Local Camaros flourished immediately even without the factory support enjoyed by the Chrysler-backed MOPAR cars. Both Gary Dodd and Harmon-Baker were able to win Pro Stock races in 1970 at the local level. In fact they faced each other several times as the photo above illustrates. There were plenty of others too, like San Diego’s Jack Manchester; Tucson, Ariz., pilot Kevin Rotty; and Phoenix runner Joe Rundle, who all visited an early ‘70s winner circle. When it came to the new ’70-1/2 Camaro from Chevrolet, Tom Jacobson came out with his latest version of “old Blue”, Butch Leal constructed a state of the art version of the new Camaro named “California Flash” of course; and Larry Johnson started on his way to a long Pro Stock career with a flashy “Stars & Stripes” painted ’70-1/2.

In 1971, Sonny and Herb Bryant showed up with a late model Camaro which held its own for years against the factory MOPAR onslaught. Sony hasn’t raced lately, but he is very much still a part of the sport with his Bryant Crankshaft Company creating the highest end fully machined original crankshafts.

The early MOPAR group relied on their tried and true 1968 Hemi Darts and Barracudas.