Ben Wenzel paid $3,463.50 for a new Z-28 Camaro at a Michigan dealership a few months after the September 1966 introduction of the model. On Labor Day weekend in 1967 at the NHRA Nationals in Indianapolis, he won the Stock class in the turquoise Camaro.

At the same event, Bill Jenkins drove a ’67 Camaro to the Super Stock win, which marked the first event victories for the iconic Chevy Camaro.

Wenzel continued to have success in the Sportsman ranks through the years with the Chevy Camaro, and he’s entered in the loaded Stock Eliminator class that includes several entries of 2017 Chevrolet COPO Camaros at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals.

In recognition of his 50-year racing career and the Camaro’s golden anniversary, Wenzel will participate in a special match race Saturday against Chevrolet Funny Car driver Courtney Force, who will drive a street-legal 2017 ZL-1 Camaro.

“There were only 602 of these cars made, but we didn’t buy it because it was unique,” said Wenzel, 75. “We bought it because it was made to race. It’s always been a race car. It’s an amazing car.”  (Ron Lewis photo)  [09/01/17]

Tera Graves is wife of photographer and SHRA president Chris Graves. Both are veteran drivers. (Tim Marshall photo)

A note written on the record sleeve of the Bob Wills song “Take Me Back to Tulsa” was in the mayo jar on the Phlegm Building penthouse porch this morning.

Tera Graves, who has driven for Hale in the past, will be at the wheel of John Hale’s “One Bad Texan” AA/FC at the DRO AA/FC Challenge at Tulsa Raceway Park on Sept. 22-23.   [09/01/17]

The NHRA’s first super-track is offering drag racing fans the chance to win exclusive Champions Club tickets, an amazing starting line experience and VIP parking during the 32nd annual AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex, Oct. 13-15. The promotion which is underway now offers fans the chance to win one of three ticket packages good for Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

“We have a lot of fans on our social media platforms and we wanted to do something special for our Facebook fans. Tickets and parking are always nice but taking the winners down onto the starting line to see a pair of 10,000 horsepower race cars launch is life changing. This promotion will run exclusively on our Facebook page and there will be three different opportunities for fans to win tickets and parking,” explained Andy Carter, Texas Motorplex General Manager.

“Right now we are offering four Friday tickets to the Champions Club. In a couple weeks we’ll offer Saturday tickets and then right before the race we’ll offer Sunday tickets. Fans can like the Nitro Club post on our Facebook page and put a comment about why they would like to join the Nitro Club to be eligible to win.”

A full explanation of the promotion rules can be found on the Texas Motorplex’s Facebook page. Winners will be randomly selected from the verified entries. Fans can enter to win tickets to Friday’s first day of AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals qualifying here.  [09/01/17]