George Montgomery (drag racer)

George Montgomery (nicknamed "Ohio George") is an American gasser drag racer.[1]

Montgomery won an NHRA national title in a gas class seven times, once in A/G, four in A/GS, and twice in AA/G (supercharged).[2] He was also thrice Gas Eliminator champion,[3] meaning he had the quickest gasser at the meet.

At Detroit Dragway in 1959, he drove his Cadillac-powered 1933 Willys to an A/G win, with a pass of 11.94 seconds at 124.65 mph (200.60 km/h); he also took Little Eliminator.[4] He repeated at Detroit in A/GS in 1960, with a pass of 12.36 seconds at 107.65 mph (173.25 km/h); he again took Little Eliminator.[5]

In 1961, at Indianapolis Raceway Park, he took the A/GS title with a pass of 10.91 seconds at 130.63 mph (210.23 km/h).[6]

Changing classes to AA/G, Montgomery won again at Indianapolis in 1963, now with Chevrolet power,[7] recording a pass of 10.45 seconds at 129.00 mph (207.61 km/h), and also took Middle Eliminator.[8] He repeated the class win there in 1964, with a pass of 10.20 seconds at 138.88 mph (223.51 km/h).[9]

Changing classes, to supercharged 427 SOHC power in AA/G, for 1966, Montgomery again won the national title at Indianapolis, turning in a pass of 9.58 seconds at 153.58 mph (247.16 km/h).[10] He repeated the win there in 1967, clocking 8.92 seconds at 134.32 mph (216.17 km/h).[11]

He also drove the AA/G Ford Prefect he named The Gasser Passer.[12]

In 1967, Montgomery was offered a new Ford Mustang, and promptly retired the ill-handling Willys.[13] The Mustang gave him Super Eliminator wins with passes in the mid eights at speeds over 160 mph (260 km/h),[14]

Montgomery was a continuing favorite among touring match racers, often facing "Big John" Mazmanian and K. S. Pittman, among others.[15]

Montgomery was also inducted to the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame.[16]

He will be inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America on March 17, 2020.[17]

Notes

  1. Davis, Larry. Gasser Wars (Cartech, 2003), pp.180-8.
  2. Davis, p.180-7.
  3. Davis, pp.181-3.
  4. Davis, p.181.
  5. Davis, pp.181-2.
  6. Davis, p.182.
  7. Motorsport.com (retrieved 21 September 2018)
  8. Davis, p.183; Motorsport.com (retrieved 21 September 2018).
  9. Davis, p.183.
  10. Davis, p.185.
  11. Davis, p.185.
  12. Davis, p.187.
  13. Motorsport.com (retrieved 21 September 2018)
  14. Motorsport.com (retrieved 21 September 2018)
  15. Motorsport.com (retrieved 21 September 2018)
  16. Motorsport.com (retrieved 21 September 2018)
  17. 2020 Inductees at the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America

Sources

  • Davis, Larry. Gasser Wars, North Branch, MN: Cartech, 2003, pp.180-8.



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