Tax Bracket Racing -- Sportsman/Pro Eliminator 1968 Chevy Nova

Purchased in 1997, his sophomore year at Piscataway High School, Frankie’s 1968 Chevy Nova has come a long way since its grocery getting days. Originally equipped with a straight six-cylinder engine and a Powerglide transmission, the car now sports a romping 406 cubic inch small block Chevrolet built by Gil Davis of Davis Racing Engines.

The engine, estimated at 450 horsepower, is backed by a Turbo 400 automatic transmission and 10-inch Dynamic torque converter that spins a Chevy 12-bolt rear end with 4.11 gears. The car, weighing in at 3,300 lbs, rides on Weld Draglites, and hooks to the starting line with help from Hoosier Quick Time Pros. With a best elapsed time on 11.36 seconds at upwards of 117 miles per hour, the car, dressed in Chrysler Electric Blue Metallic paint, looks as good as it performs. Frankie has driven the Nova to numerous wins at Numidia Dragway, Island Dragway, and Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, was a quarterfinalist at the 2004 Division 1 Summit E.T. Racing Series Bracket Finals, and earned the 2004 Island Dragway Street Eliminator track championship. The car even made a brief appearance in Super Chevy Magazine! For 2009, the specs for the Nova remain the same, as does the goal, which is to win races and the Sportsman/Street track championship at Numidia Dragway.