990 the Snickers Dodge Daytona from “Circle A Racing” debuted, owned by E.B. “Ed” Abel, Jr. With Mike Dunn driving and father Jim Dunn crew chief, this high caliber Nitro Funny Car was short lived but well performing. 
It’s 1991 Miss Mopar Performance Leslie Rabb, inside the Mopar Parts display at the Winternationals, along side Darrell Alderman’s Dodge Daytona Pro Stock. 
With a 9.66-second dial in, Michael Doll the former “Billy The Kid” Stepp ’68 Hemi Barracuda SS/AA car preparing for a run at the ’91 Winternationals. 
Roland Leong’s Jim White-driven Dodge Daytona,1991 Winternationals. Del Monte Corporation supported the team with their “Hawaiian Punch” brand. 
Running the ’91 Winston Finals, Frank Hawley in the Darrell Gwynn Racing Coors Light Top Fueler. 
“Miss Mopar Performance” Janine Buck posing with the ’91 Scott Geoffrion display car. 
Bob Riggle found a ’66 Barracuda and created a “Hurst Hemi Under Glass” wheelstander with it, complete with injected 426 Hemi powerplant. Shown here entertaining the fans at Pomona in the early 1990s. 
The newly formed “Mooneyes” team of Jim Dunn and Japanese citizen Kenji Okazaki, circa 1992, Winternationals Pomona. Kenji a Mopar muscle car dealer from Tokyo, became a popular Funny Car driver. 
I/SA ’73 ‘Cuda showing some daylight under the front wheels on a run at the 1992 World Finals, Ron Neeley’s Division 7 car with 360-cid power. 
In 1992 Scott Geoffrion took over as lead driver for the Mopar / Wayne County Pro Stock organization and appeared in six finals, plus set the NHRA ET record at 7.099. 
Gene Buell in the former Al Corda-Super Shops A/SA Plymouth Belvedere, 426 Max Wedge cross-ram power, burning out in preparation for a run circa early-’90s. 
Also from the same early ’90s, Vince Sardisco’s A/SA ’64 Savoy, 426 cross-ram Max Wedge with dial in at 10.64. 
Bill Bushmaker AKA “Willie B” smoking the Firestones at the ’92 Finals, on the way to a 12.23-second dial-in run in his J/SA ’77 Plymouth Volaré. 
“Nobody beats the WIZ” sponsored Chuck Etchells during the 1992 season, and shown here with al his various secondary sponsors including Mopar Performance! 
In 1992 Don Garlits experienced eye retina problems and turned over driving duties to veteran Funny Car driver Bruce Larson for 1993, shown here at the World Finals in the Mono-wing Swamp Rat #34. “On my first run, Don’s car went straight down the track. There was no adapting; it was just fun!” 
The Chuck Rayburn ’71 440 Six Pak Challenger, running B/SA in the early ’90s Pomona. Incorporating the N94 functional fiberglass hood, the car was the winner at both the ’95 Winternationals and the ’99 Finals, and a former Stock Eliminator world champion. 
From the ’93 Winternationals, the IN-N-OUT Dodge Daytona AA/FC crewed by Bill Schultz and the Over The Hill Gang, Mark Oswald driving. 
It was a true storybook season performance wise in 1994 for the Pro Stock Dodges, here’s the two Wayne County Team cars of Darrell Alderman (left) and Scott Geoffrion (right) prior to the Pro Stock final round. Alderman won with a 7.091 ET at 194 mph. 
Al Corda’s A/SA Hemi ’70 Challenger, circa mid-1990s, with support from Mopar Parts and Tom Karay’s Town & Country Dodge, Hopkins, MN. Wheels-up dial-in with at 10.63 seconds. 
Now with Mopar sponsorship, the Don Garlits’ innovative Mono-wing car at the ’94 Winternationals, Bruce Larson at the controls. 
In the mid-1990s Riggle came back with a 1968 version of the car, this time done with a supercharged 426 Hemi including “zoomie” headers. It was a fast and wild ride to be certain! 
In the mid-1990s Riggle came back with a 1968 version of the car, this time done with a supercharged 426 Hemi including “zoomie” headers. It was a fast and wild ride to be certain! 
The 1995 season saw Ottumwa. Iowa’s Tommy Johnson, Jr., in the Team Mopar Top Fuel car at the season-opening Winternationals. It was a Johnson family program, with sister Wendy driving a carbureted Super Comp Special with same graphics. 
Heating up the slicks in the mid-’90s, Don Studley, Orange, CA, in the Precision Cylinder Heads ’74 360 Dart Sport. He went on to set numerous records with this S/S ’99 Dakota truck, also with 360 small block power. 
“Big Jim” Dunn with Kenji Okazaki strapped inside the Mooneyes Dodge Avenger, waiting to run at Pomona 1997. 
Skuza Motorsport’s Matco Tools Dodge, Keith Black 496-cid aluminum Hemi, owner Don Skuza, driver son Dean. Lance Larsen, Ronnie Swearingen co-crew chiefs. Shown at the ’97 Winternationals. 
Chuck Etchells with Kendall Oil sponsorship ran this Dodge Avenger in 1997, Tim Richards as crew chief, Steve Pleuger chassis with body shell manufactured with Mopar approval by Hairy Glass. 
For 1997 season Mike Dunn in the Mopar-backed Darrell Gwynn car, smoking the tires on a burnout at the Winston Finals. 
For 1997, it was “starting over” for the Dodge Boys, Darrell Alderman and Scott Geoffrion. Now with new team ownership from Dale Eicke and new powerplants, the two-car Dodge factory team now had a whole new look. 
For 1997, it was “starting over” for the Dodge Boys, Darrell Alderman and Scott Geoffrion. Now with new team ownership from Dale Eicke and new powerplants, the two-car Dodge factory team now had a whole new look. 
It’s Linda Vaughn, known world-wide as “Miss Hurst” and the year at Pomona was 1984. Linda has long been adored from her days touring the country at drag strips promoting Hurst shifters! 
Shown here in 1998, the Julie Jordan Modesto-based Plymouth Volaré in Road Runner trim, running in M/SA with a 12.66 dial-in. Julie’s dad Harry Holton famous for his Super Stock Hemi cars. 
Shown here in 1998, the Julie Jordan Modesto-based Plymouth Volaré in Road Runner trim, running in M/SA with a 12.66 dial-in. Julie’s dad Harry Holton famous for his Super Stock Hemi cars. 
Another M-body Road Runner, this one an unmarked Division 5 car running in I/SA with an 11.92-secong dial-in. 
Shown with a revised paint scheme, Scott Geoffrion in the 1998 Pro Stock Avenger. These cars ran on a 105-inch wheel base with chassis construction by Jerry Bickel. 
By the time 1998 rolled around, Linda Vaughn had joined “Prolong” and while everyone remembered her from the days of promoting Hurst Shifters, it was always fun to chat with her about the drag racing action of the day and from years past! 
At the ’98 running of the Winston Finals saw the restored 1954 Dodge Coronet Sierra Station Wagon hitched up to the NHRA Drag Safari trailer, like a time warp to the mid-1950s drag race action! 
Allen Johnson’s Avenger had gained factory support as shown here from the 1998 NHRA season, Winternationals and Winston Finals. With Johnson and Johnson power (Father Roy crew chief). 
Allen Johnson’s Avenger had gained factory support as shown here from the 1998 NHRA season, Winternationals and Winston Finals. With Johnson and Johnson power (Father Roy crew chief). 
Allen Johnson’s Avenger had gained factory support as shown here from the 1998 NHRA season, Winternationals and Winston Finals. With Johnson and Johnson power (Father Roy crew chief). 
With Dick Landy Industries markings on the front fender, here’s the Jerry Jenkins’ SS/AA ’68 Hemi Dart from Modesto, CA, burning out at the 1998 Winston Finals. 
The Matco Tools car of Dean Skuza, launching here at the ’98 Winternationals, with graphics promoting “Mopar Hemi Heads.” Dodge Avenger body running on 125-inch Murf McKinney chassis. 
The 1998 Mopar Top Fuel car, this was the sixth season that Mike Dunn drove for Darrell Gwynn, and at the Winternationals the car ran a 4.590 second run at 318.58 mph, Mike’s career best run at that time. 
The 1998 Mopar Top Fuel car, this was the sixth season that Mike Dunn drove for Darrell Gwynn, and at the Winternationals the car ran a 4.590 second run at 318.58 mph, Mike’s career best run at that time. 
Also in 1998, shown here at the Finals, it was a side show for lovers of high-revving small block drag race fans in the way of Pro Stock trucks. Robert Freeman’s 358-cid V8 Dodge Dakota launching on a run. 
The ’99 Finals was where the Dodge Avenger Pro Stocker driven by former NBA basketball player Larry Nance made an appearance, a Team Mopar entry. 
The “Mopar Parts” Top Fuel team (Mike Dunn driver, Darrell Gwynn team owner) saw victory at the 1999 Auto Club Finals at Pomona! Ken Veney and Larry Meyer crew chiefs. 
The “Mopar Parts” Top Fuel team (Mike Dunn driver, Darrell Gwynn team owner) saw victory at the 1999 Auto Club Finals at Pomona! Ken Veney and Larry Meyer crew chiefs. 
The “Mopar Parts” Top Fuel team (Mike Dunn driver, Darrell Gwynn team owner) saw victory at the 1999 Auto Club Finals at Pomona! Ken Veney and Larry Meyer crew chiefs. 
The T-shirt booth at NHRA in 1999 still included these neon-color tanks, “Speed Limit 300” was broken on March 20, 1992, Gainesville, FL, with the record-breaking run of 301.70 mph by Kenny Bernstein…now the shirts could be more accurate with “Speed Limit 340” for today, and with that being in the 1000-foot length as opposed to the 1320-foot previous speed record.
