| 84385
EDIT THIS!
|
© Tom West, Replicas West |
Don Nicholson (M) from
Atlanta, Georgia
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
232 ) |
1970 - Category: PS-MOUNTAIN, Type: UN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 2 |
| "Mr. Gasket Dyno Don" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Atlanta, Georgia
USA
| Crew Chief: Don Nicholson |
| '70 Ford Maverick by
M&S Welding |
Powered by Carbureted Gas 427 Ford SOHC by Earl Wade with
4 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
9.690 at Unknown |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
138.24 at Unknown |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1970 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 100.0,
MPH 50.00 |
Entry is 0.97387 times average ET and 1.00000 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1970 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 9.690 ET, 145.11 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
| 1970 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 9.950 ET, 138.24 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
| 1970 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 10.450 ET, 131.63 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
|
|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
Web Image Search
|
Web Video Search
|
|
Notes: Match racer. |
|
Submitted by Danny White, Last updated on Saturday, August 16, 2025, 09:09:26 PM by
Ron Thums.
|
| 84386
EDIT THIS!
|
© Tom West, Replicas West |
Don Nicholson (M) from
Orange, California
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
232 ) |
1971 - Category: PS-CLASSIC, Type: LN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 2 |
| "Mr. Gasket/Don Nicholson" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Orange, California
USA
| Crew Chief: Don Nicholson |
| '71 Ford Maverick by
M&S Welding |
Powered by Carbureted Gas 427 Ford SOHC by Earl Wade with
4 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
9.550 at Unknown |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
144.56 at Unknown |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1971 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 95.18,
MPH 91.55 |
Entry is 0.93987 times average ET and 1.05534 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1971 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 9.485 ET, 146.10 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 6.180 ET, 115.08 MPH |
| 1971 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 10.161 ET, 136.98 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 6.465 ET, 109.33 MPH |
| 1971 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 10.837 ET, 128.44 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 6.795 ET, 104.02 MPH |
|
|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
Web Image Search
|
Web Video Search
|
|
Notes: Don was the #5 qualifier at Indy 1971 at 9.691/141.06. AHRA record holder at 140.62 in January 1971. Ran 9.75 at York. | Nicholson continued to be Ford's strong hope in Pro Stock racing in '71, but as the season progressed, other Ford drivers such as Wayne Gapp and Eddie Schartman also started cutting some numbers. Don started the year by winning the Lions AHRA Grand American in January with his "old" '70 Maverick. He qualified #2 with a 9.76 and a 9.83/139.96 (Top Speed) beat Bill Hielscher in the first round. Butch Leal was still driving his Camaro at this race, and in round two, he fell to Don's 9.81/139.81. In the semifinals, a 9.85/138.46 beat Don Grotheer's 'Cuda at 9.92/137. In the final, he came up against Bill Bagshaw in his "Red Light Bandit" Challenger. The two had a good race, but "Dyno's" 9.81/139.93 came out on top over Bill's 9.89/139. At Pomona for the NHRA Winternationals, he debuted his new '71 car. Nicholson lost in round two to John Petrie. He did better the following week at OCIR's Pro Stock Championships. He ran a best of 9.76/141 in beating Don Carlton, who was driving for Billy Stepp. Don was a little embarrassed when, after doing a burnout, he backed into Don Grotheer's 'Cuda. The Maverick was fine, but the "Cuda's grill was bent up. He was runner-up for the second consecutive year when he faced Grotheer in the final. Grotheer got the last laugh as his 9.78/141 got the win when something broke in the Maverick's driveline. Don had some bad luck at AHRA's Winternationals at Beeline when he ran 10.12 in qualifying, but he broke a flywheel and was unable to run in eliminations. Nicholson had the only Ford that qualified at Gainesville for the NHRA Gatornationals with a 9.82/142.18, but he lost to Arlen Vanke's 9.70/141 in the first round, with a fouling 9.88/138.88. A big win came at the Super Stock Nationals at York US 30. Twenty-eight cars made the first round, and 'Dyno's" 9.85/141.28 advanced past round one. In round two, a 9.84/141.06 beat Bob Riffle in his new Demon, while an odd-lot single in round three at 9.75/141.28 set the Low ET of the meet. He had a close race against Mike Fons in the semifinals, where his 9.83/141.06 prevailed over Mike's 9.87/138. In the final, he came up against Bill Jenkins. It was rare not to see a Mopar in a Pro Stock final in '71, so this was great for the fans. Don got the win running a 9.76/141.06 over "Grumpy's" 9.97/139. He was at Greensboro on May 23 for a best-of-three match race against Ronnie Sox, but it was not his day as he lost three straight. That was better than what happened at Cornhusker, where once again he faced Sox in a best of three, but on a losing 10.08/134.73 in the first round, he spun a main bearing on his "Cammer" and was done for the day. The next NHRA event was the Springnationals in June. It featured a 32-car field, and Nicholson was the quickest non-Chrysler car in #7 with a 9.85. He picked up to a 9.83 in the first round, dropping Petrie. In round two, an improving 9.77 beat Ken Dondero's 9.96. This left Don's Ford stacked up against seven Mopars going into round three. Nicholson showed he could drive by slapping a slight holeshot on Fons and winning with a 9.82 over Mike's 9.81 in the "Rod Shop" car. Score was now Mopars 3, Ford 1. In the semifinals, Don chalked up another win, running 9.77 over Grotheer's 9.87. This put him in the final against Sox. It was another good race, but Don's 9.78/140.40 finished second best to Sox's 9.70/143. Cecil County held its All-American Pro Stock Championships soon after, and Nicholson was strong. He ran a track record 9.52 in the first round, and a 9.53 in the semifinal, putting him into the final against Jenkins again. Once again, Don got the win, running a 9.57 for the title. During this time, "Dyno" was running Match Races all over the country. This is where he made most of his income. He was at Great Meadows for a four-car show where he reset the track record to 9.65 at 141 in the first round, while beating Sox's 9.81/141. But in round two, more problems in the way of a blown engine kept him from making any more runs. Early in July, he faced off against Sox in a best-of-three at Atco. Sox won the match, but Don made it tough. Ronnie won the first race with a 9.49/144 over Don's 9.68/142.18. The Ford came back to take the second race with a 9.52/143.54 over Sox's 9.50/143, but a final run of 9.52/144 won the match for Sox when "Dyno" fouled away a 9.61/143.08. Just before the NHRA Summernationals, the Maverick was parked in Jenkins' garage, and Bill was helping Don adjust the carbs. It must have paid off as Don got Ford its first NHRA National event win. Don even thanked Bill in his after-race thank you in National Dragster. The race was run at Englishtown, and as per usual, Nicholson was the quickest non-Chrysler qualifier at #5 with a 9.66. He stayed consistent, running 9.68 in round one, over Ron Hutter, a 9.64 in round two over Jenkins' 9.86, and a big win in round three where his 9.66 beat low qualifier Don Carlton's 9.67 in a close one. In the semifinals, he slowed to 9.72/140, but it was still enough to beat Petrie's 9.77/141. In the final, he met up with Fons. Don got the victory with his best run of the event, a 9.63/141.73 over Mike's 9.68/142. Rumor had it that even Chrysler reps were happy with the Ford win, as they were worried that NHRA would try to even the playing field for '72. Another final round showing came at the PHR Championships at Martin, Mich. He ran times of 9.77/140.62, 9.81/139.96, and 9.71/141.73 to make the final. But as good as these times were, he was about a tenth off the "Mopar Missile's" times. So, in the final, he gambled on the tree and lost. Carlton went on to win with a 9.62/142. Nicholson won IHRA's Canadian-American race at Union Grove. In the final, he faced another Ford, Ed Schartman's Comet. Don won with a 9.3 time over Ed's 9.8. Another win came on August 29 when he won the AHRA Grandnationals. In his final round, his victim was Joe Satmary, whom Don beat with a 9.77/141.73. He was disappointed at Indy for the NHRA US Nationals. His 9.69 qualified #5, but in the first round, he lost second gear and the race to Wally Booth. Shortly after this, American Motors was looking for drivers for their new Pro Stock program. A contract was offered to Nicholson, but he declined. |
|
Submitted by Danny White, Last updated on Saturday, August 16, 2025, 09:41:31 PM by
Ron Howard.
Approved by Bill Pratt. |
| 84387
EDIT THIS!
|
© Doug Boyce Collection |
Don Nicholson (M) from
Orange, California
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
755 ) |
1972 - Category: PS-CLASSIC, Type: LN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 7 |
| "Kendig Dyno Don" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Orange, California
USA
| Crew Chief: Don Nicholson |
| '71 Ford Pinto by
M&S Welding |
Powered by Carbureted Gas 351 Ford with
4 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
9.400 at Cincinnati OH 8/72 |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
148.02 at AHRA West Salem OH 8/20/72 |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1972 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 89.41,
MPH 92.57 |
Entry is 0.94567 times average ET and 1.06085 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1972 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 9.255 ET, 149.50 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 6.180 ET, 115.08 MPH |
| 1972 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 9.940 ET, 139.53 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 6.465 ET, 109.33 MPH |
| 1972 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 10.625 ET, 130.53 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 6.795 ET, 104.02 MPH |
|
|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
Web Image Search
|
Web Video Search
|
|
Notes: Nicholson almost ended up driving an AMC in'72. American Motors was interested in going Pro Stock racing, and "Dyno" was their first choice. The deal had been done. Don's last request had been that he wanted a new Lincoln for his wife to drive, as Ford would surely take the one away they had provided. AMC granted his request, but before the deal was finalized, he told them that he couldn't forsake his Ford fans and drive a Nash. "Dyno Don" continued to run his SOHC-powered Maverick early in '72. Shortly after the NHRA Winternationals, he had Ken Dondero take over the driving duties of the Maverick. He hoped that the Pinto would take over where his Cammer left off. The Pinto was about 200 lbs. lighter than the Maverick, and that was important as the 351 Cleveland was making about 575 hp, which was a hundred less than the SOHC. The car was built at M&S Welding. They had also built both of his previous Mavericks. He debuted the car at the NHRA Gatornationals, where it was awarded "best-engineered car" but failed to qualify. It was interesting that the Maverick qualified #2 with a 9.46/144. Nicholson was working hard to get the 351 sorted out for competition. He went through many engines before finally restricting the oil from the top end of the motor so that the bearings lived. On May 9, he was at Green Valley Raceway for the AHRA Nationals. He only qualified #4, but in the opening round, he set Low ET with a 9.84. In round two, he hurt the motor and slowed to a 10.20 loss to Dave Atkins' 10.03. He continued to flog the car, and at Bristol in June for the IHRA Springnationals, he qualified #14. It wasn't great, but 32 cars were trying to make the sixteen-car field. An opening round 10.11 lost to Stuart McDade's 9.92. He was absent from both the NHRA Springnationals and the Summernationals. Late in July, he was in Milan for a four-car show. In Don's first race, his 9.85 lost to McDade's 9.58. In his second race, "Dyno's" holeshot-aided 9.62 beat Wally Booth's 9.57. In his third race, the Pinto broke just off the line against Wayne Gapp. Things were slowly starting to click early in August. He was runner-up to Herb McCandless at St. Louis for the AHRA Gateway Nationals. As mentioned, he was at Dragway 42 on August 20 for the IHRA Summernationals. His 9.50 qualified #2 behind Sox's 9.46. These two would eventually meet in the final." Dyno's" opening round 9.55/148.02 beat Rich Maskin's 9.71/140, and a 9.72/140.84 beat Dondero's team car in round two. He had a close race against Reid Weisnant that saw Don's 9.57/146.51 beat the Mopar driver's 9.57/147. He ran Sox in the final, and his 9.70/139.31 finished runner-up to Sox's 9.42/149. He then went to National Trail for the USRT's final race, where he beat Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins in the final. He had run as quick as 9.50/143.31 there. Near the end of August, the car was really starting to pick up. He was at Edgewater for an eight-car show, and he beat Don Grotheer in the first round, before beating Jenkins in round two with an incredible 9.40. He faced Sox in the final again, and this time his late 9.51 lost to Ronnie's 9.58. At Indy, for the NHRA US Nationals, he "only" qualified #18 in the 32-car field with a 9.84/138.03. He picked up two tenths in the first round, where his 9.65/141.28 beat number two qualifier Dave Strickler's similar 9.65/141. A second-round 9.68 took out Joe Satmary's big block Camaro at 9.78, and in the semifinals, he stopped the Camaro of Bruce Walker with a 9.72/140.40. Bruce ran 9.82 in the loss. He slept on the line in the semifinals, and his 9.70 lost to Rich Mirarcki's 9.78. Nicholson won the AHRA Grand American final held at Fremont on October 8. Dick Landy broke in the final, and Don ran 9.56/143.70 for the win. He was at OCIR on November 15 for a big Pro Stock event. It was not one of his better days, as, during a burnout, the car got out of shape and hit the guardrail. He barely got the car fixed in time for qualifying on Saturday, November 18, for the NHRA Supernationals held at Ontario Motor Speedway. He attempted to make a run, and the car broke on the line. On Sunday, he had one chance left to make the field, but the transmission broke, and "Dyno" failed to get a run in to qualify for the field. It was a sad way to end his '72 season, but great things were in store for him as he entered the '73 season. Also ran 9.652/141.28 and a semifinal finish at Indy 1972 and a DNQ at the World Finals. Ran a 9.70/139.31 runner-up finish to Ronnie Sox at IHRA Dragway 42 in August 1972. Reportedly ran 9.45 at IHRA Martin, MI. |
|
Submitted by Mike Gagnon, Last updated on Friday, December 31, 2021, 01:33:00 AM by
Ron Howard.
Approved by Super Crew. |
| 84388
EDIT THIS!
|
© Tom West, Replicas West |
Don Nicholson (M) from
Orange, California
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
755 ) |
1972 - Category: PS-CLASSIC, Type: LN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 7 |
| "Kendig Dyno Don" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Orange, California
USA
| Crew Chief: Earl Wade & Dave McGrame |
| '72 Ford Maverick by
M&S Welding |
Powered by Carbureted Gas 427 Ford SOHC by Earl Wade with
4 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
9.445 at Orange County CA 1/02/72 |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
143.08 at AHRA Phoenix AZ 1/72 |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1972 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 86.12,
MPH 67.80 |
Entry is 0.95020 times average ET and 1.02544 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1972 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 9.255 ET, 149.50 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 6.180 ET, 115.08 MPH |
| 1972 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 9.940 ET, 139.53 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 6.465 ET, 109.33 MPH |
| 1972 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 10.625 ET, 130.53 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 6.795 ET, 104.02 MPH |
|
|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
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|
Web Video Search
|
|
Notes: Dyno ran the SOHC Maverick early in '72 before his 351 Pinto was built. And it was a strong runner. On January 2, he set a 9.44 OCIR track record at the first OCIR All-Pro event. A blown transmission got to him in round one. At the Lions Grand Premiere also in Jan Dyno won the event beating Butch Leal in the final with a 9.59/142.40. At that meet, Nicholson reset the NHRA record at 9.58/142.85. He then qualified number one with a 9.54 at Phenix City for the first USRT team race. But a blown clutch while staging in the final left Don as Runner-up. In the USRT point standings, he finished third. At the AHRA Winternationals, Don qualified #1 with a 9.60/143.08, but lost oil pressure in round one, and shut off. A 9.73/140 qualified Don fifth at the NHRA Winternationals in Feb, and he won his first-round race, but breakage kept him from advancing to round two. Dyno then got his Pinto and Ken Dondero was given the driving chores of the Maverick. - RH | Fleer bump gum card claimed 9.40/145, but those are likely rounded estimates, not actual times. 9.734 NHRA Pomona CA 2/72. |
|
Submitted by Draglist Archives, Last updated on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, 04:32:38 PM by
Ron Howard.
Approved by Bill Pratt. |
| 84389
EDIT THIS!
|
No Photo (Edit this to add one!)
|
Don Nicholson (M) from
Orange, California
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
755 ) |
1972 - Category: PS-MOUNTAIN, Type: UN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 7 |
| "Kendig Dyno Don" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Orange, California
USA
| Crew Chief: Don Nicholson |
| '71 Ford Pinto by
M&S Welding |
Powered by Carbureted Gas 351 Ford with
4 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
144.00 at Englishtown NJ 1972 |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1972 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 36.78 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.98630 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1972 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 8.995 ET, 150.50 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
| 1972 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 9.350 ET, 146.00 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
| 1972 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 9.850 ET, 138.59 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
|
|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
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|
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|
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|
|
Notes: Ran 144 track record at Englishtown match race in 1972. |
|
Submitted by Bill Pratt, Last updated on Sunday, May 17, 2020, 12:40:37 PM by
Super Crew.
|
| 84390
EDIT THIS!
|
Handout, Dave Doctrow Collection |
Don Nicholson (M) from
Orange, California
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
755 ) |
1973 - Category: PS-CLASSIC, Type: LN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 7 |
| "TravelLite Dyno Don" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Orange, California
USA
| Crew Chief: Don Nicholson |
| '71 Ford Pinto by
M&S Welding |
Powered by Carbureted Gas 351 Ford with
4 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
8.930 at Rockingham NC 9/73 |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
153.58 at Rockingham NC 9/73 |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1973 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 95.82,
MPH 91.52 |
Entry is 0.93118 times average ET and 1.06313 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1973 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 8.870 ET, 155.44 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 6.050 ET, 117.00 MPH |
| 1973 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 9.590 ET, 144.46 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 6.353 ET, 111.15 MPH |
| 1973 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 10.310 ET, 134.37 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 6.683 ET, 105.66 MPH |
|
|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
Web Image Search
|
Web Video Search
|
|
Notes: Updated 1972 car. Received engine set back prior to the 1972 Supernationals. Yellow stripes added prior to the start of the 1973 season. First 150. Won IHRA All American Nationals at Bristol with a 9.14 at 150.00. 9.07 Rockingham "Dyno Don" had a great year in '73. It started with a big win at the AHRA Winternationals where he reset the AHRA Pro Stock record to 9.27. He qualified third and in the first round, a 9.41 beat Bill Bagshaw. In the second round, a 9.38 beat future star, Bob Glidden who missed a shift. In the semifinals, he beat Ronnie Sox with a 9.27. In the final, a 9.50/141.50 is all he needed for the win when Melvin Yow had troubles and slowed to 10.86. He then doubled up by winning the NHRA Winternationals as well. Don had run a 9.38/144.19 in qualifying for the 32-car field. In the first round, he ran 9.45/145 over Larry Breaux. He beat Butch Leal's 9.64/145 in round two with a 9.55/145.63. In round three, a 9.45/145.63 beat Dick Landy's 9.60/145. He got a single in the semifinal and ran 9.49/144.69. In the final, he set a new NHRA ET record of 9.33/145.16 in beating Don Carlton. He was gonna try and make it three Winter meets in a row when he showed up at Lakeland for the IHRA's version of the Winternationals. Nicholson qualified #4 with a 9.37 and made it to the semifinals before losing to Carlton's 9.17/141 with a 9.28/146.00. He kicked, butt at the Gatornationals, 'winning the race and resetting both ends of the NHRA record to 9.01/150.50. He had only qualified #6 with a 9.23, but he picked it up to a 9.05/149.25 in the first round, over Jerry Miller. The 9.01 (150.00) 'ET record came at the expense of Carlton who ran a 9.06 in the second round. In the semifinals, a 9.03/143.98 beat Mike Fons' 9.22. It was an all Ford Pinto final against Wayne Gapp. Don got a good light and ran a 9.04 at the record speed of 150.50 to beat Gapp's slightly quicker 9.03/149. He was runner-up to Reid Whisnant in April at Warner Robins. In May he was at Rockingham for the IHRA Pro-Am. He had been running countless match races and he showed up with the car running 50 lbs overweight and with two different cylinder heads. "Dyno" went out a laid down a 9.07 to qualify #3. Unfortunately, a first-round 9.35/141.50 lost to Roy Hill's 9.33/140. At the NHRA Springnationals at National Trail, he qualified #2 with a 9.32/145.16. He fouled away a potentially winning 9.52/142.63 against Gapp's 9.55 in the first round. At Bristol for IHRA's Springnationals, he used a 9.23 to qualify #2. Don made it into the final against Carlton, but he fouled running a 9.43/145 to Carlton's winning 9.25/147. At Englishtown for the NHRA Summernationals, Don qualified #7 in the 32-car show with a 9.23. He lost early there. Then came the Super Stock Nationals. Once again Don 'qualified easily with a 9.28/147.54 taking the #5 position. In the first round, he picked up to a 9.14/148.27 to beat a fouling Al Joniec. In the second round, he got a big win when Bill Jenkins fouled away Low ET of the meet, an 8.98/150 while "Dyno" motored on for the win with a 9.15/148.51. In the semifinals, he beat Scott Shafiroff's 9.27/147 with a 9.18/148.76. He met Paul Blevins in the final and once again "Dyno" fouled. This time, he ran a 9.21/147.78 while Paul eased it through to a 9.77/109 for the win. Nicholson won a show at Connecticut in August. He beat Dave Strickler in the final. The NHRA tour went to Canada for the Grandnationals and Don was there. A 9.08 qualified #3 and in round one, he beat Bruce Larson with a 9.16/148.51. In round two, a 9.13/147.75 beat Bob Riffle. In the semifinal, he ran against Leal's Duster. A 9.15/147.78 by the little Pinto finished second best to Leal's 9.11/151. Don was overdue for another big win and it looked like everyone caught up to him in performance by mid-year. He ran well at the PHR Championships at Martin, setting Low ET in qualifying #1 with a 9.14. But in round one, he ran Leal and Leal's 9.20/149 beat his 9.25/147.78. At the end of August, Nicholson was at Tulsa for the National Challenge race. He qualified #6 with a 9.20/147.54 in the 32-car field. He beat alternate, Ken Higler in the first round, with an improved 9.09/149. In round two, he beat Joe Satmary's 9.41/148 with a 9.15/149. A third round 9.18/148 beat Yow's 9.24/141. But in the semifinals, he a Leal staged a close one with the Duster's 9.15/150 beating the Pinto's close 9.16/148.76. The following week (September 3), he traveled to Indy for the US Nationals. He qualified #7 with a 9.16/149.75. But in round one, he slowed to an off pace 9.47/139.75 that lost to Shafiroff's 9.37. Don ran at the Beech Bend NHRA Points race on September 8 and finished runner-up to Glidden. As the season was winding down, "Dyno" seemed to start getting his "Mo-Jo" back. At Rockingham for the IHRA US Open, he ran an 8.93/153.58 (Top Speed) in beating Hubert Platt. He broke in round two against Riffle. He then won the IHRA All-American at Bristol Don qualified #2 with a 9.03 and on his way to the final he beat Wally Booth, Strickler and in the semifinals, both he and Ronnie Sox ran 9.16's, but Don took the win. In the final, he ran a 9.14/150.00 (Top Speed) 'over Carlton's 9.16/149. He then bagged the next IHRA event, the Nationals at Lakeland. A 9.17 qualified #3 for the race and in the first round, he set a track ET record of 8.96 at 149.25 in beating Harold Clark. In the second round, he beat Shafiroff's 9.31/144 with a 9.09/148.02. In the semifinals, he and Gapp both went 9.09, but Don advanced. In the final, he raced Carlton (again) and a final run of 9.10/149.50 beat Carlton's 9.15/149. At Amarillo Dragway for the NHRA World Finals Don received an odd lot single in the first round, and ran 9.40/145.16. In the second round, he beat Royce Freeman with a 9.39/147.54. In the semifinals, it was "The Grump" against "Dyno" and this time Jenkins came out on top with a 9.34/145 beating Nicholson's 9.37/144.92. Don ended his legal weight season at the NHRA Supernationals. He ran a 9.21 to qualify #9, but he lost to low qualifier Gapp in the first round. Don last ran the Pinto at the 1974 NHRA Winternationals. |
|
Submitted by Mike Gagnon, Last updated on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, 09:35:05 PM by
Doug Boyce.
Approved by Bill Pratt. |
| 84391
EDIT THIS!
|
Handout, Dave Doctrow Collection |
Don Nicholson (M) from
Orange, California
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
755 ) |
1973 - Category: PS-MOUNTAIN, Type: UN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 7 |
| "TravelLite Dyno Don" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Orange, California
USA
| Crew Chief: Don Nicholson |
| '71 Ford Pinto by
M&S Welding |
Powered by Carbureted Gas 351 Ford with
4 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
8.930 at Rising Sun MD 3/23/73 |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
151.26 at Irwindale CA 11/73 |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1973 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 73.68,
MPH 55.25 |
Entry is 0.96125 times average ET and 1.00840 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1973 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 8.530 ET, 162.00 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 124.35 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
| 1973 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 9.290 ET, 150.00 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 118.13 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
| 1973 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 9.850 ET, 138.66 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
|
|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
Web Image Search
|
Web Video Search
|
|
No notes on this entry. |
|
Submitted by Danny White, Last updated on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, 09:34:33 PM by
Ron Howard.
Approved by Bill Pratt. |
| 84392
EDIT THIS!
|
Norm Newgord, Gary Newgord Collection |
Don Nicholson (M) from
Orange, California
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
755 ) |
1974 - Category: PS-CLASSIC, Type: LN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 7 |
| "Dyno Don" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Orange, California
USA
| Crew Chief: Don Nicholson |
| '74 Ford Mustang II by
Don Hardy |
Powered by Carbureted Gas 366 Ford with
4 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
8.845 at IHRA Houma LA 1974 |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
153.06 at NHRA Ontario CA 10/13/74 |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1974 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 88.28,
MPH 79.83 |
Entry is 0.95415 times average ET and 1.03741 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1974 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 8.715 ET, 156.79 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.800 ET, 123.11 MPH |
| 1974 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 9.270 ET, 147.54 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.960 ET, 118.73 MPH |
| 1974 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 9.825 ET, 139.21 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 6.290 ET, 112.50 MPH |
|
|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
Web Image Search
|
Web Video Search
|
|
Notes: IHRA World Record 1974 from Southland Raceway (8.845/151). Ran 8.885/153.06 at NHRA Ontario 10/74, losing to Glidden in the semis. Confirm it was this car and not the 70 Mustang. Ran 9.03 at Gainesville and 9.08 at Indy. | Don debuted his new Mustang II at Gainesville for the NHRA Gatornationals. He qualified #11, but a first-round 9.03/152.02 lost to Wally Booth's 8.97/152. At Rockingham for the IHRA Pro-Am Championships, "Dyno" qualified #1 with a 9.00/151.26. He went on to win his first race with the Mustang II since its debut at the Gatornationals. Not only did he win, but he set Low ET and Top Speed at 8.91/152.28. In the final, Nicholson beat a fouling Reid Whisnant with an 8.93. At Bristol in June for the IHRA Springnationals, a 9.26 qualified #6 in the field, but Don hurt his engine on the run and was unable to run in eliminations. |
|
Submitted by Danny White, Last updated on Saturday, March 14, 2020, 09:21:33 PM by
Ron Howard.
Approved by Bill Pratt. |
| 84393
EDIT THIS!
|
Norm Newgord, Gary Newgord Collection |
Don Nicholson (M) from
Orange, California
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
755 ) |
1974 - Category: PS-CLASSIC, Type: LN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 7 |
| "Dyno Don" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Orange, California
USA
| Crew Chief: Don Nicholson |
| '70 Ford Mustang by
Don Hardy |
Powered by Carbureted Gas 351 Ford by Jack Roush with
4 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
8.885 at NHRA Ontario CA 10/13/74 |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
153.06 at NHRA Ontario CA 10/13/74 |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1974 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 84.68,
MPH 79.83 |
Entry is 0.95847 times average ET and 1.03741 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1974 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 8.715 ET, 156.79 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.800 ET, 123.11 MPH |
| 1974 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 9.270 ET, 147.54 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.960 ET, 118.73 MPH |
| 1974 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 9.825 ET, 139.21 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 6.290 ET, 112.50 MPH |
|
|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
Web Image Search
|
Web Video Search
|
|
Notes: Nicholson had Don Hardy build him this Mustang to take advantage of NHRA's rule that let cars with a wheelbase of 105" or more run 6.45 lbs. per cubic inch compared to 6.75 if under that wheelbase. That meant that Don's '70 Mustang would come to the line weighing less than a Pinto or a Mustang II. As stated, the car debuted at the NHRA Grandnationals, where Nicholson drove it to 9.07/151.77 to qualify #9. Unfortunately, that set up a first-round meeting with another car set up for the 6.45 break, Wayne Gapp's four-door Maverick which qualified #1 with an 8.86. Don slowed to an off-pace 9.18/147.54 in their race and lost to Gapp's 8.87/150. For the record, Gapp went on to win the race and reset the NHRA ET record. The following week, "Dyno" was at Martin, Michigan, for the PHR Championships. He qualified #3 with an 8.96 and a first-round 9.24 beat Dave Lyall. Don cut a quick light in round two, and his 9.06 beat Wally Booth's quicker 9.02. This set up another meeting with Gapp's trick Maverick in the semifinals. Once again, Gapp got the win; this time, his 8.97 beat Don's 9.10. Wayne went on to win this race as well. The next stop was at Indianapolis for the NHRA US Nationals. Nicholson ran 9.01/151.51 to qualify #3 in the 32-car field. Don ran at Indy with a Gapp & Roush engine and was runner-up there. He qualified at 9.01/151, then went 8.96/151.77 during eliminations per Gapp & Roush ad. It debuted at Sanair after damaging the Mustang II in a crash. Don ran a G&R engine at Indy and throughout the rest of the season. Runner up at Indy and hit the semis at Ontario with his best times of the year, 8.885/153.06. |
|
Submitted by Mike Gagnon, Last updated on Saturday, November 27, 2021, 01:30:27 PM by
Ron Howard.
Approved by Bill Pratt. |
| 84394
EDIT THIS!
|
No Photo (Edit this to add one!)
|
Don Nicholson (M) from
Orange, California
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
755 ) |
1974 - Category: PS-CLASSIC, Type: LN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 7 |
| "Dyno Don" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Orange, California
USA
| Crew Chief: Don Nicholson |
| '74 Ford Mustang II by
Don Hardy |
Powered by Carbureted Gas 366 Ford with
4 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
8.900 at Rockingham NC 1974 |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1974 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 83.33,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.96009 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1974 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 8.715 ET, 156.79 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.800 ET, 123.11 MPH |
| 1974 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 9.270 ET, 147.54 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.960 ET, 118.73 MPH |
| 1974 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 9.825 ET, 139.21 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 6.290 ET, 112.50 MPH |
|
|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
Web Image Search
|
Web Video Search
|
|
No notes on this entry. |
|
Submitted by Danny White, Last updated on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, 11:45:41 PM by
Super Crew.
|
| 84395
EDIT THIS!
|
No Photo (Edit this to add one!)
|
Don Nicholson (M) from
Orange, California
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
755 ) |
1974 - Category: PS-CLASSIC, Type: LN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 7 |
| "Dyno Don" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Orange, California
USA
| Crew Chief: Don Nicholson |
| '74 Ford Pinto by
an Unknown chassis builder |
Powered by Carbureted Gas Ford with
4 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
9.080 at NHRA Pomona CA 2/02/74 |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
150.25 at NHRA Pomona CA 2/02/74 |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1974 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 67.11,
MPH 64.65 |
Entry is 0.97950 times average ET and 1.01837 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1974 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 8.715 ET, 156.79 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.800 ET, 123.11 MPH |
| 1974 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 9.270 ET, 147.54 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.960 ET, 118.73 MPH |
| 1974 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 9.825 ET, 139.21 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 6.290 ET, 112.50 MPH |
|
|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
Web Image Search
|
Web Video Search
|
|
Notes: Don started the 1974 season with two Pintos and a new Mustang II that was still getting completed. Early season plans called for Ken Dondero to drive one of the Pintos, but Bill Jenkins hired Dondero very early in the season. Nicholson put one of his 366 cubic inch engines on the dyno, making 705 hp. At Pomona, for the NHRA Winternationals, he qualified #8 with a 9.08/150.25. He beat alternate Bobby Rowe in the "Jeg's" Pinto in round one, with a 9.26/145.16. In round two, his 9.24/146.10 lost to Scott Shafiroff's 9.13/149. Don drove a Mustang for the rest of the season. |
|
Submitted by Ron Howard, Last updated on Tuesday, November 23, 2021, 11:23:58 PM by
Ron Howard.
Approved by Super Crew. |
| 84396
EDIT THIS!
|
Norm Newgord, Gary Newgord Collection |
Don Nicholson (M) from
Orange, California
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
755 ) |
1974 - Category: PS-MOUNTAIN, Type: UN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 7 |
| "Dyno Don" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Orange, California
USA
| Crew Chief: Don Nicholson |
| '74 Ford Mustang II by
Don Hardy |
Powered by Carbureted Gas 366 Ford with
4 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
8.710 at Cayuga ON 6/74 |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
155.97 at Cayuga ON 6/74 |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1974 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 57.14,
MPH 62.31 |
Entry is 0.99657 times average ET and 1.01279 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1974 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 8.530 ET, 162.00 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.655 ET, 125.17 MPH |
| 1974 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 8.740 ET, 154.00 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.745 ET, 121.29 MPH |
| 1974 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 9.240 ET, 145.67 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 6.075 ET, 114.70 MPH |
|
|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
Web Image Search
|
Web Video Search
|
|
Notes: Don was at Englishtown in June for a best of three match race against Bill Jenkins."In their first race, Dyno's" 8.91/152.80 lost to Jenkins' 8.75/155. Bill then let Larry Lombardo take over driving the Vega. In the next race, Larry ran 8.73/154 to beat Don's 8.97/130.73. It just wasn't Nicholson's day as in the last race, the Mustang II launched its engine. Shortly after that, Don made up for it at Cayuga for another match against Jenkins. An 8.79/155.70 beat Bill's 9.03/128 in the first race. But the Vega had dropped a valve and could not run after that. Jim Oddy's BB/A Fiat filled in for the next two races. A handicap start was used, and Don won both of the remaining races with duplicate 8.71 times with speeds of 155.70 and 155.97. He ran 8.72 at an Aquasco match race and 8.80/152.54 at an East Haddam CT match race with Jenkins. Don crashed and destroyed the car in late July 1974. Car was IHRA legal. |
|
Submitted by Danny White, Last updated on Saturday, December 4, 2021, 03:48:23 PM by
Ron Howard.
Approved by Super Crew. |
| 84397
EDIT THIS!
|
No Photo (Edit this to add one!)
|
Don Nicholson (M) from
Orange, California
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
755 ) |
1974 - Category: PS-MOUNTAIN, Type: UN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 7 |
| "Dyno Don" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Orange, California
USA
| Crew Chief: Don Nicholson |
| '75 Ford Mustang II by
Don Hardy |
Powered by Carbureted Gas 366 Ford with
4 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
8.740 at Gainesville FL 12/74 |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1974 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 50.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 1.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1974 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 8.530 ET, 162.00 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.655 ET, 125.17 MPH |
| 1974 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 8.740 ET, 154.00 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.745 ET, 121.29 MPH |
| 1974 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 9.240 ET, 145.67 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 6.075 ET, 114.70 MPH |
|
|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
Web Image Search
|
Web Video Search
|
|
Notes: Don's third pro stock car of the year. Ran 8.74 at a Gainesville match race in December 1974. |
|
Submitted by Danny White, Last updated on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, 11:46:12 PM by
Super Crew.
|
| 84398
EDIT THIS!
|
© Bob Plumer Collection |
Don Nicholson (M) from
Orange, California
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
755 ) |
1975 - Category: PS-CLASSIC, Type: LN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 7 |
| "Minolta Dyno Don" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Orange, California
USA
| Crew Chief: Don Nicholson |
| '70 Ford Mustang by
Don Hardy |
Powered by Carbureted Gas 366 Ford by Jack Roush with
4 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
8.839 at NHRA Indianapolis IN 8/31/75 |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
155.32 at NHRA Indianapolis IN 8/31/75 |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1975 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 81.85,
MPH 89.65 |
Entry is 0.97314 times average ET and 1.04410 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1975 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 8.700 ET, 157.03 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.650 ET, 125.00 MPH |
| 1975 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 9.083 ET, 148.76 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.730 ET, 123.79 MPH |
| 1975 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 9.583 ET, 141.00 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 6.060 ET, 117.05 MPH |
|
|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
Web Image Search
|
Web Video Search
|
|
Notes: Don ran this car at a weight break for long-wheelbase cars. With few Ford choices at that wheelbase, he (and Bob Glidden and a few others) went back to the 1970 body style. "Dyno Don" was at Beeline for the AHRA Winternationals. He qualified #5 and lasted until the second round, where he faced Bob Glidden's similar '70 Mustang. Glidden won their race and went on to win the event. At Pomona for the NHRA Winternationals, the exact same thing happened. Nicholson qualified #6 with an 8.959/152.28. A first-round 9.001/153.32 advanced when Doug Wood fouled away a 9.27/148, but once again, he ran into Glidden in the second round. The results were the same, with Don's 9.021/150.75 losing to Bob's 8.78/153. Once again, Glidden would go on to win. Don raced his Mustang II at Gainesville and Columbus but returned with the Mustang at Englishtown. He qualified #6 at 8.960/151.51. A Warren Johnson holeshot ended his day in round one, 9.08/150 to Don's 8.99/152.54. Don qualified #2 at Indy with an 8.839 at the Top Speed of the Meet at 155.32. He beat Jerry Haas in round one, 8.942/150.50 to 9.03/148, and Kenny Hahn in round two, 8.930/150.75 to 9.17/147. Don got the best of Bob Glidden in an excellent third-round matchup, 8.99/151.00 to 9.05/150. Unfortunately, Don's Mustang broke in the semis, sending Richie Zul to an 8.97/151 win. Don skipped Seattle but raced at the World Finals. An 8.986/150.25 qualified #8. He lost to Jack Schorr in a first-round upset, 9.06/148 to 9.159/152.03. |
|
Submitted by Mike Gagnon, Last updated on Saturday, July 9, 2022, 01:35:14 PM by
Ron Howard.
Approved by Super Crew. |
| 84399
EDIT THIS!
|
© Thomas Nagy |
Don Nicholson (M) from
Orange, California
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
755 ) |
1975 - Category: PS-CLASSIC, Type: LN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 7 |
| "Dyno Don" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Orange, California
USA
| Crew Chief: Don Nicholson |
| '74 Ford Mustang II by
Don Hardy |
Powered by Carbureted Gas 366 Ford with
4 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
8.890 at Madison IL 1975 |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
153.33 at Madison IL 1975 |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1975 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 75.19,
MPH 77.62 |
Entry is 0.97875 times average ET and 1.03072 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1975 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 8.700 ET, 157.03 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.650 ET, 125.00 MPH |
| 1975 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 9.083 ET, 148.76 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.730 ET, 123.79 MPH |
| 1975 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 9.583 ET, 141.00 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 6.060 ET, 117.05 MPH |
|
|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
Web Image Search
|
Web Video Search
|
|
Notes: Photo from the 1975 NHRA Gatornationals, Gainesville, Florida. Won IHRA Summer Nationals at Great Lakes with a 9.01/149.00 holeshot win over Scott Shafiroff's 8.98/150.50. We need to confirm whether that was the 70 Mustang or the Mustang II. Don won the 1987 IHRA championship. |
|
Submitted by Danny White, Last updated on Thursday, August 12, 2021, 11:16:04 PM by
Ron Howard.
Approved by Bill Pratt. |
| 84400
EDIT THIS!
|
© Thomas Nagy |
Don Nicholson (M) from
Orange, California
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
755 ) |
1975 - Category: PS-MOUNTAIN, Type: UN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 7 |
| "Dyno Don" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Orange, California
USA
| Crew Chief: Don Nicholson |
| '74 Ford Mustang II by
Don Hardy |
Powered by Carbureted Gas Ford with
4 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
8.480 at Monrovia MD 7/75 |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
158.00 at Monrovia MD 7/75 |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1975 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 75.99,
MPH 50.00 |
Entry is 0.97752 times average ET and 1.00000 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1975 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 8.300 ET, 163.00 MPH |
1000 Ft. 5.500 ET, 137.82 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.410 ET, 125.17 MPH |
| 1975 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 8.675 ET, 158.00 MPH |
1000 Ft. 5.775 ET, 130.93 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.735 ET, 121.45 MPH |
| 1975 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 9.175 ET, 149.39 MPH |
1000 Ft. 6.195 ET, 122.05 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 6.065 ET, 114.84 MPH |
|
|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
Web Image Search
|
Web Video Search
|
|
Notes: Information and times from National Dragster 8/22/75. Near the end of July, Don was at 75/80 Maryland for a best of three match race against Ronnie Sox, who was running a Hemi Colt. Don won all three races, running times of 8.57/158, 8.49/157, and a best of 8.48 at only 152. Sox wasn't far behind with an 8.58/159 best. |
|
Submitted by Danny White, Last updated on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, 12:41:02 AM by
Ron Howard.
Approved by Super Crew. |
| 84401
EDIT THIS!
|
Auto Imagery
Photog Web |
Don Nicholson (M) from
Orange, California
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
755 ) |
1976 - Category: PS-CLASSIC, Type: LN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 7 |
| "Minolta Dyno Don" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Orange, California
USA
| Crew Chief: Don Nicholson |
| '70 Ford Mustang by
Don Hardy |
Powered by Carbureted Gas 366 Ford by Jack Roush with
5 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
8.843 at NHRA Gainesville FL 3/13/76 |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
153.58 at NHRA Pomona CA 2/01/76 |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1976 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 71.25,
MPH 69.63 |
Entry is 0.97929 times average ET and 1.02216 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1976 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 8.590 ET, 158.73 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.380 ET, 127.00 MPH |
| 1976 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 9.030 ET, 150.25 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.730 ET, 123.79 MPH |
| 1976 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 9.530 ET, 142.37 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 6.060 ET, 117.05 MPH |
|
|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
Web Image Search
|
Web Video Search
|
|
Notes: Don built this car to take advantage of better weight break for long-wheelbase cars. It also had a unique Doug Nash clutchless 5-speed. At Pomona, Don qualified #8 at 8.852/153.32. He beat Kevin Rotty in round one, 8.250/146.81 to a fouling 9.31/146. Don then took out Dave Kanners in round two, 9.03/153.58 to a wasted 8.87/153.06 when Dave redlighted. Wayne Gapp defeated him in the semis, 8.87/153 to Don's off pace 9.30/135.74. Don qualified #9 at Gainesville with an 8.843/153.32. Larry Lombardo beat him in round one, 8.77/155 to a 12-second shutoff. Don had a bad outing at Columbus, ending up as the third alternate at 9.267/148.02. That was Don's last NHRA national event of the year. |
|
Submitted by Draglist Archives, Last updated on Saturday, July 9, 2022, 12:20:51 PM by
Doug Boyce.
Approved by Bill Pratt. |
| 84402
EDIT THIS!
|
Handout, Dave Doctrow Collection |
Don Nicholson (M) from
Orange, California
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
755 ) |
1976 - Category: PS-CLASSIC, Type: LN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 7 |
| "Dyno Don/Minolta" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Orange, California
USA
| Crew Chief: Jon Kaase |
| '76 Ford Mustang II by
Don Hardy |
Powered by Carbureted Gas 366 Ford by Jon Kaase with
4 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
8.760 at Gainesville FL 11/76 |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
153.58 at NHRA Pomona CA 2/01/76 |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1976 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 80.68,
MPH 69.63 |
Entry is 0.97010 times average ET and 1.02216 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1976 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 8.590 ET, 158.73 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.380 ET, 127.00 MPH |
| 1976 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 9.030 ET, 150.25 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.730 ET, 123.79 MPH |
| 1976 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 9.530 ET, 142.37 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 6.060 ET, 117.05 MPH |
|
|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
Web Image Search
|
Web Video Search
|
|
Notes: Don qualified well at Pomona for the Winternationals with the 8.852/153.32 (using a unique Doug Nash clutchless 5-speed transmission). In round one, he beat Kevin Rotty, 9.26/146.81 to 9.31/146. In round two, Dave Kanners fouled away an 8.87/153, and Don progressed with a 9.03/153.58. In the semifinals, Wayne Gapp's 8.87/153 beat his off pace 9.30/135.74. At the Gatornationals, an 8.843/153.32 qualified #9, setting up a first-round meeting with low qualifier Larry Lombardo in Bill Jenkins' Monza. Larry won that first-round battle, 8.77/155 to a 12-second shutoff. Nicholson went to Atlanta on May 23 for the IHRA Dixie Nationals, where he lasted until the semifinal before his 8.91 lost to Roy Hill's 8.88. Don failed to qualify at the NHRA Springnationals as the Fords were at a severe weight disadvantage in NHRA racing, and his 9.267/148.02 was the third alternate. Don was spending a lot more time match racing to make ends meet. At the NHRA Summernationals at Englishtown, Don chose to run the car as a C/Altered in the competition class rather than run it in Pro Stock. He did not enter another NHRA national event in 1976. Don was back at Gainesville for the Turkey Trot Nationals near the end of the year. He qualified #1 for the eight-car show with an 8.76 (Low ET) at 152.80. In the opening round, his 8.92/150.50 beat Tony Wood's 9.18/151 in the former Reid Whisnant Duster and another 8.76 at 153.58 (Top Speed) beat Pat Ulik's Hornet at 9.18/146. But Unfortunately, Don had a little nap in the final, and his 9.04/150.00 lost to Lamar Walden's 9.12/148. |
|
Submitted by Mike Gagnon, Last updated on Saturday, December 11, 2021, 08:41:40 PM by
Ron Howard.
Approved by Super Crew. |
| 84403
EDIT THIS!
|
© Bob Plumer Collection |
Don Nicholson (M) from
Orange, California
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
755 ) |
1976 - Category: PS-MOUNTAIN, Type: UN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 7 |
| "Dyno Don/Minolta" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Orange, California
USA
| Crew Chief: Jon Kaase |
| '76 Ford Mustang II by
Don Hardy |
Powered by Carbureted Gas 392 Ford by John Kaase with
4 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
8.060 at Unknown |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
166.00 at Unknown |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1976 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 100.0,
MPH 81.81 |
Entry is 0.93939 times average ET and 1.04403 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1976 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 8.060 ET, 170.00 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
| 1976 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 8.580 ET, 159.00 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
| 1976 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 9.100 ET, 149.91 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
|
|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
Web Image Search
|
Web Video Search
|
|
Notes: Car Craft stated that Don had run a best of 8.06/166 in '76. Also ran 8.31/162. | "Dyno Don's" all-aluminum Cleveland engine was stout in '76. He ran 8.29/162 at Blaney, South Carolina, and before April was out, he improved those times to 8.16/164. He went even quicker at Capitol Raceway in May, running back-to-back times of 8.07 and 8.09 at 165. The car weighed 1,950 lbs. The motor was 392 cubic inches. |
|
Submitted by Draglist Archives, Last updated on Friday, March 24, 2023, 11:27:22 PM by
Ron Howard.
Approved by Super Crew. |
| 84404
EDIT THIS!
|
© Bob Plumer Collection |
Don Nicholson (M) from
Orange, California
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
755 ) |
1976 - Category: SPORTSMAN, Type: HN, Class: B/A, Div: 7 |
| "Dyno Don/Minolta" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Orange, California
USA
| Crew Chief: Jon Kaase |
| '76 Ford Mustang II by
Don Hardy |
Powered by Carbureted Gas Ford by John Kaase with
4 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
8.580 at NHRA Englishtown NJ 7/10/76 |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
154.90 at NHRA Englishtown NJ 7/10/76 |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1976 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 82.63,
MPH 68.43 |
Entry is 0.93261 times average ET and 1.03960 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1976 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 8.250 ET, 165.00 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
| 1976 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 9.200 ET, 149.00 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
| 1976 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 10.110 ET, 136.33 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
|
|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
Web Image Search
|
Web Video Search
|
|
No notes on this entry. |
|
Submitted by Danny White, Last updated on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, 12:30:14 AM by
Danny White.
|
| 84405
EDIT THIS!
|
© Rick Oldfield |
Don Nicholson (M) from
Atlanta, Georgia
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
205 ) |
1977 - Category: PS-CLASSIC, Type: LN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 2 |
| "Dyno Don" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Atlanta, Georgia
USA
| Crew Chief: John Kaase |
| '76 Ford Mustang II by
Don Hardy |
Powered by Carbureted Gas 366 Ford by Jon Kaase with
4 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
8.525 at NHRA D1 Epping NH 9/77 (NR) |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
158.73 at NHRA Baton Rouge LA 4/30/77 |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1977 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 97.34,
MPH 92.05 |
Entry is 0.95028 times average ET and 1.04939 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1977 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 8.500 ET, 160.14 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
| 1977 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 8.971 ET, 151.26 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
| 1977 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 9.471 ET, 143.27 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
|
|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
Web Image Search
|
Web Video Search
|
|
Notes: NHRA Pro Stock Champion. Ran 8.52 NHRA record in August 77. Won Gators, Springs, Indy, 8.572 at Englishtown for a new record (and his best national event ET). Ran 8.70/157.61 at Pomona, 8.64 at Gainesville, 8.68 at Columbus, 8.61 at Indy, 8.58 at Seattle. | "Dyno Don" returned to his winning ways in '77. After concentrating heavily on his match race program in '76, he returned to NHRA competition for '77. He did not race at the AHRA Winternationals, but at Pomona for the NHRA Winternationals, he showed that he could still run with the "big dogs" by qualifying #1 with an 8.70/158.17. He beat Ken Dondero driving the "Gapp and Roush" Pinto in the first round, with an 8.90/155.97. In round two his 8.73/155.17 beat Kevin Rotty and a semifinal 8.73/156.25 took out Bob Glidden's slightly quicker 8.72/157. In the final he faced Larry Lombardo driving Bill Jenkins' Monza. Larry had run 8.65 in his semifinal race and that must have had Don a little nervous at the fouled away an 8.77/157.61 while Lombardo got the victory with an 8.61/158. "Dyno" then went to Gainesville for the NHRA Gatornationals where once again he qualified #1, this time with an 8.65/155.90. He stayed in the 8.6s in the first two rounds with runs of 8.66/157.61 (Top Speed) and 8.65 to beat Gordie Rivera and Dale Evans. Don slowed to 8.74/157.34 in the semifinals when Lombardo fouled against him. He was supposed to meet Wally Booth in the final, but Booth had blown his engine while beating Dondero in the semifinals, and he was unable to swap in another engine for the final. Don got to run a solo for the win, but he still put his foot into it and set Low ET with an 8.64/157 for the victory. The following week (March 20), he was at LaPlace for the NHRA Division 4 opener. To say he did well was an understatement. He qualified #1, set Top Speed and Low ET (8.67) and he beat Richie Zul in the "Reher-Morrison" Monza in the final with an 8.69/153.06 for the title. Another win came at Warner Robins on March 27 for the NHRA Division 2 opener. He qualified #4 at Baton Rouge for the NHRA Cajun Nationals with an 8.70, but he was unable to stick around after the rain delay. Another major win came at the NHRA Springnationals. His 8.68 qualified #3 and in the final, his 8.78/153.06 beat Frank Iaconio's 8.80/153. At the second NHRA Division 2 race at Blaney, Nicholson picked up another win. Englishtown was the next stop on the NHRA tour for the Summernationals and Don's 8.64/157.06 qualified #2. He improved to 8.58/157 in the first round, over Bob Ingles while an 8.57 got around Zul in round two. In the semifinals, Don was late off the line and his 8.67 lost to Iaconio's 8.75. Nicholson followed the NHRA tour to Canada for the NHRA Grandnationals. He qualified #2 in the eight-car field with an 8.67, but he lost to Warren Johnson in the first round. Don returned to his winning ways at Suffolk for the next NHRA Division 2 race. He set Low ET in qualifying #1 with an 8.66 and then ran 8.98/147.29 in the first round, over Roy Hill who broke. In the semifinals, he got an "odd-lot" solo and ran 8.67. This put him into the final against Ingles. "Dyno" wrapped it up with an 8.66/155.97 (Top Speed). At this point in the year, the points chase appeared to be Nicholson vs. Lombardo with Glidden closing from the rear. So, Don made a trip to New England for the NHRA Division 1 points race. This was made to stop Lombardo from winning the race and getting the points. It paid off as not only did "Dyno" win (beating Lombardo in the final), but his final round 8.52 was a new NHRA record, giving him some much-needed points. He then went to Gainesville where he also won the NHRA Division 2 final. Then came Indy, where Nicholson scored his biggest win of the year at the NHRA US Nationals. He set Low ET in qualifying #1 with an 8.61 and then ran 8.67/155 over Jerry Haas and 8.74/155 over a fouling Johnson in round two. A semifinal 8.72/155 beat points rival Lombardo, and then he went up against a rejuvenated Glidden, who was running strong and closing in on the points gap between him and Lombardo/Nicholson. Glidden broke in the final and "Dyno" got the victory with an 8.73/154. Don’s best speed this year was a 158.73 at the Cajun Nationals. |
|
Submitted by Mike Gagnon, Last updated on Sunday, April 19, 2020, 04:48:49 PM by
Ron Howard.
Approved by Bill Pratt. |
| 84406
EDIT THIS!
|
Norman Blake
Photog Web |
Don Nicholson (M) from
Atlanta, Georgia
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
205 ) |
1977 - Category: PS-MOUNTAIN, Type: UN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 2 |
| "Dyno Don" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Atlanta, Georgia
USA
| Crew Chief: Jon Kaase |
| '76 Ford Mustang II by
Don Hardy |
Powered by Carbureted Gas 500 Ford by Jon Kaase with
4 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
7.970 at Englishtown NJ 1977 |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
161.00 at Union Grove WI 9/11/77 |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1977 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 98.99,
MPH 50.00 |
Entry is 0.94208 times average ET and 1.00000 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1977 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 7.960 ET, 174.00 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
| 1977 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 8.460 ET, 161.00 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
| 1977 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 8.960 ET, 152.02 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
|
|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
Web Image Search
|
Web Video Search
|
|
Notes: Also ran 8.34 at MIR in runner-up to Bill Jenkins' 8.28. Ran 8.29 Union Grove, 8.17 at Englishtown. | Don was at Union Grove on September 11 for the PRO National Challenge. He made runs of 8.41/161 and 8.29/156 to beat Henry Hallman and Pete Robertson to reach the final against Pat Musi who also ran 8.29 in his semifinal win. The two had a close race with "Dyno's" 8.29/161 picking up the victory over Musi's 8.30/163. |
|
Submitted by Mike Gagnon, Last updated on Sunday, January 19, 2020, 10:28:34 PM by
Ron Howard.
Approved by Super Crew. |
| 84407
EDIT THIS!
|
Handout, Dave Doctrow Collection |
Don Nicholson (M) from
Atlanta, Georgia
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
205 / 1) |
1978 - Category: PS-CLASSIC, Type: LN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 2 |
| "Dyno Don" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Atlanta, Georgia
USA
| Crew Chief: Jon Kaase |
| '77 Ford Mustang II by
Don Hardy |
Powered by Carbureted Gas 366 Ford by Jon Kaase with
4 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
8.525 at NHRA D1 Englishtown NJ 5/07/78 |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
157.61 at NHRA D1 Englishtown NJ 5/07/78 |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1978 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 94.22,
MPH 80.40 |
Entry is 0.96110 times average ET and 1.03148 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1978 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 8.480 ET, 160.71 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
| 1978 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 8.870 ET, 152.80 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
| 1978 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 9.370 ET, 144.65 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
|
|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
Web Image Search
|
Web Video Search
|
|
Notes: Also used a 340-inch engine. | Don's season started at Pomona for the NHRA Winternationals. Things didn't go so well. He made two sub-par passes with a best of 9.16. He and crew chief Jon Kaase changed engines and hoped for better results. Unfortunately, after waiting in line for six hours for one last qualifying attempt, the two of them watched as qualifying ended just two cars in front of them. It was a tough break. At the NHRA Gatornationals, Don qualified #5 with an 8.65/156.79. But in the process, he hurt his good engine. After changing engines, he ran 8.69/157 to beat Joe Satmary's 8.78/155 in round one, before losing to Bob Glidden's 8.59/151 in round two with an 8.73/154. At the NHRA Cajun Nationals, his 8.65 qualified #4 in the eight-car field. But in the opening round of eliminations, his off-pace 8.89/152.80 lost to Sonny Bryant's 8.74/155. On May 7th, he was at Englishtown for the NHRA Division 1 opener."Dyno's" 8.61 qualified #2 behind Richie Zul's 8.58. He really stepped it up in the first round, where his 8.52/157.61 beat Bernie Agaman's 8.73/157. But in the semifinal, his 8.60/157.34 lost to Frank Iaconio's 8.57/153. |
|
Submitted by Danny White, Last updated on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, 11:25:17 PM by
Ron Howard.
Approved by Super Crew. |
| 84408
EDIT THIS!
|
© David Oakes |
Don Nicholson (M) from
Atlanta, Georgia
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
205 / 1) |
1978 - Category: PS-CLASSIC, Type: LN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 2 |
| "Dyno Don" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Atlanta, Georgia
USA
| Crew Chief: Jon Kaase |
| '78 Ford Fairmont by
Don Hardy |
Powered by Carbureted Gas 366 Ford by Jon Kaase with
4 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
8.680 at NHRA D2 Suffolk VA 7/78 |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
154.10 at NHRA D2 Suffolk VA 7/78 |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1978 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 74.35,
MPH 58.22 |
Entry is 0.97858 times average ET and 1.00851 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1978 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 8.480 ET, 160.71 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
| 1978 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 8.870 ET, 152.80 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
| 1978 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 9.370 ET, 144.65 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
|
|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
Web Image Search
|
Web Video Search
|
|
Notes: 1977 World Champ. Dyno Don crashed this car. Also ran 8.75 at NHRA Englishtown Summernationals 7/78. | "Dyno Don's" Fairmont was delivered to him from Don Hardy on July 7. Rusty Greer, son of funny car driver, Shirl, painted the car. Nicholson debuted it at the fourth NHRA Division 2 race held at Suffolk. On the car's first full run, “Dyno" grabbed the low qualifying position with an 8.68 (Low ET) at 154.10. By virtue of his low qualifying spot, he got to make an easy first-round solo as the eight-car field was short a car. Unfortunately, Don was late off the line in the semifinals and his 8.81/152.80 lost to Dempsey Hardy's 8.89/148. Shortly after that, he was at Englishtown for the NHRA Summernationals where he qualified #12 with an 8.79. An opening round 8.75/153.06 lost to Larry Lombardo's 8.65/155 in Bill Jenkin's Monza. Don did not race at either the NHRA Grandnationals in Canada or the PHR Championships, choosing to go to Dragway 42 for the AHRA Grandnationals, where he finished runner-up to Shelby Jester. |
|
Submitted by Danny White, Last updated on Friday, February 21, 2020, 10:58:36 PM by
Ron Howard.
Approved by Super Crew. |
| 84409
EDIT THIS!
|
© Mike Sopko
Photog Web |
Don Nicholson (M) from
Orange, California
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
755 ) |
1978 - Category: PS-MOUNTAIN, Type: UN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 7 |
| "Dyno Don" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Orange, California
USA
| Crew Chief: Jon Kaase |
| '78 Ford Fairmont by
Don Hardy |
Powered by Carbureted Gas 500 Ford by Jon Kaase with
4 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1978 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1978 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 7.960 ET, 174.00 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
| 1978 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 8.460 ET, 161.00 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
| 1978 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 8.960 ET, 152.02 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
|
|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
Web Image Search
|
Web Video Search
|
|
No notes on this entry. |
|
Submitted by Draglist Archives, Last updated on Wednesday, March 28, 2012, 10:51:42 PM by
Danny White.
|
| 84410
EDIT THIS!
|
Norman Blake |
Don Nicholson (M) from
Orange, California
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
755 ) |
1978 - Category: PS-MOUNTAIN, Type: UN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 7 |
| "Dyno Don" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Orange, California
USA
| Crew Chief: Jon Kaase |
| '76 Ford Mustang II by
Don Hardy |
Powered by Carbureted Gas 500 Ford by Jon Kaase with
4 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
7.990 at Englishtown NJ 6/21/78 |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
166.35 at Englishtown NJ 6/21/78 |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1978 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 96.99,
MPH 70.57 |
Entry is 0.94444 times average ET and 1.03323 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1978 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 7.960 ET, 174.00 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
| 1978 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 8.460 ET, 161.00 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
| 1978 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 8.960 ET, 152.02 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
|
|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
Web Image Search
|
Web Video Search
|
|
Notes: Don was at Atlanta late in April for the IHRA Dixie Nationals. He qualified #5 in the sixteen-car field with an 8.51, but lost early in eliminations. His next stop was at Bristol for the IHRA Springnationals. Once again, he qualified well, running 8.52 for the #4 spot in the field. An opening round 8.51 beat Billy Ewing and in round two, his 8.53/157.61 beat John Brumley's 8.60/158. But in the semifinals, his 8.62/156.25 lost to eventual winner Lee Edwards' 8.38/163. Three days later (June 21), "Dyno" made history at a match race against Bill Jenkins at Englishtown. Don ran the first recognized seven second time in a Pro Stock car. In the first race of the match, his 7.99/162.45 beat Jenkins' 8.38/152. "Grumpy" won the second race with a holeshot 8.15/165 beating Nicholson's 8.10/164.53. But "Dyno" came back to win the match in the last race with an 8.01/166.35 over Jenkins' 8.19/166. | Also ran 8.21/163.04 at Budds Creek MD on 8/16/78. |
|
Submitted by Draglist Archives, Last updated on Monday, December 16, 2019, 06:57:05 PM by
Ron Howard.
Approved by Super Crew. |
| 84411
EDIT THIS!
|
Auto Imagery
Photog Web |
Don Nicholson (M) from
Atlanta, Georgia
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
205 ) |
1979 - Category: PS-CLASSIC, Type: LN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 2 |
| "Dyno Don" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Atlanta, Georgia
USA
| Crew Chief: Jon Kaase |
| '79 Ford Fairmont by
Don Hardy |
Powered by Carbureted Gas 366 Ford by Jon Kaase with
5 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
8.630 at NHRA D2 Bradenton FL 3/79 |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
157.34 at NHRA Pomona CA 2/03/79 |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1979 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 75.00,
MPH 72.39 |
Entry is 0.97735 times average ET and 1.01924 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1979 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 8.430 ET, 161.00 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.350 ET, 129.87 MPH |
| 1979 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 8.830 ET, 154.37 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.617 ET, 123.79 MPH |
| 1979 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 9.330 ET, 146.10 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.947 ET, 117.05 MPH |
|
|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
Web Image Search
|
Web Video Search
|
|
Notes: Nicholson started the year the way any racer would've liked, by winning. In January, he was at Tucson for the AHRA Winternationals, where he qualified #1 for the eight-car field with an 8.87/154.37. He beat Sonny Bryant in the semifinals to face Kevin Rotty for the win. In the final, Rotty's Camaro blew a motor shortly after leaving the line, and Nicholson got the victory with another 8.87 at 150.25. "Dyno Don" qualified #3 at Pomona for the NHRA Winternationals with an 8.654/157.34. Gordie Rivera fouled against him in the first round, and Nicholson advanced with an 8.68. A second-round 8.72/155.70 beat Sonny Bryant's 8.82/148. In the semifinals, he lost to eventual winner Bob Glidden. His 8.83/156.25 lost to Bob's 8.55 at just 140. He then went to Beeline and won the NHRA Division 7 Opener by stopping Gary Hansen in the final. At Gainesville, for the NHRA Gatornationals, he qualified in the dreaded #9 spot with an 8.68/156.79. That set up a first-round meeting with low qualifier Glidden. Once again, Glidden came out on top in their meeting with an 8.58/151, beating Don's 8.74/149.50. He then won the NHRA Division 2 Opener at DeSoto. He set Low ET in the final with an 8.63/151.77 that beat Jim Kinnett's 8.83/153 runner-up effort. He did not compete at the NHRA Cajun Nationals and showed up at NHRA Columbus with a new Mustang. |
|
Submitted by Draglist Archives, Last updated on Sunday, December 26, 2021, 03:33:43 PM by
Ron Howard.
Approved by Bill Pratt. |
| 84412
EDIT THIS!
|
No Photo (Edit this to add one!)
|
Don Nicholson (M) from
Atlanta, Georgia
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
205 ) |
1979 - Category: PS-CLASSIC, Type: LN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 2 |
| "Johnny Dowey" Owned by Johnny Dowey
from
Columbia, South Carolina
USA
| Crew Chief: Jon Kaase |
| '77 Ford Mustang II by
Don Hardy |
Powered by Carbureted Gas 366 Ford with
4 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
8.630 at NHRA D2 Desoto FL 1979 |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
156.24 at NHRA Indianapolis IN 9/02/79 |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1979 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 75.00,
MPH 64.10 |
Entry is 0.97735 times average ET and 1.01211 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1979 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 8.430 ET, 161.00 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.350 ET, 129.87 MPH |
| 1979 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 8.830 ET, 154.37 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.617 ET, 123.79 MPH |
| 1979 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 9.330 ET, 146.10 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.947 ET, 117.05 MPH |
|
|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
Web Image Search
|
Web Video Search
|
|
Notes: Nicholson borrowed the Mustang II he had sold to Johnny Dowey for the NHRA Division 2 Opener at DeSoto. He borrowed it back because he had wrecked his own Mustang II, and his Fairmont was set up for match racing and was not NHRA legal. It proved to be a wise move as the veteran ran 8.77 at only 141.73 in the first round, to beat Pat Williams' 9.22/147, and he made an easy solo in the semifinals as only six cars had shown for the eight-car field. In the final, he set low et with an 8.63/151.77, winning over Jim Kinnett's 8.83/153. Dyno Don ran this 77 Mustang at Indy and ran an 8.657/156.24. Confirmed by National Dragster, Nicholson family. |
|
Submitted by Draglist Archives, Last updated on Sunday, November 21, 2021, 07:45:06 PM by
Ron Howard.
Approved by Super Crew. |
| 84413
EDIT THIS!
|
Auto Imagery
Photog Web |
Don Nicholson (M) from
Atlanta, Georgia
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
205 ) |
1979 - Category: PS-CLASSIC, Type: LN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 2 |
| "TransGo Dyno Don" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Atlanta, Georgia
USA
| Crew Chief: Don Nicholson |
| '79 Ford Mustang by
Don Hardy |
Powered by Carbureted Gas 372 Ford by Jon Kaase with
4 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
8.430 at Unknown |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
161.00 at Unknown |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1979 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 100.0,
MPH 100.0 |
Entry is 0.95470 times average ET and 1.04295 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1979 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 8.430 ET, 161.00 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.350 ET, 129.87 MPH |
| 1979 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 8.830 ET, 154.37 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.617 ET, 123.79 MPH |
| 1979 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 9.330 ET, 146.10 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.947 ET, 117.05 MPH |
|
|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
Web Image Search
|
Web Video Search
|
|
Notes: Nicholson ran this Mustang after he crashed the Fairmont at a match race. At the NHRA Springnationals, he qualified #12 with an 8.79. An opening round 8.84/150.50 beat Randy Humphrey's 8.89/148, and in the second round his 8.82/152.80 advanced when Jim Kinnett fouled. Larry Lombardo, driving Bill Jenkins' Camaro, faced "Dyno in the semifinals. Don slowed to 8.89/149.00 in a loss to Lombardo's 8.80/154. He then went to Denver for the NHRA Mile High Nationals held at the end of June. A 9.31/144.69 qualified #5 in the eight-car field, forcing Nicholson to run low qualifier, Bob Glidden, in the first round. Nicholson tried hard in their race, but his 9.44/139.10 finished well behind Glidden's 9.12/141. A week later (July 8), he was at Suffolk Raceway for the NHRA Division 2 race. Don set Low ET at 8.51 and lasted until the final, where he lost to Frank Iaconio. His next stop was at Englishtown for the NHRA Summernationals. Nicholson qualified #8 with an 8.72, and he beat Ronnie Manchester in the first round. In round tw,o he improved slightly, to an 8.71 to beat Lombardo. Unfortunately, he lost to eventual winner Glidden in the semifinals. One of his better runs came at the US Pro Stock Open at Maryland International. Don first beat Carlton Phillips with an 8.72, and in the second round, his 8.70 beat Lombardo's 8.80. He went up against low qualifier, Glidden, in the semifinals, and "Dyno" caught a great light that saw his 8.68 beat Bob's quicker 8.56. Nicholson wrapped it up by beating Iaconio in the final. Byron Raceway held a Funny Car show that included a best-of-three match race between Nicholson and Glidden. The cars were said to be legal weight, but the times turned seemed suspect. Don won all three races, running times of 8.43, 8.36, and 8.34, as Glidden was right there with an 8.36 best. Early in August, Nicholson followed the NHRA tour to Canada for the Grandnationals. It was another eight-car show, and Don qualified #3 with an 8.57/157.34. An 8.62 in the first round, beat Canadian, Alban Gauthier's 8.72, but in the semifinals, he fouled against Glidden. At Beech Bend, for the NHRA Division 3 final, Don set Low ET at 8.71, but the Mustang broke in the final against Joe Satmary. Shortly after this, the car was destroyed in a crash at Dragway 42 during a match race. |
|
Submitted by Danny White, Last updated on Friday, August 22, 2025, 11:25:32 PM by
Ron Howard.
Approved by Bill Pratt. |
| 84414
EDIT THIS!
|
Les Welch / Grant Bittner Collection |
Don Nicholson (M) from
Atlanta, Georgia
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
205 ) |
1979 - Category: PS-CLASSIC, Type: LN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 2 |
| "TransGo Dyno Don" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Atlanta, Georgia
USA
| Crew Chief: Don Nicholson |
| '77 Ford Mustang II by
Don Hardy |
Powered by Carbureted Gas 372 Ford by Jon Kaase with
4 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
8.820 at NHRA Ontario CA 10/79 |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
154.37 at NHRA Ontario CA 10/79 |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1979 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 51.25,
MPH 50.00 |
Entry is 0.99887 times average ET and 1.00000 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1979 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 8.430 ET, 161.00 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.350 ET, 129.87 MPH |
| 1979 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 8.830 ET, 154.37 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.617 ET, 123.79 MPH |
| 1979 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 9.330 ET, 146.10 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.947 ET, 117.05 MPH |
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|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
Web Image Search
|
Web Video Search
|
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No notes on this entry. |
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Submitted by Danny White, Last updated on Sunday, December 13, 2020, 03:19:47 PM by
Danny White.
|
| 84415
EDIT THIS!
|
Les Welch / Grant Bittner Collection |
Don Nicholson (M) from
Atlanta, Georgia
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
205 ) |
1979 - Category: PS-CLASSIC, Type: LN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 2 |
| "TransGo Dyno Don" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Atlanta, Georgia
USA
| Crew Chief: Don Nicholson |
| '79 Ford Mustang by
Don Hardy |
Powered by Carbureted Gas 372 Ford by Jon Kaase with
4 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1979 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1979 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 8.430 ET, 161.00 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.350 ET, 129.87 MPH |
| 1979 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 8.830 ET, 154.37 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.617 ET, 123.79 MPH |
| 1979 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 9.330 ET, 146.10 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.947 ET, 117.05 MPH |
|
|
No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
Web Image Search
|
Web Video Search
|
|
No notes on this entry. |
|
Submitted by Danny White, Last updated on Tuesday, December 15, 2020, 12:51:04 PM by
Danny White.
|
| 84416
EDIT THIS!
|
Rick Oldfield |
Don Nicholson (M) from
Atlanta, Georgia
USA
(Comp Nr/Finish:
205 ) |
1979 - Category: PS-MOUNTAIN, Type: UN, Class: Pro Stock, Div: 2 |
| "TransGo Dyno Don" Owned by Don Nicholson
from
Atlanta, Georgia
USA
| Crew Chief: Don Nicholson |
| '79 Ford Mustang by
Don Hardy |
Powered by Carbureted Gas Ford by Jon Kaase with
4 speed manual transmission |
| 1/4 Mile ET: |
7.970 at Byron IL 1979 |
1/4 Mile MPH: |
166.97 at Byron IL 1979 |
| 1000 FT ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1000 FT MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
| 1/8 Mile ET: |
Unknown at Unknown |
1/8 Mile MPH: |
Unknown at Unknown |
|
|
Entry's 1979 Performance Ratings (0 to 100) based on comparison to average ET/MPH:
|
|
1/4 Mile Rating: ET 98.38,
MPH 62.88 |
Entry is 0.96372 times average ET and 1.01483 times average MPH |
|
1000 FT Rating: ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
| 1/8 Mile Rating:
ET 00.00,
MPH 00.00 |
Entry is 0.00000 times average ET and 0.00000 times average MPH |
|
| 1979 Records: |
1/4 Mile: 7.960 ET, 174.00 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.400 ET, 125.17 MPH |
| 1979 Average: |
1/4 Mile: 8.270 ET, 164.53 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.630 ET, 121.45 MPH |
| 1979 Minimum: |
1/4 Mile: 8.770 ET, 155.15 MPH |
1000 Ft. 0.000 ET, 0.00 MPH |
1/8 Mile: 5.960 ET, 114.84 MPH |
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No Racer Website |
No video link |
Web Search
|
Web Image Search
|
Web Video Search
|
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Notes: Here we go-1979 Byron MFM Dyno with that ugly style Mustang. In match race trim ran 7.97/166.97 - Rick Oldfield |
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Submitted by Danny White, Last updated on Wednesday, November 3, 2021, 08:49:29 PM by
Danny White.
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Rankings updated: 11/07/26 04:01:01 am EST
