1961 NHRA Winternationals

August 2023 1961 NHRA Winternationals Pomona Raceway Los Angeles County Fairgrounds The 1961 NHRA Winternationals was a National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) drag racing event, held at Pomona Raceway at Los Angeles County FairgroundsJodauga, John. "Greatest Races: 1961 Winternationals", at NHRA.net (retrieved 24 September 2018) on 19 February.Ultimateracinghistory (retrieved 24 September 2018) History The 1961 Pomona event was NHRA's second to be called Winter Nationals; the first was held in Florida in 1960, in conjunction with NASCAR, and was not a success. It marked a return to NHRA's spiritual home: the association's rules had been written in Southern California, and LACF hosted NHRA's first ever national event, the Southern California Championships, in 1953. NHRA's Wally Parks worked with the Pomona Valley Timing Association (PVTA) to organize the Winternats. The Winternats were unusual for Southern California,December 2025 due to NHRA's ban on nitromethane.December 2025 The prizes were modest: four 390 cid on Ford V8s, one each for the Top, Middle, Little, and Street Eliminator winners, with a gift certificate for a color television set to the Stock Eliminator winner. The trophies were paid for by model kit maker AMT. Results Jack Chrisman (at the wheel of twin-Chevrolet-engined Howard Cam Special) took Top Eliminator over Tom "Mongoo$e" McEwen (driving for Dick ReaUltimateracinghistory (retrieved 24 September 2018)) with an 8.99 in the final. Mickey Thompson won Middle Eliminator. Little Eliminator went to Dick Manz (in the Larry Sanchez-owned car), beating Frank Pisano.Ultimateracinghistory (retrieved 24 September 2018) Street Eliminator was won by Johnny Loper over "Big John" Mazmanian (driving a Chevrolet Corvette).Ultimateracinghistory (retrieved 24 September 2018) Stock Eliminator was won by "Dyno Don" Nicholson, which got him his start in match racing. Notes Category:1961 in motorsport Category:NHRA Winternationals NHRA