Yep, that's basically what happened, but Jimmy was also his own crew chief, Mechanic, Tow driver, etc. At 60 sumthin he is still going strong. He has two street rods and both are HEMI powered. '32 Plymouth with a Mecedes FI unit adapted and a '37 Ford not sure how the fuel is fed. His wifes car was a '72 Comet Just like Coop's. Still think she has it too.
I don't know about it being a "great" picture.... To me, it looks like the driver is briskly brushing off hot chunks of metal from his groin area! He is doing a good job at keeping his shorts from catching fire while keeping what is left of his car on the road...but I just don't think it is funny or amusing. Informative, maybe, but here is a picture of TRUE talent... In the same situation, I would likely successfully brush the hot metal off my 'nads, but would likely drive into the wall or crowds at the same time. To me, that is a scary thought
I agree with Terry, although he may be partial since she is Georgia (Dalton) born girl. I had the privilege of meeting her several times in the mid 90's. She is a very sweet lady and fun to be around. She even brought me a nice poster and autographed it for me.
The photo is considered by the drag racing press and NHRA to be one of the best of a real drag racing situation. The crank came out on the start of a burnout. Very little or no forward motion at the time. Jimmy was a low buck operator as were most of the guys in the club back then. Ivo, Prudhome and Safford were the only full time PRO's with major sponsors. Jimmy was unhurt, which was better then the engine. Back in the day, no one thought much about that stuff, it just happened and you moved on. That photo was a once in a lifetime shot, caught by a good camera guy. The crank was still spinning on the ground. I don't remember the name of the photographer's name right now, but his work is always featured at the NHRA California Hotrod Reunion. Jimmy is more famous among the old time racers for that engine failure then for the successes he had. If you live in So.Cal and see the car, you would shudder at the thought of racing this thing at 9:30's, 160+MPH on Nitro, but for the time it was a top notch car.
I have been working in drag racing since '77 and was a so so fan before that. What runs now with Goodguys, ANRA, and other regional associations is what ran when I was growing up. I like this stuff better the Pro NHRA. When I'm at an NHRA event I prefer the Sportsman stuff.
