And far too early... https://www.nhra.com/news/2019/former-nhra-funny-car-national-event-winner-gary-clapshaw-p***es-away
Gary got started racing after buying an injected 460" BBC from my Nephew Lonny, they installed it in his FED and went Nostalgia racing, that was 1987. The following year, Gary had my Brother Jerry, build him a new FED with Blown BBC, at the same time I was racing the car in my Avatar, we had a fun Chrysler vs Chevy rivalry. Around 1989 or 90, Gary sold the landfill for a huge sum of money, and they decided to go big time racing. Gary bought a current T/F car from Dennis Forcelle, but decided not to run it, choosing to switch to Funny Car. The next move was to buy 2 Funnys, minus engines from Kenny Bernstein, when he moved to Top Fuel. Gary and Lonny were close, and Lonny was his Crew Chief and Tuner for many years, and while based here in Oregon, the operation was run out of Lonny's shop in Cove Orchard. The History Channel filmed a short Do***entary on the T/F car they ran out of Los,Vegas, the same car Garlits recorded his first 300 mph run. I hadn't seen Gary for some time, he was a self made man, and a good guy, RIP Old Friend.
Went with my brother Leon to Ennis to help on Gary's Fuelish pleasure F/C. Pulde was tuning it. Gary was a great guy. Jeez that seems like forever ago. RIP Gary you will always be remembered. Lippy
I saw Gary with the Fuel car at Woodburn trying to get the tune right and the team trained. Tuner Lance L****n was ***igned the task and I saw him lose his temper with the process a time or two. RIP Gary
The Jalopy Journal
