40 Years Ago Today!

……there was a very significant development in drag racing and that happened on Canadian soil…

Sanair, the track east of Montreal, has been the scene of many significant occurences during the time it hosted an NHRA National event. The last win for a true Chrysler 426 Hemi in Pro Stock, by Butch Leal in 1973. Shirley Muldowney’s terrible crash in 1984. John Force’s first NHRA victory in 1987.

But in the big picture — nothing compares to the end of an era, the last victory for a type of car synonymous with drag racing. The 1972 Grandnationals marked the last National event win for a front-engined car in Top Fuel, as Art Marshall drove to an unlikely victory in the former Don Prudhomme Hot Wheels machine, beating Clayton Harris, Carl Olson (both of whom red lighted) and in the final, Jeb Allen, who went up in smoke.

Today, August 6th 2012 — marks the 40th anniversary of Marshall’s victory.  Above is a photo of that final round at Sanair, when the front-engined TF car enjoyed its last success, and drag racing changed forever.

Photo and Posting by:  Gerry Frechette