Hemi Power

Words: Bruce Biegler

Californians on the Cusp!

The winning reputation of Stockton, California-based Panella Racing is well known within drag racing circles. Simply put, their motor programs have been dominating for many years in many classes under the guidance of founder Bob Panella Sr. After winning countless Sportsman titles and then three NHRA Pro Stock Truck national championship titles (1999–2001), the team graduated to NHRA Pro Stock racing during mid-2006. Since that time, Bob along with his son Bob Jr., have raced HEMI®-powered Dodge cars that have been on an upward curve to prominence.

“We build all kinds of engines at our shop,” Bob Jr. (driver) confirmed. “We started our HEMI engine program because we saw the potential it had. It has a great foundation for 500 cid applications.”

For 2009, Panella Racing will campaign a stunning Dodge Stratus which they debuted towards the tail end of last season. The team will race it on a limited basis this year (8-10 planned events) as they ramp up their program for a possible full season assault in the future.

“With the experts we have at our shop and the technology we are privy to—we know we can be successful,” Bob Jr. added. “In Pro Stock the performance bar is always set high, but we are getting closer to some of the top running cars out there. Our overall objective is to chase the success we did enjoy in Pro Stock Truck racing.”

It’s that very notion which is in the back of the mind of any NHRA Pro Stock racer out there. Expectations are that once the Panella team finds its stride, the already stiff competition within the Pro Stock category will become that much more pronounced.

Rod Shop Revisited!

Ohio’s Larry Morgan has added a terrific nostalgia element to his NHRA Pro Stock racing program for 2009. The veteran racer and expert HEMI engine builder has given his Dodge Stratus a bold new look this year to help celebrate a past career association with the legendary Rod Shop. The Rod Shop is one of drag racing’s earliest and most familiar icon brand names which helped to catapult a number of Mopar® brand racers to future fame and fortune.

“This is my 25th year racing and the Rod Shop is where I started doing this for a living,” Morgan revealed. “I talked to Gil Kirk, who started the Rod Shop back in the mid-1960s, about the idea and he liked it. He was a pioneer big team owner of the day, much like a Don Schumacher of that time. Some great drivers drove for his team, names like Arlen Vanke, Bob Riffle, Mike Fons, Dave Boetman and Don Carlton. I came into it during the later 1970s and I feel fortunate to have been part of that mix. The Rod Shop look we have for this season helps bring back a lot of memories and the fans love it.”

The 2009 drag racing season also marks the 10th year that Larry Morgan has been involved with racing Mopar Pro Stock cars. His success with his HEMI engine program is both reputed and respected. In addition to his own car, Larry Morgan oversees the HEMI engine programs for a number of NHRA Pro Stock circuit racers including Rickie Jones and John Nobile. His motors are also used within NHRA Competition Eliminator Sportsman applications.

“Our years with Mopar have yielded some good results,” Larry added. “We work non-stop, sometimes 70-80 hours a week. In Pro Stock that is a harsh necessity to remain competitive.”

Morgan also provided a future glimpse for his racing team that will include his son Nick. In recent times Nick Morgan has raced a HEMI-powered Dodge Stratus within NHRA Competition Eliminator, however Larry confirmed he will migrate to the Pro Stock ranks, possibly later this season.