RIP Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins
03-30-2012 | 04:53 AM
#11
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Posts: 4,470
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From: Milton, Fla!
The "MAN"!
Jenkins won six of NHRA's eight national events that year, and with his $35,000 win at the Professional Racers Association event in Oklahoma, an increase in manufacturer support, and an expanded match race schedule, Jenkins grossed $250,000 to match NBA star Wilt Chamberlain's salary as the highest paid pro athlete in the country, resulting in coverage in Time magazine, the first time a drag racer had been given mainstream recognition.
Jenkins won six of NHRA's eight national events that year, and with his $35,000 win at the Professional Racers Association event in Oklahoma, an increase in manufacturer support, and an expanded match race schedule, Jenkins grossed $250,000 to match NBA star Wilt Chamberlain's salary as the highest paid pro athlete in the country, resulting in coverage in Time magazine, the first time a drag racer had been given mainstream recognition.
03-31-2012 | 12:32 PM
#12
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From: Miramar Beach
03-31-2012 | 08:02 PM
#14
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From: Wenonah, NJ
03-31-2012 | 10:33 PM
#16
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From: Beautiful Fort Lauderdale www.cheetahcat.com
He had a trio of heads up match races around the state with Sox, we hung out in his pits ,anyway the last race he took a photo with us, I have to dig it out now and frame it,one of his mechanics worked for Danny a while ago also.
04-01-2012 | 12:05 AM
#18
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,796
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From: La Grange Ill
The guy was a class act. Business all the way, but after the races, he was a blast to hang with at the bar.
One of my buddies that we drag race with bought his old 68 camaro less engine and tranny a couple years back. We talked with Bill over the last season about duplicating a 427 engine just like the one that was in the car when he run Pro Stock. Bill built the engine, dynoed it and personally brought it here to chicago last fall during the Rosemonts car show in November. He even brought a pair of Holley carbs that are correct date coded for the year of the engine. They are the original ones that he used on his engine in that car. It was'nt cheap by no means, but, well worth the price now. This engine will be the very last one to exit his shop, that was built by him himself.
I just wish I had more time to spend talking with him at the car show last year. He will truely be missed by many of us drag racers.
R.I.P. "Da Grump"
One of my buddies that we drag race with bought his old 68 camaro less engine and tranny a couple years back. We talked with Bill over the last season about duplicating a 427 engine just like the one that was in the car when he run Pro Stock. Bill built the engine, dynoed it and personally brought it here to chicago last fall during the Rosemonts car show in November. He even brought a pair of Holley carbs that are correct date coded for the year of the engine. They are the original ones that he used on his engine in that car. It was'nt cheap by no means, but, well worth the price now. This engine will be the very last one to exit his shop, that was built by him himself.
I just wish I had more time to spend talking with him at the car show last year. He will truely be missed by many of us drag racers.
R.I.P. "Da Grump"
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www.chicagopowerboat.com
04-01-2012 | 01:17 AM
#19
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From: VIRGINIA
So sad to hear, an inspiration of mine seeing him and Don racing back in the day always made me love the sport and trying to make things faster.....enjoy everyday of life while you can and make the best of your time here!! RIP
