Overview
William Tyler "Grumpy" Jenkins (born 1930) is an engine builder and retired drag racer. Between 1965 and 1975 he won a total of thirteen NHRA drag races.[1] Jenkins raced in theclutchless planetary gear transmission era. Most of these wins were won with a manually shifted four speed transmission. In 1972 he recorded 250 straight runs without missing a gear shift.[1]
He was formally trained as a mechanical engineer at Cornell University, and he used his training and skills to build engines.[2] He has been inducted in numerous motorsports halls of fame for his engine building skills in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Pro Stockdivision. His innovations include drag racing's first kickout oil pans, Pro Stock strut-style frontsuspension, and dry sump oiling system, and cool cans, electric water pump fan, gas portpistons, and slick-shift manual transmissions.[2] Considered the "Father of Pro Stock", Jenkins-built engines were used to win five NHRA Pro Stock championships and three American Hot Rod Association (AHRA) championships.[3]
He was nicknamed "Grumpy" for having a no-nonsense attitude at races.[1] The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America said: "his continual search for improved performance left little time for idle chatter with his racing colleagues."[1]
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