Car of the Week: Dean Johnson's 1977 Chevy Vega

Welcome to the BTE Racing Car of the Week series, where we feature our customers and fans, and the cars (and trucks) they love to race. Today, it’s all about Dean Johnson from the Dallas/Fort Worth area and his 1977 Chevy Vega.

How did you get into drag racing?
Always wanted to drag race, but couldn’t afford it until about three years ago. Sold my first Corvette of 20 years to buy a race car.

When and where was your first race?
Three years ago at Northstar Raceway in Sanger/Denton, TX.

What model/year do you race now?
1977 Vega

What's under the hood?
434 SBC

Which BTE products do you use in your vehicle?
Spragless torque converter

Why do you use BTE?
An engine builder recommended BTE, sent mine into BTE to have it serviced. BTE called to see what, if any issues, there were and built it to meet my needs.

Someone you look up to in racing?
The ones who have been doing this for 30 years and have taken the time to help others.

If money were no object, what would you drive?
Would like to run ProMod! (Like that will ever happen.)

What is your pre-race ritual (if you have one)?
Giving all systems a good look over, servicing the car and clearing my mind.

Car of the Week: Dana Duckett's 1970 Chevelle SS 454

Welcome to the BTE Racing Car of the Week series, where we feature our customers and fans, and the cars (and trucks) they love to race. Today, it’s all about Dana Duckett from Grimes, IA and his 1970 Chevelle SS 454.

How did you get into drag racing?

My best friend had a drag car back in the late 80s, and I started going to the track with him every weekend. First we raced a 331 cid small block powered ’74 Vega at the Bethany, MO track and were the track champions in our class for several years. We then began running a ’67 big block powered Camaro and moved to the Princeton, MO track after Bethany closed. I’ve always been interested in cars, and always had a hot street car dating back to my high school days when I had a ’71 Chevelle running a small block (355 cid) with a tunnel ram. 

What model/year do you race now?

My current “hot rod” is a 1970 Chevelle SS 454 (LS-6) convertible clone.

What's under the hood?

It is a .030 over 454 with Speed Pro 10.5:1 pistons, factory LS-6 steel crank, Lunati 60204 Voodoo cam, lifters, and springs and many of the original LS-6 parts including 291 rectangle-port closed-chamber heads, 569 Winters aluminum intake, and an original 4492 Holley 780 carb.  

Which BTE products do you use in your vehicle?

It is backed by a Turbo 400 that Steve Oldani built for me using BTE internal parts and a BTE 11” Street/Strip stall converter running through a Richmond Gear 4.10 posi. 

Why do you use BTE?
I use BTE products because my transmission builder, Steve “the Trans Man” Oldani, had nothing but great things to say about your products and that your service was second to none. I had known Steve for several years before he did any work for me. Steve was rebuilding my convertible’s transmission and recommended several upgrades along with one of your street/strip converters to go along with the new engine I was building.  When I ran into some problems with my converter several months later, BTE immediately shipped me a replacement. The BTE tech staff followed-up and were extremely helpful. In this day and age, this level of personal service is unheard of and BTE’s willingness to stand behind their product and make sure I was completely satisfied was very refreshing. I’m sold on BTE products and recommend them to everyone I know! Your products speak for themselves and I'm a BTE customer for life.

Someone you look up to in racing?

I’ve always looked up to the door slammers in pro stock, including drivers like Warren Johnson and a guy with more local ties, Bob Morton who used to drive the Cooper & Kriegh Pizza Hut pro stock Camaro.

If money were no object, what would you drive?

An original 1969 DZ302 Camaro.

Car of the Week: Joey Painter's 1969 Chevy Camaro

Welcome to the BTE Racing Car of the Week series, where we feature our customers and fans, and the cars (and trucks) they love to race. Today, it’s all about Joey Painter from Boaz, AL and his 1969 Chevy Camaro. 

How did you get into drag racing?

I have lots of friends that race, so they got me started. I have been a drag racing fan my entire life. My dad, Troy, raced when I was a child. I guess it’s always been something I’ve been very interested in.

When and where was your first race?

First race I carried my car to was Alabama International Dragway.

What model/year do you race now?

1969 Camaro

What's under the hood?

496 Big Block Chevrolet

Which BTE products do you use in your vehicle?

I use a BTE Powerglide for 3 seasons now. 

Why do you use BTE?

I like BTE products because I have never had any problems with them. 

Someone you look up to in racing?

I am going to Scotty Richardson’s driving school, and if I can learn to drive like him everybody better look out.

If money were no object, what would you drive?

If I could afford it, I would travel the country doing nothing but racing and meeting new people. Maybe one day I will drive a pro mod car, but I also like bracket racing, 6.0 and 5.70.

Car of the Week: Nat Farrar's '72 Chevy Rally Nova

Welcome to our Car of the Week series, where we feature BTE customers and fans, and the cars (and trucks) they love to drive and race. This week, we return to our feature with the runner up in our recent [epic!] Wheel Stand Tournament which took place over several weeks. It was a hard-fought battle, and Nat Farrar of Tullahoma, TN was the second place winner with a massive amount of support. Here’s his story, and his car.

How did you get into drag racing?

Got into bracket racing though a friend back in 1996.

When and where was your first race?

My first race was in Huntsville, AL when George Howard ran the track.

What model/year do you race now?

I have a 1972 Chevy Rally Nova.

Car of the Week: Skip Tubbs' '56 Chevy Bel Air

Welcome to our series, Car of the Week, where we feature BTE customers and fans, and the cars (and trucks) they love to drive and race. Today’s spotlight is on Skip Tubbs of Wheeling, Illinois and his ’56 Chevy Bel Air; a car so well-cared for it’s even been featured in a Craftsman commercial!

How did you get into drag racing?

Everything about my involvement in racing comes back to my Dad (Red), he was my biggest influence and we were a father and son racing team. It was his racing back in the early to mid 60s that got me started. Right around 1962-63 my dad took me to my first drag race with him and some friends that were racing at Great Lakes Dragaway in Union Grove, Wisconsin. My first car at 14 years old was a 1940 Willys, although that car never saw the track.