(Greg Johnston behind the wheel during a burnout)
Photos and Text by Chris Graves
The David Ray owned “Nitro Pirates” Nostalgia Funny Car is ready for its debut in 2003. This 1974 Vega bodied funny car is driven by Greg Johnston and tuned by Jim West. This group of drag racing veterans dedicated over seven hundred man hours to build the car from the ground up in their Dallas, TX shop. The car has a highly modified 116” wheelbase chassis, 500 cubic inch Arias with Merlin heads, 871 Mooneyham blower, running on 85% nitro in high gear only putting the power to a Mark Williams rear end. The car will be run at nostalgia funny car events and match races across the country. The Nitro Pirates also plan to switch to an altered body and compete with the Outlaw Fuel Altered association events. The team has been testing with good results and Johnston is still trying to find his groove in his rookie season behind the wheel. The Nitro Pirates would like to thank Napa Auto Parts, Simpson, and Rob Olds Tire for their support. Watch out for the Nitro Pirates coming at you with header flames flying high in 2003.
Check back to www.fantasydragracing.com for more news about the team and when and where they will be racing this season.