George Montgomery (January 27, 1933 – August 24, 2023), nicknamed Ohio George, was an American gasser drag racer.[1]

Montgomery won an NHRA national title in a gas class seven times, once in A/G, four in A/GS, and twice in AA/G (supercharged).[2] He was also thrice Gas Eliminator champion,[3] meaning he had the quickest gasser at the meet.

At Detroit Dragway in 1959, he drove his Cadillac-powered 1933 Willys to an A/G win, with a pass of 11.94 seconds at 124.65 mph (200.60 km/h); he also took Little Eliminator.[4] He repeated at Detroit in A/GS in 1960, with a pass of 12.36 seconds at 107.65 mph (173.25 km/h); he again took Little Eliminator.[5]

In 1961, at Indianapolis Raceway Park, he took the A/GS title with a pass of 10.91 seconds at 130.63 mph (210.23 km/h).[6]

Changing classes to AA/G, Montgomery won again at Indianapolis in 1963, now with Chevrolet power,[7] recording a pass of 10.45 seconds at 129.00 mph (207.61 km/h), and also took Middle Eliminator.[8] He repeated the class win there in 1964, with a pass of 10.20 seconds at 138.88 mph (223.51 km/h).[9]

Changing classes, to supercharged 427 SOHC power in AA/G, for 1966, Montgomery again won the national title at Indianapolis, turning in a pass of 9.58 seconds at 153.58 mph (247.16 km/h).[10] He repeated the win there in 1967, clocking 8.92 seconds at 134.32 mph (216.17 km/h).[11]

Montgomery also drove the AA/G Ford Prefect he named The Gasser Passer.[12]

In 1967, Montgomery was offered a new Ford Mustang, and promptly retired the ill-handling Willys.[13] The Mustang gave him Super Eliminator wins with passes in the mid eights at speeds over 160 mph (260 km/h).[14]

Montgomery was a continuing favorite among touring match racers, often facing "Big John" Mazmanian and K. S. Pittman, among others.[15]

Montgomery was also inducted to the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame.[16]

Montgomery was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America on March 17, 2020.[17]

George Montgomery died on August 24, 2023, at the age of 90.[18]

References

  1. ↑ Davis, Larry. Gasser Wars (Cartech, 2003), pp.180-8.
  2. ↑ Davis, p.180-7.
  3. ↑ Davis, pp.181-3.
  4. ↑ Davis, p.181.
  5. ↑ Davis, pp.181-2.
  6. ↑ Davis, p.182.
  7. ↑ Motorsport.com (retrieved 21 September 2018)
  8. ↑ Davis, p.183; Motorsport.com (retrieved 21 September 2018).
  9. ↑ Davis, p.183.
  10. ↑ Davis, p.185.
  11. ↑ Davis, p.185.
  12. ↑ Davis, p.187.
  13. ↑ Motorsport.com (retrieved 21 September 2018)
  14. ↑ Motorsport.com (retrieved 21 September 2018)
  15. ↑ Motorsport.com (retrieved 21 September 2018)
  16. ↑ Motorsport.com (retrieved 21 September 2018)
  17. ↑ 2020 Inductees at the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
  18. ↑ Early NHRA gasser star, Indy winner "Ohio George" Montgomery passes away

Sources

  • Davis, Larry. Gasser Wars, North Branch, MN: Cartech, 2003, pp. 180–8.
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