“Dyno” Don Nicholson: Legendary Drag Racer’s Story

Don Nicholson was born on May 28, 1927, and passed away on January 24, 2006. He was a legendary drag racer with a career spanning over 60 years. Nicholson was a trailblazer in Stock, Factory Experimental, Funny Car, and Pro Stock racing.

He earned the nickname “Dyno Don” for his early use of chassis dynamometers to fine-tune his cars in the late 1950s. This was while he worked as a mechanic at a Chevrolet dealership¹. He became a force to be reckoned with in the 1960s and 1970s, winning many championships and match races.

Key Takeaways

• Don Nicholson was a pioneering drag racer who dominated the sport for over six decades.
• Nicholson earned the nickname “Dyno Don” for his innovative use of chassis dynamometers to tune his cars.
• He was a multi-time champion in various NHRA categories, including Funny Car, Pro Stock, and more.
• Nicholson set numerous records and received various accolades throughout his illustrious career.
• He left a lasting legacy as one of the most influential and successful drag racers in American motorsports history.

The Early Years: From Oval Tracks to Dry Lakes

Don “Dyno Don” Nicholson started racing in the late 1940s. He began with oval track jalopy racing. Known for his aggressive driving style, Nicholson was often cited for speeding tickets on the street in his twin-97-equipped 1934 Chevy coupe.² Seeing many friends die in crashes, he left oval track racing in 1949. He then moved to dry lake racing.

Nicholson’s Beginnings in Jalopy Racing

Nicholson quickly became known for his success in jalopy races. He was a skilled and daring driver, always pushing limits. This often got him into trouble with the law.²

Transition to Dry Lake Racing at El Mirage and Bonneville

Disillusioned with oval track racing, Nicholson moved to dry lakes in California. He sharpened his driving skills at El Mirage and the Bonneville Salt Flats. This prepared him for the rise of organized drag racing.² This change was crucial for his career, leading to his success in drag racing.

Rise to Prominence in Drag Racing

Don “Dyno Don” Nicholson became a legend in drag racing in the 1960s and 1970s³. In 1961, he stunned everyone by winning the Stock class at the NHRA Winternationals. He beat Ford entries with a 12-second pass in his Chevrolet³. The next year, he did it again, proving his skills and getting access to top Chevrolet racing parts³.

Dominating Match Races with the Mercury Comet Eliminator

Nicholson’s fame grew as he moved to the match race circuit in Atlanta³. In 1964, he started racing a Mercury Comet in the A/Factory Experimental (A/FX) class. He won over 90% of his races that year³. His use of chassis dynos and unique methods like narrow rims made him stand out⁴. His Comet was the first to lift its front wheels during gear changes, exciting fans⁵.

Winning the Stock Class at the First Winternationals

Nicholson’s biggest win was back-to-back Stock class victories at the NHRA Winternationals in 1961 and 1962³. These wins made him a legend in don nicholson drag racing dominance³.

Nicholson’s success and creativity made him a fan favorite and a true pioneer⁴. He was always ready to adapt, like turning his A/FX Comet into a Funny Car in 1965⁴.

The History Of Drag Racer “Dyno” Don Nicholson

Don “Dyno Don” Nicholson was a legendary drag racer from the 1960s and 1970s. During this time, there were fewer NHRA national events⁶. Yet, he won over 90% of his match races, making him a top name in the sport.

Nicholson’s achievements are impressive. He holds the record for the most final-round appearances in NHRA categories like Funny Car and Pro Stock⁶. He was the first Ford campaigner to win a national event in Pro Stock, doing so at the 1971 Summernationals⁶.

His career was filled with milestones⁶. He won the Stock class at the NHRA’s first Winternationals in 1961 with a 12-second pass⁶. He won again in 1962 and in 1964, he switched to a Mercury Comet, winning over 90% of his races⁶.

Nicholson was a true innovator in drag racing⁶. In 1965, he made the first 10-second pass in a doorslammer and was the first to lift the front wheels when shifting⁶. He also defeated the Ramcharger Dodge with a 9.30-second pass at 150 mph⁶.

In 1966, his car, Eliminator I, achieved the first 7-second e.t. in Funny Car racing⁶. Throughout his career, “Dyno Don” Nicholson remained loyal to Ford and Mercury products⁷. He made it to the final rounds in nearly 50 national events during the 1960s and 1970s⁷. His legacy inspires drag racing fans, solidifying his status as a true legend.

Pioneering the Pro Stock Era

As the 1960s ended, legendary drag racer Don “Dyno Don” Nicholson worried about Funny Car racing dangers⁸. He was a pioneer in pro stock and started a match racing group with top drivers like Ronnie Sox and Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins⁸. This group focused on the A/FX cars of the mid-1960s, racing heads-up and weighing 2,300 lbs⁸.

Forming the Match Racing Super Stock Circuit

Nicholson’s leadership in match racing made him a pro stock legend⁸. He wanted to bring back the excitement of the sport. So, he created the Super Stock match racing circuit for skilled drivers⁸.

Ford’s First Pro Stock Win at the 1971 Summernationals

Nicholson’s impact went beyond match racing⁸. In 1971, his Ford Maverick won Ford’s first NHRA Pro Stock title at the Summernationals⁸. This victory showed his driving skill and ability to adapt in drag racing⁸.

Conclusion

Don Nicholson’s impact on drag racing is huge. He was a top name in the 1960s and 1970s, winning many championships and races⁹. His career lasted for 60 years, from the late 1940s to the 2000s⁹. He raced in funny cars and pro stock, earning many titles⁹.

In 1977, he won the Gatornationals, a big NHRA event⁹. Nicholson was celebrated for his skills, named Funny Car Driver of the Year in 1967⁹. He also got the Car Craft All-Star Drag Racing Team Ollie Award in 1977⁹.

He was honored in the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame and the Motorsports Hall of Fame⁹. This made him a key figure in American motorsports history⁹. Nicholson’s legacy still inspires and shapes the sport today.

Drag racing has a rich history, thanks to pioneers like “Dyno” Don Nicholson¹⁰. The sport started with Mickey Thompson’s first dragster in 1954¹⁰. It grew with the nitro-powered Top Fuel class in 1963¹⁰ and the Stock Eliminator class in 1955¹⁰.

Nicholson’s career saw the sport’s evolution, leaving a lasting impact on the industry.

Source Links

1. Book Reviews: “Dyno” Don, The Cars and Career of Dyno Don Nicholson – Drag Racing List – https://www.draglist.com/2020/12/04/book-reviews-dyno-don-the-cars-and-career-of-dyno-don-nicholson/
2. Dyno Don Nicholson Legacy – https://www.elevatecars.com/galleries/dyno-don-nicholson-legacy/
3. Don Nicholson – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Nicholson
4. The Official Biographic Information for Dyno Don Nicholson – https://dynodon.com/about/
5. ‘Dyno Don’ Nicholson dies; key part of NHRA growth – https://www.espn.com/racing/news/story?series=nhra&id=2304811
6. AMT 1/25 ‘Dyno’ Don Nicholson’s Eliminator II, previewed by Scott Van Aken – https://modelingmadness.com/scott/cars/previews/amt/1151.htm
7. Drag Racing’s Rebels & Dyno Don (2 Book Set) – https://www.midlifeclassiccars.com/products/drag-racings-rebels-dyno-don-2-book-set?srsltid=AfmBOorg5w9-cMRWv1FESModHcs0n33x1zw7CNYTV30ku3h6nmLfRVHS
8. TRIBUTE TO A LEGEND – https://www.yellowbullet.com/threads/tribute-to-a-legend.27931/
9. MotorCities – Remembering the Great Racing Legend ‘Dyno’ Don Nicholson | 2020 – https://www.motorcities.org/story-of-the-week/2020/remembering-the-great-racing-legend-dyno-don-nicholson
10. The History of Drag Racing – https://www.drivingline.com/articles/the-history-of-drag-racing/