Jack Williams
When the National Hot Rod Association lifted its seven-year fuel band prior to the 1964 season, nitro veteran Jack Williams shot to the forefront of top fuel racing. On the Saturday of the Winternationals, Williams won the tough AA/Fuel Dragster class earning him an automatic appearance in Sunday’s Top Fuel Eliminator final, however he destroyed his 392 Chrysler in the process. A determined Crossley, Williams and Swan team gathered up their healthy parts; drove 130 miles back home to Bakersfield; thrashed all night to build a new motor, and race back to Pomona in time to swap engines. Their effort paid off when they defeated Tommy Ivo to win the first prize a Ford falcon Sprint. Later that year, Williams scored another huge win at the inaugural Hot Rod Magazine Championships, one more than 30 open events, and never relinquished his NHRA points lead. A runner-up finish at the US Nationals clinched their first NHRA Top Fuel World Championship. After hanging up his helmet in the late 60’s, Williams remained successful as a manager and developer of race tracks.