1972 - 1972 Ford Pinto Pro Stock

Rules allowing compact cars to run Pro Stock came into effect for 1972. No longer would Maverick’s, ‘Cuda’s and Camaro’s dominate. It made sense that a smaller car with a revving small block could defeat a bigger car pushing more wind and carrying more weight. Building a Pinto was also financially beneficial for Don. In an interview he would state that “I could build a competitive small block for what it costs to repair the SOHC Ford”. The Cleveland powered Pinto would reward Don by winning the AHRA World Championship in 1972.

NHRA rule revisions for 1973 saw Don’s Pinto back at M&S at the end of October of 1972 for some refinements. One of the new rules allowed for a slight engine setback which required a new fire wall to be built. To make room for the new location of the Cleveland, rules also allowed for the fire wall to be relocated. An upgrade to the Pinto’s suspension was made at the same time. The upgrades paid immediate dividends as Don marched out and won the first 3 major races of the season: The AHRA Winter Nationals and the NHRA Winternationals and Gatornationals. In total the Pinto won 5 national events in 1973. And for 9 months it held the ET record with a 9.01.