Lucas Oil to Sponsor the Greek

I remember him being interviewed a few years back and he was asked if he was going to run Indy and his response was " if I'm above ground "
 
Outstanding for the Greek!! Thanks Lucas.
I wonder if he will be able to get a new trailer now. The Chaparral he has must have been bought in the late 60's or early 70's.

Good luck Chris, couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
 
Last edited:
HAY FRAM Did ya see, the Greek isn't too old to have a sponsor.
Thanks; Lucas Oil. I'll remember this next time I need a product you sell.
 
NHRA states he is 79!! Didn't he turn 82 during the World Finals last year? Of course I'm not sure anyone really knows for sure.
 
Registered member said:
I wonder if he will be able to get a new trailer now. The Chaparral he has must have been bought in the late 60's or early 70's.
Click to expand...

Thanks Terry, you refreshed one of my favorite drag strip memories out of a mostly dead part of my brain.

In the early 80's a friend of mine and I decided to head down to Pomona (I think it was the Winternationals, can't remember the year) and as we were pulling into the lot heard the announcer say something about Don Garlits, which we weren't expecting.

We had totally lucked into the race where Big Daddy had decided to come test the waters in the NHRA again after having been pissed off at the NHRA for a while and had only been running AHRA races.

We ran over to where Garlits was pitted, which of course since the NHRA was pissed off at him also was way out in the middle of nowhere in the gravel and dirt.

But the fans were packed around his trailer anyway, and we wedged our way up to the front row to see our idol.

The big 18 wheeler based trailers were totally in place by then so we were shocked to see the relatively small Chapparal style triple axle trailer, of course with a bunch of AHRA record times plastered all over it.

But what really cracked me up was how short the trailer was, it looked like anyone over 5' 10" would bust their head every time walking in and out of it.

But then after watching them for a while we realized everybody on the crew was a short but tough and gnarly looking type (I think Art Malone was there also), so they didn't need a tall trailer, the shorty worked fine for them.

I believe Darrell Gwynn ended up beating Garlits and going on to win this race, but if anybody can remember exactly which race this was please let me know.
 
Registered member said:
Thanks Terry, you refreshed one of my favorite drag strip memories out of a mostly dead part of my brain.

In the early 80's a friend of mine and I decided to head down to Pomona (I think it was the Winternationals, can't remember the year) and as we were pulling into the lot heard the announcer say something about Don Garlits, which we weren't expecting.

We had totally lucked into the race where Big Daddy had decided to come test the waters in the NHRA again after having been pissed off at the NHRA for a while and had only been running AHRA races.

We ran over to where Garlits was pitted, which of course since the NHRA was pissed off at him also was way out in the middle of nowhere in the gravel and dirt.

But the fans were packed around his trailer anyway, and we wedged our way up to the front row to see our idol.

The big 18 wheeler based trailers were totally in place by then so we were shocked to see the relatively small Chapparal style triple axle trailer, of course with a bunch of AHRA record times plastered all over it.

But what really cracked me up was how short the trailer was, it looked like anyone over 5' 10" would bust their head every time walking in and out of it.

But then after watching them for a while we realized everybody on the crew was a short but tough and gnarly looking type (I think Art Malone was there also), so they didn't need a tall trailer, the shorty worked fine for them.

I believe Darrell Gwynn ended up beating Garlits and going on to win this race, but if anybody can remember exactly which race this was please let me know.
Click to expand...

Maybe you are kinda talking about 2 different times? Gwynn won the event and beat Garlits (2nd round?) in 1986. Garlits had run the full circut and won the 85 Championship so he was no stranger to the NHRA scene by that time.
 
I'll probably get flamed for this but here goes. I'm a little saddened by this news and the photos of the new paint. The Greek has certainly paid his dues and has earned the right to have the best of everything, but I look at this as potentiallly the end of an era. I don't want to see The Greek in a big 18 wheeler and a shiny new race car. The little worn out Chapperal trailer towed by a dually and refrigerator white dragster amid the sea of million dollar rigs and fancy paint jobs is a something we all can relate to. Thats what makes The Greeks story so great, (well, of course there's the 80 year old thing). The underfunded, underdog that has the guts, determination and retirement income to go have fun without the worry of making anyone happy other than himself and his family.

Don't get me wrong, I am truly happy that he's getting some support and hope this keeps him on the tour for a few more years. I also truly hope he gets to do everything his way because thats what truly matters.
 
Registered member said:
Maybe you are kinda talking about 2 different times? Gwynn won the event and beat Garlits (2nd round?) in 1986. Garlits had run the full circut and won the 85 Championship so he was no stranger to the NHRA scene by that time.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I think I might have mixed up the Darrell Gwynn race with a later trip, I think the race I'm talking about must have been the '84 World Finals, I think that year Garlits ran only Indy and the World Finals as a prelude to a full year in the NHRA in '85.
 
Registered member said:
Yeah, I think I might have mixed up the Darrell Gwynn race with a later trip, I think the race I'm talking about must have been the '84 World Finals, I think that year Garlits ran only Indy and the World Finals as a prelude to a full year in the NHRA in '85.
Click to expand...

That sounds right on the money to me.
 
I'm sure this sponsorship will be in line with Nitro Fish and Chrisman. Car will look different and probably some team shirts.....that'll be about it....Plus the extra cash in the pocket.
 
I don't think you need to worry about Greek showing up in an 18 wheeler. This is a win-win. The terms are their business, but for a guy like Greek who runs with very limited help, getting product, and some cash for travel & a few extras to race with is huge! You don't have to throw 6 figures at a program like his to make a difference (although I would love to see it :D). Very cool for the Lucas folks to do this, I'm going to Indy and hope to see them there!
 
Greek doesn't need a big tractor trailer. He has raced for years with what he has and that's part of his mistique. It's neat to see him with his trailer and crew cab wedged in between the big buck teams.
He's been running on a budget just like Gary Densham and Steve Christman have been doing for years. They all have much more potential if they had a few more bucks to run better parts, or not have to run them longer than they should be.
Greek can do the same with a little more money and he has proven that he has the info to make the car run good at times. Running on your own dime and not having millions to spend does restrict how hard you can run your equipment without having to spend a fortune.
GOOD LUCK GREEK!!!! Hope to see you more often.

BTY, some of his previous cars have been some of the most beautiful in the sport. Expecially when he was running front motor cars. Anyone remember when he went and instead of chroming parts on the car he had them all gold plated? Ran some good front motor cars - Woody chassis, Hanna body, Cerny paint, etc.
 
Not a hard sell to run with a Legend ! I'm surprised no one has popped for him in a long while !
The Greek and his brother are tough hombres !
 
Cool maybe Lucas Oil can get in the winners circle with the Chris, the house cars certainly can't get it done.
A little embarrassing considering the amount of $$$ spent over there.
 
Takes more than money (although that's necessary). The Lucas cars I'm sure want more wins, but they're always in the hunt and I don't think need to be embarassed about anything.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

F
Dixon will drive for Johnson!!
3 4 5
Replies
95
Views
27K
Al smith
A
M
Toliver to drive for Jim Dunn Racing
Replies
0
Views
2K
Mooseman
M
Bullet
KJ running a Pontiac Firebird this weekend in Brainerd!!
Replies
12
Views
4K
cantdrive55
cantdrive55
none
To me, this is big!!
Replies
19
Views
6K
MM
MM
Paul
Ashley Force Out?
2
Replies
32
Views
12K
Rumblebones
R

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)
Back
Top