10 CHEVY HIGH PERFORMANCE II NOVEMBER 2019
Record-Racking
Camaro
North Carolina’s Brian Oakes is
diligently keeping one of the single
most famous NHRA national record
holding Camaros in action. Brian’s
1969 Camaro was originally conceived
back in 1974 by highly reputed
Canadian engine builders John and
Allyn Armstrong (A&J Automotive)
in Nova Scotia. Over the years, with
both John Armstrong and Brian Oakes
driving, the Camaro gained a reputation
for frequently qualifying Number One at
NHRA events with its ability to run way
under the class index, seemingly at
will. The Camaro has owned the NHRA
national record for SS/CA—setting and
resetting that national standard—some
28 times. The car has always run using
either a 427/425hp or a 427/430hp big-
block, and has gone as quick as 8.
at 150 mph. Brian currently runs the
car in SS/AA at 3,260 pounds, while
touring with his wife, Shelli, at major
NHRA East Coast events in both the
U.S. and Canada.
STRAIGHT LINE
SPOTLIGHT
TEXT & PHOTOS: Bruce Biegler
White Whale Sighting
Maryland’s Robert Bender drag races a very rare
car that has some deep racing history. Since 2005, he
has been lumbering down the quarter-mile in a 1969
Chevy Kingswood two-seat wagon. This car, which was
originally owned by Frank Tantillo, won the NHRA Molson
Grandnationals back in 1988. It was then purchased by
Massachusetts’ Andy Stinson before he passed away in- The car sat idle for a period in Pennsylvania before
Robert found it, purchased it, and resurrected it for Stock
Eliminator. Robert never met Andy Stinson, but after friends
told him what a great a guy he was, he elected to keep
Andy’s name on the car as a tribute. The vintage wagon
features an engine program from Bub Whitaker out of
Burtonsville Performance Machine in Maryland—a 350
that NHRA refactored to 263 hp. The car, which weighs a
rather massive 4,400 pounds, has run a best e.t. of 12.
at 105.77 mph in O/SA trim, and has been a frequent class
winner. Robert has a lot of fun while racing, and travels to all
events with his wife, Penny, who is the crew chief. The duo
call Cecil County Dragway their home track.