Vic Penrod | 2019 NHRA SS World Champion

Walters, Oklahoma native Vic Penrod claimed his first NHRA National Championship after competing on the NHRA tour against hundreds of other racers.

Since 1998, Vic Penrod has been chasing a world championship in Super Stock. He has been around drag racing since 1972 when his dad started racing. When he turned 16 in 1985, Vic jumped straight into a race car and the rest is history.

The Car

Penrod’s Super Stock car is a special one. It is 1969 Camaro with a 427-aluminum head engine with a power-glide transmission. Penrod normally runs the car in C/A so a power-glide transmission is not the norm for that combination.

The car is a true Z/28 with 49,000 miles on it and was converted into a race car in 1972. The original color, which only 1% of all ‘69 Camaro’s were painted, was burgundy.

“Being that it’s the original color, it’s kind of a rare car,” Penrod said. “I’ve owned it since 1993.”

The Championship Season

With a total of 637 points, Penrod shook the Super Stock world with two wins and a runner-up in the national event side. Vic earned a win on the divisional side as well.

Penrod’s wins included the Route 66 Nationals in Chicago, IL, the AAA NHRA Texas Fall Nationals in Dallas, TX, and the LODRS race at Heartland Park Raceway in Topeka. Penrod almost visited the winner’s circle again in Topeka after a runner-up finish at the Menards NHRA Nationals.

“The biggest highlight of my season was my win at Dallas,” Penrod said. “It was special to me because I took over the point’s lead there. Plus, with it being so close to home, I had a lot of friends there.”

Penrod battled with several racers throughout the season for the world championship: Steve Comella, Joe Santangelo, Ricky Decker, and the closest being Kyle Rizzoli.

“Kyle had the lead until I won Dallas, but he still had races left to claim,” Penrod stated. “It came down to the final race in Pomona which he had to win. He went out in the semi’s, giving me the championship title.”

Thank You’s

“Proverbs 3:5… Trust in the Lord with all your heart and not on your own understanding,” Penrod stated. “I would first and foremost like to thank God, as none of this would’ve been possible without him.”

“My wife and family for their patience and support, and my parents,” Penrod stated. “I would’ve really liked for them to be here to see this, but they passed away years ago. My dad was my racing partner and my hero.”

Penrod also wanted to thank:

• Bob and Buggs Dennis
• Sammy Mathis for calling him “The Champ” long before it happened
• All of his friends who encouraged him throughout the season

Congratulations to Vic Penrod and his family on their 2019 NHRA Super Stock Championship! The DragChamp team is proud of you.

Find more articles on Vic Penrod here and here.

Megan Bohannon is a 25 year old Super Comp racer from Louisville, Kentucky. She races a 2015 American Dragster with a 648 Oakley Motorsports Engine. Growing up at the racetrack, drag racing is all she has known and never plans to give up on it. Megan works with TB Promotions in promoting their races and keeping entries straight, as well as keeping their social media pages updated.

You can reach Megan on Facebook or email at megan@dragchamp.com

You can reach Megan on Facebook or email at megan@dragchamp.com