Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins
My prayers sent
03-29-2012, 07:34 PM
#25
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Member Since: Jul 2000
Location: Chambersburg PA
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The Best
As a teenager living in Chambersburg, PA, I would go to York US 30 Dragway every Sat and watch him race in SS class. He was a legend in his time and would give them Fords and Dodges hell, plus put on a great drag racing show. He will be missed.
03-29-2012, 07:36 PM
#26
Le Mans Master
Back in 63 my older brother with his little 2 1/2 yr. old son and me went to Atco, NJ to see a meet between "Old Reliable" and Ronny Sox's Mercury Comet. He almost ran over all of us. They didn't call him Grumpy for no reason! 
Sorry to hear of his passing and for his family. But, he sure did help Chevrolet even if he was a *****.
Sorry to hear of his passing and for his family. But, he sure did help Chevrolet even if he was a *****.
03-29-2012, 08:38 PM
#27
Racer
Drag Racing has lost an Icon.
I saw him at the Summer Nat's in the 70's at E Town. The man had more tricks up his sleeve than most could possibly think of.
Big Rivalry between Chevy and Mopar back then. He left Sox & Martin scratching their heads more than once.
God Bless "Grumpy", you will be missed.
I saw him at the Summer Nat's in the 70's at E Town. The man had more tricks up his sleeve than most could possibly think of.
Big Rivalry between Chevy and Mopar back then. He left Sox & Martin scratching their heads more than once.
God Bless "Grumpy", you will be missed.
03-29-2012, 09:08 PM
#28
Drifting
Back in 1964 at the Summer Nationals at INDY...I was staying at the same motel as he was. I was in the motel parking lot working on my C Modified Production 55 Chevy. He came over and helped me with a problem I was having with some slightly oversized slicks . He showed me how to shave the outer edges so it could pass tech...And then gave a name and address of a local tire shop that could do the job in the morning. He will be missed by all...a real asset to drag racing.
Last edited by theofel; 03-29-2012 at 09:11 PM.
03-29-2012, 11:00 PM
#29
Melting Slicks
RIP Grump.
Thanks for all you have done for the sport....
Thanks for all you have done for the sport....
03-29-2012, 11:02 PM
#30
03-30-2012, 12:19 PM
#35
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Nov 2007
Location: Pittsburgh PA
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St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14
From the NHRA announcement: "Jenkins always took greater pride in his mechanical achievements than in his driving. Among his innovations are drag racing's first dry-sump oiling system, the first kickout oil pans and Pro Stock strut-style front suspension, and gas port pistons, slick-shift manual transmissions, cool cans, and the electric water-pump fan."
An amazing list of innovations. These are things we take for granted, and they were all his.
An amazing list of innovations. These are things we take for granted, and they were all his.
