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the old master
Joined: 21 Jan 2020 Posts: 53
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Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2020 5:57 pm Post subject: 1971 "Chargin Charlie" and the return of Chevy |
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How Chevy made its NASCAR return in 1971.Chevy hadn't been involved in racing since 1963. "This story is published by Junior Johnson".
I figured the Monte Carlo was the model best suited for NASCAR – but I had no idea what NASCAR would think about that.
The Monte Carlo was so wide its wheelbase had to be reduced. I met with NASCAR and asked them to let me use the Monte Carlo front snout, but cut it where it fit the wheelbase rule. They let me do that.
But it didn’t end there. Because it was a Chevrolet, there were no NASCAR rules about motors and other things. I had to get the car approved by showing NASCAR all that was going on with the motors, how it was built and that kind of stuff.
With the help of some good assistants, the Chevy was ready to race just five weeks after I first spoke with Richard.
We got Charlie Glotzbach to drive for us. They called him “Chargin’ Charlie” so that should tell you he had a driving style I liked.
We were ready for shakedown runs at Charlotte. I had no idea how the car would do. It was all brand new. Everything I had done to it was untried.
When got to Charlotte I was shocked an amazed at how fast the Chevy ran. But I realized that, being a driver in the past, I obviously wanted a fast car.
So did the guys who worked for me, Turkey Minton and Herb Nab. We were taking a shot in the dark, so we duplicated the best of everything we knew, and it worked.
Charlie won the World 600 pole with a speed of 157.788 mph. He led the race four times for 87 laps. He even put a lap on the field before the race was halfway over.
But then Charlie swerved to miss Speedy Thompson on the frontstretch and darned if Charlie didn’t hit the wall. That was the end for us. Charlie finished 28th.
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gks1964
Joined: 01 Feb 2020 Posts: 263
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Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2020 6:02 pm Post subject: |
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Nice!
Gerald |
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Mack
Joined: 28 Jan 2018 Posts: 732 Location: deep south
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Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2020 9:11 pm Post subject: |
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Cool, historic build. Nice! _________________ life is hard, it's harder when you're stupid. John Wayne |
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BVAUGHN
Joined: 29 Jan 2018 Posts: 504
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Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2020 12:25 am Post subject: |
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Attended that race. That Chevy was fast and reminded me of Jr in his 63 chevy. Great looking model
Bill |
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Dennis O Board Moderator
Joined: 28 Jan 2018 Posts: 880 Location: Louisville, Ky.
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Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2020 7:04 am Post subject: |
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Charlie will still show up at the local bullring time to time. He is legendary in these parts...... _________________ Dennis
Artificial Intelligence is no match for Natural Stupidity....... |
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sentsat71
Joined: 03 Feb 2018 Posts: 1237 Location: Fenton, IA
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Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2020 9:31 am Post subject: |
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COOL build ! ! !
Great story..... _________________ Ed. K |
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MarkJ
Joined: 29 Jan 2018 Posts: 1303
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Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2020 9:40 am Post subject: |
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Another excellent one T.O.M. Another one of those bucket list models I want to do. What kit did you use? |
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gcreswell
Joined: 18 Feb 2019 Posts: 53
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Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2020 10:08 am Post subject: |
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nice job and story behind the build. A lot work goes into turning a street car model into a nascar ride. |
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Firefly
Joined: 28 Jan 2018 Posts: 810 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2020 1:27 pm Post subject: |
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Nice!! _________________ Bill Jobson is my real name. |
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Henryjint
Joined: 28 Jan 2018 Posts: 1970 Location: NY State's Hudson Valley
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Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2020 10:39 pm Post subject: |
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Very nicely done!!! _________________ Forum member since 10/25/2010 |
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