Car Craft All Star Drag Racing Team

Cory McClenathan was your All-Star choice for Top Fuel Driver, likely based on the outstanding performance (combined with great driving talent) of the McDonald's-sponsored Top Fueler of Joe Gibbs Racing. Much of the winning credit should also go to tuner Mike Green and Murf McKinney Chassis, both of whom also won All-Star trophies.

Cory McClenathan was your All-Star choice for Top Fuel Driver, likely based on the outstan

The '98 Car Craft All-Star Drag Racing team is dedicated to four-time CC All-Star winner John Myers who recently lost his life in a motorcycle accident. Godspeed, John...we'll miss you buddy.

There's no sport like drag racing, and there are no drivers like drag racers. While many motorsports thrive on fans watching the racing, most don't allow fans to intermingle with the drivers and crews. That's part of what makes drag racing great-fans can go into the pits, rub elbows with their favorite drivers, get autographs, and ask questions. That alone is usually worth the price of admission. It's this same concept that we apply to the Car Craft All-Star Drag Racing Team-let the fans and industry insiders choose who they want to be on the All-Star team.

We've been doing the Car Craft All-Star Drag Racing Team gig since 1967. Each year we run a ballot that lets readers and racers choose their favorite drivers, crewchiefs, sponsors, equipment manufacturer, chassis manufacturer, and automobile manufacturer. The votes are tallied and then three finalists in each category are formally invited to a big, glitzy All-Star awards banquet where the winners are announced. In addition, the CC staff presents awards including Special Recognition, Person of the Year, and the prestigious Ollie Lifetime Achievement Award. The "Ollie" is the most coveted All-Star award as it recognizes a person who, over their career, has made an outstanding impact on the sport of drag racing.

Warren Johnson continued to prove that he's definitely the "Professor of Pro Stock" as he scooped up All-Star honors as Pro Stock Driver. W.J. was also a finalist as Pro Stock Crewchief. W.J.'s sponsor, GM Performance Parts, was named to the '98 All-Star team as Pro Stock Sponsor. W.J.'s chassis builder, Rick Jones of RJ Race Cars, snagged All-Star glory as Pro Stock Chassis Builder.
Warren Johnson continued to prove that he's definitely the "Professor of Pro Stock" as he
In NHRA Super Stock, Dan Fletcher has been the man to beat. His Valvoline/Summit-sponsored '69 Camaro helped Fletcher land in the winners' circle on a regular basis including three straight times during the '98 season alone. Could this be why he was voted Super Stock Driver All-Star? Duh.
In NHRA Super Stock, Dan Fletcher has been the man to beat. His Valvoline/Summit-sponsored
Rick Santos is one of those guys who doesn't talk, he performs. His diamond-encrusted '97 NHRA Federal Mogul Championship ring is proof, but he's not resting on his laurels-he's working hard for the '98 ring too. Consequently, he was the overwhelming choice for the Alcohol Dragster Driver All-Star.
Rick Santos is one of those guys who doesn't talk, he performs. His diamond-encrusted '97

Earlier we stated that some companies, with their outstanding sponsorship support, make drag racing a reality for so many racers. No company offers more sponsorship help than Winston. Fans recognize this and, consequently, Winston was the clear choice for the '98 Top Fuel/Funny Car Sponsor All-Star.
Earlier we stated that some companies, with their outstanding sponsorship support, make dr
Once a rock starts rolling, it's hard to stop it. Such is the case with Alcohol Funny Car Driver All-Star Frank Manzo. As last year's Federal Mogul Funny Car champion, he's well on his way to another NHRA championship for '98.
Once a rock starts rolling, it's hard to stop it. Such is the case with Alcohol Funny Car
Although Stock Driver All-Star Al Corda won the '97 NHRA Winston Stock Eliminator championship with his super-sano, Mopar-sponsored, Hemi-powered '70 Dodge Challenger, he's struggling to repeat the feat for '98.
Although Stock Driver All-Star Al Corda won the '97 NHRA Winston Stock Eliminator champion

The banquet is open to anybody that wants to attend-and who can shell out the 75 clams for the ticket and show up in some fancy duds (preferably a tuxedo). In 1998, the banquet returned to its roots during the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis after a several-year departure to Dallas and then Los Angeles.

Putting on the All-Star banquet is a lot of work, and we couldn't do it without the support of great sponsors. Just like with a race car, sponsor support helps make dreams realities-so please consider which companies support drag racing the next time you make a purchase. There are also others to thank: the racers/builders for their outstanding efforts throughout the year; Jon Asher, Beth Stewart, Dave McClelland, and Chuck Schifsky for their weeks of hard work; and you, the fans who read Car Craft and have voted for your favorites. Now, without further oildowns, we proudly present your winners for the '98 Car Craft All-Star Drag Racing Team.

Pro Stock Crewchief honors went to the dynamic duo of Rich Purdy and Jerry Bickel who have made Jim Yates' (also a finalist) Pro Stock Firebird such a powerful force.
Pro Stock Crewchief honors went to the dynamic duo of Rich Purdy and Jerry Bickel who have
Ollie Lifetime Achievement Award
It's not surprising that readers voted the always-jabbering John Force as the Funny Car Driver All-Star, making Force a winner for the eighth straight time. It's Force's popularity that also made him the Ollie recipient for '98. Could it be due to Force's winning ways, his dangerous driving, his awesome antics, his witty words, or just because of his publicity ploys? We don't know, but it sure has made Force a superstar standout and worked to make a lot of non-racing people rabid fans of drag racing. Force always has something up his sleeve, we just can't wait to see what's next.
Ollie Lifetime Achievement Award It's not surprising that readers voted the always-jabbe
As of the '98 U.S. Nationals, seven of the top 10 cars in NHRA Super Comp national rankings were products of Kurt Damron's Undercover Chassis, which may explain why the Sportsman Chassis Builder All-Star trophy went to Damron's company.
As of the '98 U.S. Nationals, seven of the top 10 cars in NHRA Super Comp national ranking

Competition Driver All-Star Darren "The California Kid" Davis is far from juvenile, with driving talents that helped him to the final round many times-including the season-opening '98 Winternationals.
Competition Driver All-Star Darren "The California Kid" Davis is far from juvenile, with d
Persons of the Year
The father and son combo of Byron and Matt Hines has been an unstoppable force in Pro Stock Motorcycle during '97 and '98. Currently, Matt holds the best win record of any NHRA racing category and shows no sign of letting up. Together, Matt and Byron have brought outstanding awareness to Pro Stock Motorcycle with their domineering force and positive attitudes, which made them shoe-ins for the Car Craft All-Star Persons of the Year award.
Persons of the Year The father and son combo of Byron and Matt Hines has been an unstopp
Most anybody can buy a stack of speed parts, but to properly assemble the combo and tune it is the real trick. As crewchief for the McDonald's Top Fueler, Mike Green has consistently provided that winning combo. Green was awarded the Top Fuel Crewchief All-Star, and Cory "Big Mac" McClenathan snagged the Top Fuel Driver All-Star honors.
Most anybody can buy a stack of speed parts, but to properly assemble the combo and tune i

NMCA Racer All-Stars
If there's one notable about the All-Star Team it's that it has never been afraid to change with the times. As drag racing has changed over the years, so has the All-Star team. The biggest change this year is the inclusion of three driver categories from the fastest growing segment of the sport, "street legal" drag racing, as represented by the National Musclecar Association. You've read about these street-legal potent performers in the pages of Car Craft and Hot Rod magazines, and you made history by voting for your picks as the first-ever winners in this new category.

Gary Rohe is that little kid with a big punch. This year alone, Rohe has wheeled his home-built '80 Mustang to no less than seven final round victories and was the first EZ Street racer to crack the 8-second barrier. Plus, he's a nice guy. This may be why you voted him your NMCA Class Racer All-Star for '98.
Gary Rohe is that little kid with a big punch. This year alone, Rohe has wheeled his home-
The Pro Street class is what put NMCA street-legal racing on the map. Over the last few years Tony Christian has been snagging wins with his wild '57 Chevy that ran low 7s. For '98 Christian switched to a new, sleeker '98 Firebird but stayed with the proven power of a Reher-Morrison powerplant that had enough torque to grab numerous wins including Pro Street Driver All-Star for Tony.
The Pro Street class is what put NMCA street-legal racing on the map. Over the last few ye
Billy Glidden loves to race, just like his dad Bob Glidden. Bob has three All-Stars to his credit, and Billy's mom, Etta, even scooped up a few All-Stars a few years ago. Based on stellar performances in NMCA's Super Street class, Billy was named All-Star winner. Ever get the feeling that the Gliddens are just an All-Star family?
Billy Glidden loves to race, just like his dad Bob Glidden. Bob has three All-Stars to his

Federal Mogul has always been there to support Car Craft with parts for its buildups, but recently they stepped up with an unbelievable amount of sponsorship support for NHRA Sportsman racers. We shouldn't have even counted the votes because it was a landslide victory for Federal Mogul as Sportsman Sponsor All-Star. Pictured are F-M's Bill Martens, David Hakim, and Kent Chalfant.
Federal Mogul has always been there to support Car Craft with parts for its buildups, but
Rick Jones gained fame building IHRA Pro Mod chassis but has recently made the switch to stitchin' NHRA Pro Stockers. Currently, Warren and Kurt Johnson both use RJ Race Cars chassis and we know how well the Johnsons perform. Maybe that's why Jones was voted as the All-Star for Pro Stock/Pro Mod Chassis Builder. Oddly enough, Jones has built many chassis for Pro Mod racer Scotty Cannon who was this year's All-Star pick for Pro Mod Driver.
Rick Jones gained fame building IHRA Pro Mod chassis but has recently made the switch to s

Savvy CC readers will remember Mike Ferderer as the pilot of CC's project Super Glass '55 Chevy, but that's not why he won the Super Gas/Rod Driver All-Star. It's because you think he's cool. We knew it all along.
Savvy CC readers will remember Mike Ferderer as the pilot of CC's project Super Glass '55
Scotty Richardson has many NHRA world championship and CC All-Star trophies hogging space on his mantle. This year you forced Richardson to make more space for another as he won the Super Comp/Quick Driver All-Star.
Scotty Richardson has many NHRA world championship and CC All-Star trophies hogging space

'98 Car Craft All-Star Drag Racing Team

Top Fuel Driver
Cory McClenathan

Top Fuel Crewchief
Mike Green

Funny Car Driver
John Force

Funny Car Crewchief
Austin Coil/Bernie Fedderly

Pro Stock Driver
Warren Johnson

Pro Stock/Pro Mod Crewchief/Engine Builder
Rich Purdy/Jerry Bickel

Pro Mod Driver
Scotty Cannon

Pro Stock Motorcycle
Matt Hines

Alcohol Dragster Driver
Rick Santos

Alcohol Funny Car Driver
Frank Manzo

Competition Driver
Darren Davis

Super Stock Driver
Dan Fletcher

Stock Driver
Al Corda

Super Comp/Quick Driver
Scotty Richardson

Super Gas/Rod Driver
Mike Ferderer

NMCA Pro Street
Tony Christian

NMCA Super Street
Billy Glidden

NMCA Class Racer
Gary Rohe (EZ Street)

Sportsman Chassis Builder
Undercover Chassis (Kurt Damron)

Pro Stock/Pro Mod Chassis Builder
RJ Race Cars (Rick Jones)

Top Fuel/Funny Car Chassis Builder
Murf McKinney

Sportsman Sponsor
Federal Mogul

Pro Stock/Pro Mod Sponsor
GM Performance Parts

Top Fuel/Funny Car Sponsor
Winston

Equipment Manufacturer
MSD Ignition

Automobile Manufacturer
Pontiac

Special Recognition Awards
Steve Johnson (Pro Stock MotorcycleDriver)
Clark Head Gaskets (Richard Clark)
SSI Blowers (Gerry Korman)
John Slikkerveer (Goodyear Tires)

Persons of the Year
Matt Hines and Byron Hines (Vance & Hines Pro Stock Motorcycle)

Ollie Award
John Force