Don Nicholson
With the hottest Chevrolet in the 40s, “Nick” street raced his finderless 1934 Coupe from Santa Barbara to San Diego. When Santa Ana opened, Don was there. Soon his “dyno-tuned” cars were pummeling the competition, winning Super Stock at the first Pomona Winternationals and the Nationals at Indy in 1961. Next, Don and Mercury stood the funny car contingent on its ears with “Eliminator I” and ran the first “funny” into the sevens. In 1969 Don returned to his first love match racing stockers. The successful program led to what became known as Pro Stock, with Don ultimately winning the 1977 Pro Stock Championship.