Posted on 03/31/2012 4:52:47 PM PDT by Doogle
NHRA Pro Stock icon Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins, a master of the internal combustion engine and a legend among the Chevrolet faithful, died March 29. He was 81.
Jenkins, voted No. 8 among NHRA Drag Racing's greatest racers in a 2001 experts poll, scored just 13 NHRA national event wins but earned his well-deserved spot in drag racing's top 10 because no other individual has contributed more to the advancement of normally aspirated engines for drag racing competition than the legendary "Grump."
“Everyone at NHRA is saddened by the passing of Bill ‘Grumpy’ Jenkins, not only a pioneer in the sport, but also an iconic figure in NHRA Pro Stock racing,” said NHRA President Tom Compton. “He was there from the beginning, playing an integral role in the formation of Pro Stock, and remained involved in NHRA for decades. His presence and trademark gruff exterior and cigar will be missed but never forgotten at the starting line at NHRA Full Throttle events.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nhra.com ...
We used to match race against him when I worked for Pat Musi in the late ‘70’s.
he liked “match racing”....saw him and Sox & Martin race at Island dragway here in Jersey
I’ll bet you he asked St. Peter what his time was getting to Heaven.
Englishtown was my old stomping ground. I sold racing gas in the pits sometimes.
Lot of times the Sox & Martin car would in
there too
RIP Grumpy
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