Drove small-block-powered Chevy roadster to class and Jr. eliminator wins at the York U.S. 30 divisional event
Won class and Jr. eliminator at the Continental Divide Raceway championships
Also scored class and eliminator win at Omaha Dragway
Jim Nelson finished in second place
1962
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
VAN DEVENTER WINS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Jess Van Deventer drove his small-block Chevy B/Modified Roadster to the 1962 world championship. It was the last year a single champ was crowned.
DRAGMASTERS WIN WINTERNATIONALS
Jim Nelson, who with partner Dode Martin had begun to dominate the dragster chassis business, won the NHRA Winternationals Top Eliminator title by defeating the highly touted team of Gene Adams and Tom McEwen in the final.
CHRISMAN KEEPS ON WINNING
Defending NHRA world champion Jack Chrisman added to his legendary career by winning the 1962 NHRA Nationals, defeating Don Garlits’ Swamp Rat IV in the final.
PARTRIDGE JOINS NHRA
In late year, Bernie Partridge began his long association with the NHRA as the new Southwest Division Director and would rise to become Vice President of Field Operations before retiring in 1989.
