1978-1979 - 1978 Ford Fairmont Pro Stock

Taking a 180 turn from the swoopy Mustangs, Don commissioned Hardy to build a longer wheelbase Fairmont. Due to the wacky NHRA weight breaks, the Fairmont would carry approximately 150 pounds less than the Mustang. Don counted on a 340 inch Cleveland for legal competition. Don campaigned the Fairmont into 1979 and picked up event wins a couple AHRA runner-up finishes and a win at the AHRA Winter Nationals. Don reflected on the difference between the 1977 season and the 1978 season; “In 1977 my match race record was poor, but I was killing them at national events. This year I won 95% of my match races yet I couldn’t win a big race for love or money”. Don last ran the Fairmont as a match racer with the 516 inch wedge. It was during a match at Darlington that Don flipped the car, sliding it a distance on the roof before coming to a stop. The car was repaired and sold to the islands.