Original Build Date:  Approximately 1976

Our dragster has quite the history behind it.  Originally built for the Miller, Darien, and Gatlin team, the car was known as "The Green Spot Express", and competed in Top Alcohol Dragster.  The car had a runner-up finish at the NHRA Winternationals and the NHRA Division VII points Championship in 1976.  In 1977, Jerry Darien drove the car to a runner-up finish again at the NHRA Division VII Championship.  In 1981, the car won the NHRA Winternational and Bakersfield March Meet, and continued by setting a new National MPH record at 213.23, finishing 5th in the National Points and winning the NHRA Division VI Points Championship.  Retired from professional racing sometime around 1984, the car was traded to Kevin Franks, owner of Competitive Trailer Unlimited in Texas.  It's not known for sure if the car was raced by Kevin or not.  Sometime later the car was bought by a guy named Don Alley, and he brought the car to Kansas, where he built a trailer for it and raced it some.  Don's daughter became ill sometime later, and needed a handicapped equipped vehicle, so that resulted in another trade.  The car and trailer were traded to another guy by the name of Bobby Balderas for a handicapped equipped van for Don's sick daughter.  He owned a car lot and had a van to trade.  The trailer and car sat at his lot for a couple of years until Robert Musgrove went to look at the car.  Robert owns RPM Motorsports, based out of Wichita, Kansas.  He purchased the car in August of 2001, and started putting it back together.  He also called Jerry Darien and let him know he had the car.  After some needed upgrades, the car was raced again for a couple of more years in Super Comp/Super Pro.  However, Robert got to the point that getting in and out of the car was more of a challenge than it was worth.  That’s where my part of the story begins.  Mo Morris, then living in Jacksonville, North Carolina, had a 1963 Chevy Nova II that he ran in Super Pro at the local track.  For quite some time, he had wanted a dragster, and had been searching online.  During that time, Mo had also listed his car for sale, so should he find the car he wanted, he could use that money to purchase it.  What he didn’t know is that Robert was also looking for a car.  I can't recall who called who first, but after a few phone calls, a deal was made to trade straight across for the two cars.  Mo would end up with the dragster, and Robert with the Nova.  So, sometime in September of 2003, Robert loaded up the dragster in his trailer and delivered it to Mo in Jacksonville, and picked up the Nova.  In the few short years to follow, Mo only drove the car a few times, and his friend James drove it only a few times as well.  After that,the car was parked.  Shortly after Mo had gotten the car, I was extended an open invitation to come drive it at my leisure!!  I wish I had taken the opportunity then, but circumstances just didn’t allow it.  However, my chance would come at somewhat of an odd time.  In September of 2007, I married my beautiful wife, Stephanie.  I had asked Mo to come out to Colorado and be my best man, which he did.  During his short stay here, I joked about Mo letting me bring the car here to race.  Mo’s comment to this was:  “When you coming to get it?”  I was floored.  I never actually expected that to happen, but happen it did.  After a bit of a wait, I made the trip back to North Carolina to pick up the car from Mo.  So now, here it sits, in my garage!  Next year I’m hoping to return the car to competition after doing some required upgrades to the chassis and a few other modifications.  A new paint job is also in the plans, but not near the top of the list for things to get done.  Also in the works is a 598” motor that Mo hooked me up with.  It needs some new parts, and some cleanup work, but that is my best part (next to racing).  I am very anxious to get this bigger engine on the car! 

As with anything in life, setbacks happen and you deal with them.  Due to a few setbacks, we haven't been able to finish the car yet this year, but it's still a work in progress and we'll keep you up as to where it's at!!  

As with anything, we are looking for help to get things together, and with a little luck and the Good Lord up Above, we'll make it out there soon!

Current Specifications

Chassis:                   250” wheelbase rear engine dragster, with front and rear wings

Motor:                      600ci Big Block Chevy, with MSD 7-AL3 ignition and Pro-Power coil

Power enhancers:      NOS Big Shot Nitrous Oxide injection system, utilizing ComboFlo C02 actuated nitrous and fuel solenoids

Transmission:           GM TH400 three-speed, equipped with manual valve body and transbrake

Rearend:                  Ford 9”, with Mark Williams aluminum thru-bolt center section and spool

Gearing:                   4.10 ratio

Tires:                       Currently equipped with Hoosier 33x17x16 slicks

Parachute:                Deist Safety

Safety harness:         RCI Platinum 5-point

Fuel:                        Gasoline

Estimated performance:  In it's past configuration with a smaller motor, the car has ran a 8.70 second quarter mile @ 149.4 mph with a 125 shot of nitrous.  Expected performance with the new motor is high 7 to low 8 second runs all motor, mid to low 7's on nitrous

Work being done:           Change low gearset in trans from 2.48 1^st gear to a 2.10 1st gear.

                                    Change trans internals over to lighter weight parts

                                    Perform chassis updates in order to gain 2.5C, Advanced ET certification, which will allow the car to run as quick as 6.00 seconds in the quarter mile

                                    Re-wire the car to a more updated electrical system

                                    Install new delay box

                                    Install new shifter and shift controller to allow both shifts to be automated

                                    Re-paint chassis as needed

                                    Install new trans cooler with fan

                                    Install new, higher capacity water pump and radiator to help in cooling

                                    Replace older guages with larger ones for better visibility

                                    Upgrade fuel system

                                    Install new carb for better performance.

                                    Replace spark plug wires

                                    Rebuild rear brake calipers and replace pads

                                    Build new motor and install on chassis.

                                    Install oil filter relocation kit

Fabricate new deflector plate to fit behind driver's compartment

Adjust driver's compartment to better fit me