1981 AHRA Grandnationals - Pro Comp Dragster

By Rick Howard

The Alcohol Dragster final had Dan Nimmo (near lane) defeating Kevin Geiger.
Photo by Rick Howard

Lee Young, piloting his 433 cu. in. Rodeck-powered "Main Event", shook up the Pro Comp troops as he stole the No. 1 spot away from Kevin Geiger with a 6.63/197. His qualifying shot held up for Low ET of the event. Geiger, switching from Rodeck to Arias motivation only two weeks prior to the Grand Nationals, was strong! He led qualifying until Saturday evening, when his 6.71/208 was surprisingly relegated to second spot. Third spot went to the Rodeck-powered entry of Porter Donn at 6.74/208. The "American Flyer" of Mike Kosky, sporting a 417 cu. in. "Yenko" power plant, was fourth at 6.82/205. 

Dan Nimmo wheeled his "Kentucky Gambler" of Baines/Baines and Nimmo (sounds like a law firm) to a 6.84/203 for fifth. His 426 cu. in. Milodon entry was one of only two Chrysler-type "Hemis" in competition. The Keith Black-equipped Horstmann & Neibesick entry with Doug McCan went 6.84/188 for sixth. Bob McCosh, in the "Missouri (Rodeck) Rat" was seventh at 6.92/198. A 6.95/200 was good enough for the bubble and Steve Picou. A wounded Rodeck forced the installation of a 440 cu. in. steel motor for the race.

Pro Comp finalist Dan Nimmo had heaps of that elusive stuff known as "racing luck" for this event. No. 1 qualifier Lee Young red-lighted against Nimmo in their conflict during round one. In the semis, Porter Donn (the '80 points champ), lit the red eye against Nimmo.

On the other side of the ladder, Kevin Geiger's Arias was awesome. He first beat up on Doug McCan, 6.98/197 to 7.29/191. Steve Picou was the next to fall to Geiger in the semis, 6.96/203 to 7.60/199.

On paper, Geiger had the situation handled, but in the real world, it was not to be. Geiger faltered to a 7.42/144 while Nimmo raced to a 7.05 and Top Speed of the Meet at 208 mph.

Rick Howard
Rickie.Howard2@wpafb.af.mil