1961 NHRA Winternationals

The 1961 Pomona event was NHRA's second to be called Winter Nationals; the first was held in Florida in 1960, in conjunction with NASCAR, and was not a success.[1] It marked a return to NHRA's spiritual home: the association's rules had been written in Southern California, and LACF hosted NHRA's first ever national event, the Southern California Championships, in 1953.[1]

NHRA's Wally Parks worked with the Pomona Valley Timing Association (PVTA) to organize the Winternats.[1]

The Winternats were unusual for Southern California, due to NHRA's ban on nitromethane.[1]

The prizes were modest: four 390 cu in (6,400 cc) Ford V8s, one each for the Top, Middle, Little, and Street Eliminator winners, with a gift certificate for a color television set to the Stock Eliminator winner. The trophies were paid for by model kit maker AMT.[1]

Jack Chrisman (at the wheel of twin-Chevrolet-engined Howard Cam Special) took Top Eliminator over Tom "Mongoo$e" McEwen (driving for Dick Rea[3]) with an 8.99 in the final.[1]

Mickey Thompson won Middle Eliminator.[1]

Little Eliminator went to Dick Manz (in the Larry Sanchez-owned car), beating Frank Pisano.[4]

Street Eliminator was won by Johnny Loper over "Big John" Mazmanian (driving a Chevrolet Corvette.[5]

Stock Eliminator was won by "Dyno Don" Nicholson, which got him his start in match racing.[1]