NHRA Pro Stock legend Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins died today.

He was 81.

Jenkins was a drag racing champion, a masterful engine builder, and admired by countless fans.

You can read more about Jenkins’ life and immense contributions to drag racing and engine building here.

In 1970, he became the first guy to break 10 seconds in a NHRA Pro Stock event.

To a pioneer and a worthy hero—grumpy or otherwise.

Godspeed, Grump.

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Author: Matt Griswold

After a 10-year newspaper journalism career, Matt Griswold spent another decade writing about the automotive aftermarket and motorsports. He was part of the original OnAllCylinders editorial team when it launched in 2012.