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History The Name Game!..in Drag Racing

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by NITROFC, Sep 27, 2009.

  1. NITROFC
    Joined: Apr 17, 2001
    Posts: 6,174

    NITROFC
    BANNED

    I found this on DragList and it was compiled by Danny White over 10 years ago. This list is about the geographical names given to cars that gave them their identity. The names were done for several reasons: promotion, patriotism, and self-gratification. The new race cars today for the most part don't carry names, but only that of the race team, owner, or sponsor. The following is a good sampling of the cars named after country, state, city, or regional areas. Danny left off those carrying company names of sponsors because they lack that sprit of originality that used to flourish abundantly in drag racing.

    What else can be added to this list as of 2009

    STATES:

    ALASKA
    Alaskan / Bob Lundsford / TAD
    Alaskan Grizzly / Jamie Bodenstadt / AAFC & AAFA
    Alaskan / Joe Meinert / TD (Meinert lives in Pennsylvania)
    Alaskan Second Generation / Jacob Meinert / SP

    ARKANSAS
    Arkansas State Police / Louie Wallman / TAFC
    Arkansas Razorback / Russell Long / AAFC

    ALABAMA
    Alabamian / AAFC
    - drivers: Shirl Greer, Pee Wee Wallace, Paul Smith, Wayne Mahaffey & others
    Alabama Slammer / Scott Neal / AGas (California-based)
    Alabama Thunder / Gary Wells / PM
    Alabama Thunder III / Pete Williams / AG (Modified)

    THE CAROLINAS
    Carolina Wildman / Jerry Davis / AAFC & TAFC
    Carolina Daytona / Johnny Murray / TS
    Carolina Hooker / Ken Regenthal / PM & TS
    Carolina Easter Bunny / J. Ed Horton / TF

    CALIFORNIA
    California Trucker / Lee Jennings / ND & AD
    California Rattler / Ray Sylvester / TAFC
    - drivers: Mike Halstead and Sylvester
    California Rattler / Ray Stutz /TF
    California Sun / Nelson Lengle / TF
    - drivers: Ray Stutz and Bill Carter
    California Flash / Butch Leal / FC, PS & AFX
    California Highway Patrol / Dave McDaniel / TAFC
    California Gold / Ken Mooers / TAFC
    California Kid
    - driver Clive Michaell / AAFA (Great Britain)
    - driver Al Biscay / Jet
    California Stud / Dave Bowman / AAFC
    California Chargers / Keeling & Clayton / TF & AAFC
    - drivers: Rick Ramsey, Neil Leffler & Jake Johnson among others
    California Hooker / Keith Martin / AAFC
    California Charger / Mike Thermos / AAFC
    California Flame / Tom Brown / Jet
    California Smokey / Joe Douthit / Jet
    California Woody / Woody Gilmore / AAFD
    California Wolverine / Al Homen / TF
    California Cajun / Fred Mooneyham / TF
    California Deuce / Mark Watson / WS

    KENTUCKY
    Kentucky Thunder / Dan Nimmo / AD & TAFC
    Kentucky Moonshiner / Dale Funk / TF
    Kentucky Thunder / Bill McCormack /TAD

    DELAWARE
    Delaware Destroyer / Danny Bastianelli / TD

    LOUISIANA
    Louisiana Swamp Rat / Tommy Van Gossen / AADA

    OKLAHOMA
    Oklahoma Landrush / Jerry Jefferson / AAFC
    The Okie / Joe Githens / AAFC & TAFC
    - drivers Dale Tuter, Don Roberts & Joe Githens
    Pokie Okie / Skater George Chambers / TAFC
    Thunderin' Okie / Bob Alberty / TAFC

    MISSOURI
    Missouri Rat / Bob McCosh / TAD
    Missouri Mule / Lou Cangelose / AAFD

    MEXICO
    Mexican Mustang / Peter Russo / AAFC (Australia-based)
    Mexican Revolution / Johnny Valdez / AAFC (Texas-based)
    Mexican Jumpin' Bean / Hererra / WS (Texas-based)

    ARIZONA
    Arizona Thunder / Mike Hilsabeck / TAFC
    Arizona Wildcat / Larry Christopher / AAFC
    - drivers: Christopher, Mike Hamby & Dale Pulde
    Arizona Flash / Joe Brown / Jet

    NEVADA
    Nevada Rattler / Ricky Ruiz / AAFC, AAFA & TAFC

    GEORGIA
    Georgia Shaker / Hubert Platt / PS

    FLORIDA
    Florida Thief / R.L. Peyton / AAFD

    IDAHO
    Idaho Thunder / Dale Harsin / TAFC

    TEXAS
    Texas Whips / Carroll Bros. / TF & AFD
    - drivers: David Pace, David Settles, Richard Tharp, Marshall Love, Joe Bob Dobsen, Kenny Bernstein, Jim Ludden & many others
    Texas Crude / Ric Crews / BBFC
    Texas Whiz Kids / Mike Civelli / AAFD
    - drivers: Ben Griffin, Jim Nix (not Smilin' Jimmy Nix) and others
    Texican / Don Metz / TAD
    Texas Gold / Mike Withrow / TAD
    Texas Wildlife / Jim Farnsworth / TAFC
    Texas Connection / Kirk Johnson / TAFC
    Texas Ranger / Richard Langson / AAFA & AAFC (usually Nevada-based)
    Texas Bandit / Sam Harris & Richard Kiesov / AAFC
    Texas Super Cougar / Bill Rodgers / AAFC
    Texas Jet Set / Ancel Horton / Jet
    Texas Thunder / Hand & O'Brien / Jet
    - drivers: Ancel Horton, Danny Wright & others
    Texas Weasel / Prentiss Cunningham / AAFD
    - drivers: Raymond Beadle, Kenny Bernstein & others
    Texas Terror / James Cagle / AAFD
    Texas Rare Bear / Corvair Panel Wagon / Roy Trevino
    Texan / Eddie Hill / TF
    Texas Justice / Burl Brown / TAFC
    Texas Tremor / Jimmy Jones / TAFC
    Texas Yankee / Chris Berg / AAFC
    Lonestar Lightning / Hand & O'Brien / Jet
    - drivers: Tom Brown, Marvin Celsure, Tom Dazevich, Tammy Gatlin, Rocket Rod Phelps, Dick Rosberg, Jerry Segal, Bob Van Sciver, Danny Wright & probably others not listed here

    ILLINOIS
    Illinois Thunder / Eric Standerberg / TAD

    MONTANA
    Montana Raider / Terry Rice /TAFC
    Montana Express / John Mitchell / TAD, AFD & TF
    AD drivers: Ron Capps, Larry Dixon, Jr., Frank Pedregon, Jr., Tony Pedregon & Jim Rizzoli
    TF drivers: David Busby, Rod Fuller, David Grubnic (AKA Aussie Dave himself), Clayton Harris, Marshall Topping & Andy Woods

    KANSAS
    Kansas Badman / Ted Detar / AFC
    Kansas Twister / Porter Donn / AD & TAFC
    Kansas City Star / Phillip Brown / SD
    K.C. Bomber / Dale Wilch / AFD & TF

    IOWA
    Iowa Roller / Vern Moats / TAFC
    Iowa Shaker / Dickie Walters / AFC
    driver: Hubert Platt

    MICHIGAN
    Michigan Mad Man / John Cain / TF
    Michigan Wolverine / Tom Dunlap / TAFC

    OHIO
    Ohio Express / Mike Sage / TAD & BBFC
    Ohio Highway Patrol / Stan Bowman / AAFC

    MISSISSIPPI
    Mississippi Grass / Ricky Klarr & Jim Kimbrough / AEA

    TENNESSEE
    Tennessee Shaker / Gary & Steve Litton / AAFC
    Tennessee Bo-Weevil / Ray Godman / TF, AAFC & AAMR
    - drivers: Jim McCrutchen, Preston Davis, Larry La Due, Sonny Adkins, Bob Gibson & others
    Tennessee Thunder / John Livingston / PS

    COLORADO
    Colorado Challenger / Dick Custy / AAFC
    Colorado Gold / Dan Lexa / AAFC

    OREGON
    Oregon Pride / Donnie Holm /TAFC
    Oregonian / Alan DeBoer / AD

    VIRGINIA
    Virginia Twister / Kenny Warren / AAFC & AFC
    - drivers: Warren, Tom Smith, Billy West & Jim Wigglesworth
    Virginia Gentleman / Rusty Jackson / Q8 car

    WEST VIRGINIA
    West Virginia Mouse / Eddie & Mike Smith / PS, Comp & SSAA

    NEW YORK
    New York Earthshaker / Bruce Peterson / TAFC
    New Yorker / Casey Powell / AAFC & TF
    New Yorker / Clark & Paulin / TF
    - drivers: Sam Hagen & Jim Kowchefski

    CANADA
    Canada Frantic Four / Fred Farndon / TF
    Canadian Wild Rat / Tom Reid / TF

    ONTARIO
    Ontario George / George Gray / AAGS

    HAWAII
    Hawaiian / Roland Leong / TF & AAFC
    TF - drivers: Danny Ongais, Mike Snively, Mike Sorokin, Don Prudhomme, Stan Shiroma & others
    FC - drivers: Gordie Bonin, Russell Long, Mike Van Sant, Mike Dunn, Jim Dunn, Pat Foster, Rick Johnson, Bobby Rowe, Denny Savage, Johnny West, Jim White, Norm Wilcox & others
    Hawaiian III / Art Christy / AAFD (based in Great Britain)
    Hawaiian Eagle / Tom Seydel / Jet & WS

    REGIONAL PLACE NAMES:

    NEW ENGLAND
    New Englander / Rhea Goodrich / TF
    - drivers: Rit Pustari & Bob Simmons
    New England Charger / Dave Keddy / AAFC

    FLORIDA
    Gold Coast Warrior / Jim Alesio / TAFC
    Gold Coast Charger / AAFC
    Gold Coast Flyer / Don Neives / AAFC

    BAYOUS
    Bayou Shaker / Jim Robbins / AAFC
    Bayou Bullet / Larry Cummings / TD
    - drivers: Larry, Brett & Slate Cummings

    THE NORTHWEST
    Yukon Gold /Jerry Verhuel / AAFC
    - drivers: Mike Miller, Ed McCulloch & Frank Hall
    Arctic Traveler / Kenny Sitko / TAD
    Northwest Frantic Four / Lynn Welfringer / AAMR

    NORTHERN NAMES
    Northern Lights / Dave McElwain / TAD
    Northern Thunder / Robert Wilson / TAD
    Northern Thunder / Hector Pickering / TF
    Northern Thunder / Bob Davenport / PM
    Northwind / Jim Albrich / TF
    - drivers: Jim Barnard, Mel Van Niewhouse, Ed McCulloch, Jeep Hampshire, Ray Thode & others
    Northern Exposure / Larry Niebrydowski / TS
    North Racing / Hans Svenson / PS
    North Race / Ingemar Johansen / Comp
    Northern Rebel / Rick Burnett / Q8
    Northside Boys / Randy Rucker / SD
    North East Raider / Al Lombardo / AAGS
    Northern Force / Bob Elliot / AAFC, AFC & Jet
    North Star Racing / Clay Broadwater / AAFC & TAFC
    North Coast Flyer / Ken Nelson

    EASTERN NAMES
    Eastern Raider / Al Hanna & Joe Mundet / AAFC, TF, AFC & Jets
    - drivers: Al Hanna, Rich Hanna, Americo Carranca, Toby Ehrmantraut & Dale Pulde (AKA Western Raider)
    East Coast Low Rider / Mike Ragusa / PM
    East Coast Raider / Kenny Underwood / AAA
    Eastwind / Bill Hansen / TF
    Eastwind / Jim Merringer / TF

    WESTERN NAMES
    West Coast Gambler / Vern Hicks / AAFC, BBFC & AAGS
    driver: Gene Modlin
    Western Hauler / Carl West / AFC
    Western Raider / Gary Cochran / TF & AAFC
    Western Flame / Bruce Abbot / Jet
    Westwind / Mike Fuller / Nostalgia AAFD
    driver: Bill Dunlap
    Western Gambler / Sergio Recio / B/SP
    West Coast Charger / Paul Savadin / TF

    SOUTHERN NAMES
    Southern Star / Jerry Gulley / TAFC
    Southern Thunder / Bogie Kell & Mike Keenum / TAFC
    Southern Shaker / Rick Sherrill / AAFC & TAFC
    Southern Comfort / George Southern / AAFC
    Southern Wind / Frank Wilson / AD
    South Street Gang / Fred Slavdovich / PM
    Southern Rat / Sonny Leonard / PS
    Southwind / Don Cook / TF
    Southern Flyer / Clayton Harris

    OTHER NAMES
    Indian Country / Elvis Humphrey / AAFC
    High Plains Drifter / Chris Eckert / AAFC
    Aussie Raider / Graeme Cowin / AAFC
    Canuck / Dale Armstrong / AAFC
    China Syndrome / Al Hofmann / AAFC

    CITY NAMES:

    CHICAGO
    Chicago Fire / Mike Faser / AAFC & AAFA
    Chicago Fire / Bill Mattio / Jet
    Chicago Rush / Joe Gouger & Chuck Scherr / TAFC
    Chicago Patrol / several owners / AAFC
    - drivers: Tom Anderson, Dale Pulde, Fred Goeske, Gordon Mineo, Ron Colson, Pat Foster & Ed O'Brien
    Chicago Kid / Kelly Brown / AAFC
    Chicago Missile / Don Colisano / TF
    Chi-Town Hustler / Farkonas, Coil & Minick / AAFC
    - drivers: Ron Colson, Frank Hawley, Russell Long, Jim Liberman, Pat Minick, Wayne Minick, Clare Sanders, Denny Savage & Pete Williams

    LOS ANGELES
    L.A. Hooker / Gene Beaver / AAFC
    - drivers: Dave Condit, Kenny Bernstein, Jim Adolph, Jim White, Dale Pulde & Mart Higginbotham
    L.A. Hauler / Jim Holtz / TAFC
    L.A.P.D. Racing / Tony Foti / PM
    L.A. Challenger / Marv Eldridge / AAFC
    L.A. Stang / Arnie Frank / WS
    L.A. Dart / Bill Shrewsberry / WS
    L.A. Raider / Maurice Fabrietti / Nostalgia AAFD (Australia-based)

    DETROIT
    Detroit Tiger / Pancho Rendon /AAFC
    driver: Tom Prock
    Detroit Duster / Ernie Petit / WS
    Motown Shaker / Fred Johnson / TAFC
    Motown Shaker / Al Bergler / AAFC
    Motown Missile / Ted Spehar /PS
    - drivers: Don Carlton, Mike Fons & Dick Oldfield

    BOSTON
    Boston Shaker / Kosty Ivanoff / AAFC
    - drivers: Al Segrini & Ivanoff
    Boston Strangler / Arnie Karp, Robert Sweet / TAFC
    Boston Strangler Australia / Ian Brown / TAFC
    Mr. Boston / Hank Endres / TF
    Bostonian / Jeff Gorden / AAFC & AFC
    - drivers: Sammy Miller & Gorden
    Bostonian / Mike Cutuguno / Jet

    PHOENIX
    The Phoenix / Ron Fassl / AAFC & AAFA
    The Phoenix / Bernie Bicks / WS
    Phoenix Flyer / Dave Russell / TF

    OTHER CITY NAMES:
    Beartown Shaker / AAFC
    - drivers: Topper Kramer, Rick Johnson, Mike Dunn & Glenn Mikres
    Snowtown Shaker / Bill Schifsky / AAFC
    - drivers: Rick Johnson & others
    Sand Mountain Shaker / Jerry Rhoades / TAFC
    Seminole Shaker / Ron Rice / TAFC
    Dallas Express / Ted Isom / TAD
    Tulsa Oiler / Dick Moritz / AAFC
    driver: Jim White
    Houston Hustler / Johnny White / AAFC
    Warsaw Express / Joe Nowocinski & Tom Taros / TAD & Nostalgia Dragster

    NAMES IN REFERENCE TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:

    US
    USA / Al Hofmann / AAFC (Australia-based)
    USA -1 / Bruce Larson / AAFC, BBFC & PS
    US Enterprise / Various owners / Jet
    - drivers: Guy Zelinski, Ancel Horton & Tammy Gatlin
    US-1 / various owners / Jet
    - drivers: Lucky Harris, Fred Sibley Jr. & Sr.
    USA-1 / Hayden Profitt / Rocket
    - drivers: Hayden & Brad Profitt
    US-1 / Bob Van Sciver / Jet
    USA Racing / John Rocca / PM
    - drivers: Chad Newlee, John Rocca, Mike Harbaugh & John Speelman

    AMERICA
    American Taxpayer / Van Ivy / TAD
    American Flyer / Mike Kosky / TAD
    American Flyer / Bob Beatty / AAFA
    American Dream / J.R. Wade / AAFC
    - drivers: Ray Motes, Larry Gould & Brett Fanning
    American Dream / Vern Anderson / Rocket
    American Eagle / John Shoemaker / TAD
    American Eagle / Al Hofmann / AAFC
    American Eagle / Elliot Platt / AFC
    American Eagle / Plueger, Youngblood & Co. / AAFC
    - drivers: Gary Ritter, Gary Southern
    American Way / Al Lehman / TF
    - drivers: Al Lehman, Robert Sanders, Howard Haight & Al Friedman
    American Way / Bruce Andreas / AFC
    American Express / Al Segrini / AFC
    American Express / Clark Blackwell / AFC (not affiliated with Segrini's)
    American Bandstand / Don Hampton / AAFC
    American Graffiti / Harlan Thompson / AAFC (Great Britain-based)
    Americar Racing / Tim Cook / PM (Great Britain-based)
    American / Don Ewald / TF
     
  2. Thats cool, its nice to remember when cars had names and all were a little different. Much better than the prof. product we are stuck with now.

    Brad
     
  3. patrick66
    Joined: May 14, 2008
    Posts: 4,780

    patrick66
    Member

    Yup. These days, it's the sponsor's name on the entire side of the Funny Car, not the name of the car itself. $$$.
     
  4. Russco
    Joined: Nov 27, 2005
    Posts: 4,397

    Russco
    Member
    from Central IL

    Yankee Pack Rat / Jim Paoli / AAFC /AAFD
     
  5. Porter Man
    Joined: Oct 14, 2007
    Posts: 377

    Porter Man
    Alliance Vendor
    from Mound, MN

    My dad, Dave Babler, also drag raced in the early to late 60's under the name "California Woody". Don't know if that was be4 Woody Gilmore or after. Here are some photos, first picture is the later version. both versions had an all wood veneer shell. My dad's partner, Dick Clark, was a cabinet maker. My dad's the short guy in the doorway of the blue Truck.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Nov 22, 2009
  6. Maybe it was a Woody Gilmore built digger!
     
  7. Jersey Jimmy / Charlie Seabrook D/A Bantam Roadster

    I can't believe there were no other New Jersey based cars on the list!
     
  8. Porter Man
    Joined: Oct 14, 2007
    Posts: 377

    Porter Man
    Alliance Vendor
    from Mound, MN

    Actually, Lee Titus of Lee's Speed Shop did the engine for my Dad. He was in the Bay Area. My dad worked for Bay Area Mufflers.
     
  9. SundayNiagara
    Joined: Feb 15, 2005
    Posts: 104

    SundayNiagara
    Member

    Jersey Twister, '55 Chevy Gasser/MP.
     
  10. SundayNiagara
    Joined: Feb 15, 2005
    Posts: 104

    SundayNiagara
    Member

    Ohio George Montgomery
    Plus Ohio George and Pennsylvania George Hurst - "Gasser Passer."
     
  11. tkhube
    Joined: Jan 10, 2008
    Posts: 54

    tkhube
    Member

    kentucky Gambler . jerry Decker
     
  12. david christy
    Joined: Dec 27, 2010
    Posts: 3

    david christy
    Member
    from kentucky

    christy,s critter
     
  13. HBHarley
    Joined: Mar 3, 2012
    Posts: 1

    HBHarley
    Member

    Porter Man,

    Bay Area Muffler was My Grandparents/parents business in Santa Monica California. Yes you dad worked for my parents as well as being a very close family friend. He was my younger brothers godfather. and I have film at my parents house having a great time.

    I have been doing some research on the Belly tank that they raced at Bonneville and set a record for the engine class.

    The car was actually at the NHRA museum and I went out to see it last saturday.

    I am looking to get some pictures of any of the cars he raced top fuel and the bonneville cars. I have one picture of my grandparents and the belly tank that will share as well

    Funny how we all get into our parents business. I worked at bay area muffler for 10 years and decided to get out, my brother Jack took over the biz and finally sold the property and doing stuff out of his garage and look at you.

    let me know your thoughts. would love to chat sometime as well

    Thanx

    HB
     

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