If you have Speed Channel - did you catch the NASCAR past champions show today? They featured Jack Roush, who many of you know was huge in the drag racing scene in earlier days. I caught only about 2 minutes of it at a store with no sound turned up. Looks like tons of old pictures of drag racing Ford's, and then there was a great full car shot of a 4 door MAVERICK at the line. 70-72 style car and grill. Good news is the show will rebroadcast at 1:30 am eastern later tonight (early Friday morning). I'm gonna set the VCR and have a good look at that Maverick and the other racing Ford's. Thought everyone might be interested too. Anybody see that show today? UPDATE: Guide list was wrong - but it did tape Shelby History, so that is cool too. Program guide shows, as others have stated in the post - SATURDAY @ 1:30 Eastern - Speed Channel
I had the Gapp and Roush Maverick poster above my headboard. I believe they started racing that car in 1970? Is it true they had to make a 4dr cause no 4dr mavs in 70? After I moved out of my parents house my Mom tore down all my posters. At the time I could not imagine why she did such a thing. LOL. Dan
I just scolled through the guide on Direct TV and NASCAR Nation is on from 1:00 AM to 2:00 AM. The next time NASCAR Past Champions, with Jack Roush, is on for viewing is 1:30 AM - Saturday morning. Can someone else double check this, please?
I always heard they used the 4 door due to better weight transfer. I guess the front wheels wouldn't come up as much. Seth
That's funny - I just checked the program guide and it says Friday. Here it is from speedtv.com Jack Roush Fri, Feb 25 1:30AM Dale Earnhardt - Part 1 Thu, Mar 3 6:30PM Dale Earnhardt - Part 2 Thu, Mar 10 6:30PM Jeff Gordon Thu, Mar 17 6:30PM Jeff Gordon Fri, Mar 18 2:30PM Darrell Waltrip Thu, Mar 24 6:30PM Well if it isn't on late tonight - at least we know it will be on Saturday too.
UPDATE: Guide list was wrong - but it did tape Shelby History, so that is cool too. Program guide shows, as others have stated in the post - SATURDAY @ 1:30 Eastern - Speed Channel
I always thought is was a NHRA wheelbase issue The two door wheelbase was too short, so they had to run a 4 door
Yeah Dan it's been awhile but I remember reading about that car, it came out in 1971 and they used the 4dr Maverick because of wheelbase rules.
Yall are close, Wayne Gapp and Jack Roush used the 4 door because it had a longer wheelbase, they felt like it would handle better on the top end. A lot of the guys were just starting to use the Pintos and Vegas and they were squirrelly with the short wheelbase. Aero wasn't that big an issue back then so the 4 door had the same front as the 2 door and was thought to be just as fast but the longer wheelbase would give it more stability, hence it would run a straight line easier. That is the same reason a top fuel car is so long, it is easier to keep straight. Look at the funny cars......they get all kinds of sideways very quickley. I'd like to see someone do a street clone of the Gapp and Roush car, would be really cool.
