The Dragtime News February 2016 - Mopars Photo Special | Page 3

News & Events
NHRA Division 4 Hall Of Fame Inductions
NHRA announced that
Johnny Leibham and
Jerry Caro will be
inducted into NHRA’s
South Central Division 4
Hall of Fame. The
Division 4 Hall of Fame
honors individuals,
drivers and officials who
laid the groundwork for
NHRA Drag Racing in
the region. Leibham and
Caro will join the likes of
Eddie Hill, Raymond Beadle, Kenny
Bernstein, Bill Meyer and many more
in the South Central Division Hall of
Fame.

recorded eight Division
4 victories in 11 final
round appearances in
Street Eliminator and
Super Eliminator
between 1 964 and
1 967. After a short stint
in Pro Stock, Leibham
decided to step away
from the dragstrip to
spend more time with
his family and focus on
the family business.

Caro, of Houma, La., started racing
Stock Eliminator in Division 4 in the
late 1 960s. He later moved up to the
Super Stock category to find
Leibham, of Tomball, Texas, is a twotremendous success. In 1 981 , Caro
time Division 4 champion. He won
raced to his first Division 4 title in
back-to-back division titles in 1 964 and Super Stock. Three years later, Caro
1 965 in Street Eliminator. Leibham also went on to win consecutive Division 4
raced to a fourth place finish in the
Super Stock titles in 1 984 and 1 985.
1 964 NHRA national points standings
He also won two national events on
in the Street Eliminator category and
Division 4 tracks. In 2007, Caro
posted runner-up finishes at the 1 965
decided to retire from drag racing but
U.S. Nationals and the 1 965 NHRA
he still keeps up with Division 4 events
World Finals in Tulsa, Okla. He
and attends when possible.

Rod & Jill Fazekas’ PerfectMatch Nostalgia Nitro Funny Car Team
Husband & wife racers Rod & Jill
Fazekas’ are introducing their two-car
Nostalgia Nitro Funny Car exhibition
business and team, PerfectMatch Pro
Exhibition Motorsports.
201 6 will mark both Rod & Jill Fazekas’
40th year in Motorsports. The couple
first met when they were six years old,
racing AMA District 6 Flat Track
motorcycles. "Rod and I are very
enthusiastic about our new venture.
Although our program is in its infancy,
we are making progress every day,"
said Jill. "We are fortunate and thankful
to have our sport's most experienced
tuners, and many other long-time
affiliates lending us advice and
support."
1 970s funny cars and their drivers
undoubtedly had presence and
personality. Most cars of that period
were commonly identified with an edgy,
catchy and memorable nick-name. In
keeping with tradition, Rod & Jill's
Nostalgia Nitro Funny Cars will carry
the 'Domestic Disturbance' moniker.

Rod added, "Our husband vs. wife ~&~
Ford vs. Chevy 1 /4 mile battles will
feature 1 970s showmanship, dry hops,
long smokey burn-outs, huge header
flames and side-by-side 230 mph. 5second passes. The cars will be
running a true late 1 970s fuel funny
Ccar tune-up on 90% nitro." Current
sponsors include; PXP Racewear,
Stroud Safety, Jersey Girl Tie-Downs,
Simpson Race Products and S&W
Race Cars.
For more info visit www.pmnitro.com,
www.facebook.com/PMNitroFunnyCar,
and twitter.com/CrazyLadyJill

3

Route 66 Releases 201 6 Schedule

Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, ILhas
realeased its 201 6 event schedule .
The first of three Test & Tunes
presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts is on
April 1 6 leading to the first of eight
Rockett Brand Racing Fuel ET Bracket
Series races on April 24. Starting on
May 1 , Test & Tunes morph into Race
Your Ride events where local
competitors have the opportunity to put
their vehicles to the test. Junior
Dragsters get their first crack at the
dragstrip on May 21 , in the first of six
competitions for the season.
Taking place under the lights on
Saturday, June 4, the Four Seasons
Heating, Air Conditioning and
Plumbing Burndown at Sundown!
features jet-propelled, fire-breathing
cars rocketing to speeds approaching
300 miles per hour. The Burndown at
Sundown! serves as a precursor for
the Route 66 NHRA Nationals, July 71 0. The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing
Series will feature a full day and one
night of nitro qualifying.
The Super Bowl of Street Legal Drag
Racing showcases the National
Mustang Racers Association and
National Muscle Car Association, July
28-31 . On top of the monumental
street legal drag racing, the weekend
features a car show, swap meet,
manufacturer’s midway and much
more. Last year’s Super Bowl was the
closest contest in the event history.
On August 20, the D'Arcy Buick GMC
Route 66 Classic returns to pay
homage to early drag racing and hot
rod culture. Featuring nostalgia match
racing including funny cars, gassers
and pro stocks.
Tickets for the 201 6 events at Route
66 Raceway are on sale now and will
be available by visiting
www.Route66Raceway.com or by
calling (888) 629-RACE.