This was 50 years ago in 1958 - From NHRA article on website "Little Eliminator, pitting the winners of the A through E Gas classes, was run the following day for the new Coca-Cola trophy, though, like in Top Eliminator, two winners in the slower classes conceded their chances, and only the A, B, C winners took part. Abilene, Texas' Carroll Howard, the A Gas winner, received the bye into the final, where he faced Junior Thompson and his South Gate, Calif.-based blown Chevy-powered '41 Studebaker. Thompson, the B winner, already had ousted C champ R.C. Jasper's '56 Chevy-powered '34 Ford coupe out of Grand Prairie, Texas. Thompson them trumped Howard's '58 Olds-powered '31 Ford with a 13.06 to become NHRA's first Little Eliminator winner."
2008 - Honorees were chosen for the 17th annual California Hot Rod Reunion, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California. The 3-day festival of speed and rods takes place at Auto Club Famoso Raceway near The Honorees are Grand Marshal Junior Thompson, Steve Davis, John Edmunds, Georgia Seipel, Walt Rhoades and Butch Maas. The Justice Brothers' Reunion Spotlight will shine on Gas Ronda. "This year's Honorees are a highly eclectic group of deserving individuals who have dedicated their lives to hot rodding and drag racing," said Greg Sharp, curator of the nonprofit Wally Parks NHRA motorsports Museum, which produces the Reunion. "I'm glad we can honor folks like this who have meant so much to the sport." Junior Thompson (Grand Marshal): The gasser great is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of his Little Eliminator victory (the first ever event) at the third NHRA Nationals held in Oklahoma City. From a '40 Ford convertible in the early '50s to a Corvette alcohol funny car, Thompson enjoyed a 30-year drag racing career as a driver and is still actively involved as an engine builder for nostalgia vehicles.
To view some photos from the event go to: Rhonda's CHRR Photos
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