ScottRods AA/Gassers Brings Back Drag Racing’s Grudge-Match Glory Days

Back in drag racing’s golden days of the 1960s, jacked-up, small-wheelbase hot rods called Gassers ruled the nation’s drag strips. Cars with names like The Flintstone Flyer and Cat Skinner settled grudges on the hot asphalt in the infamous Gasser Wars.

Northern Ohio-based ScottRods AA/Gassers is determined to make sure this piece of drag racing history does not fade away. Come to a ScottRods event and you’ll find Anglias, Willys, Austins, and other rides with monikers like Crazy Grandpa, Green Goblin, The Warlock, Bone Shaker III, and Blew By You to name a few.

ScottRods AA/Gassers is the baby of Scott Leber and his wife Kathy. They own ScottRods Custom Hot Rods and Fiberglass is a Monroeville, Ohio, which makes nostalgia body and chassis packages Summit Racing is one of several sponsors of the club.

“We’re a competitive group, and big smoky burnouts, backup girls, dry hops, and wheelies make this as much about the show as it is about the go,” Leber explained.

Mike Kalinowski drives Unfinished Business, a home-built 1948 Austin fitted with a 1969 Contemporary fiberglass body that was used on the original Cottrell & Reichard AA/GS Austin. It’s powered by an alcohol-burning, 480 cubic inch big block Chevy with a stock 6-71 blower, a Vertex magneto, and Enderle Bugcatcher fuel injection.

His involvement with ScottRods AA/Gassers is a family affair; son Brad is the crew chief and his wife, Joyce, is the backup girl.

“We love nostalgia racing because of the challenge of trying to make cars that are technically wrong run fast and consistent,” Kalinowski said. “We enjoy being part of a group that entertains and interacts closely with fans, and also provides friendly competition between racers.”

The group’s cars run an eighth-mile using a 5.60 second index in an elimination-style format. ScottRods AA/Gassers rules state cars cannot be newer than 1967 and must have a straight front axle configuration and ladder bar rear suspension. Blowers can be no larger than a 6-71, and no electronics and trans-brakes are allowed. The cars must also meet current NHRA safety requirements. Unlike their 1960s predecessors, these modern Gassers run on race fuel rather than gasoline.

“These are very competent drivers who are as serious about safety and racing as they are about putting on a great show,” Leber said. “They are very capable of mid-eight second quarter-mile times. It takes talent to run on a 5.60 index in very ill-handling, straight-axle, short wheel-based cars, and it makes for an outstanding show.”

Brian Spotts races It’s Crazy, a 1948 Anglia powered by a 427 cubic inch big block Chevy with a Hilborn four-port injector and a BDS 6-71 supercharger.

“With only 92 inches of wheelbase and 42 inches worth of wheelie bars, it makes for a ‘crazy’ ride at times!” he explained. “We thoroughly enjoy AA/GS racing because of all the great people in our group and the challenge of setting these cars up to successfully make mostly straight runs!”

Bob Cook, who pilots the Crazy Grandpa 1957 Corvette, said it’s a thrill to see legends like John Force and Ron Capps watching his Corvette and other Gassers.

“What’s really great is we’ve become pretty good friends with a lot of the professional drivers at NHRA events,” he said. “They love seeing us at the track as much as we love being there.”

Cook’s wife Pam helps him back the car up to the starting line. Brother-in-law Paul Lepri is the crew chief, and his son Mike is a crew member. Cook’s grandkids Gavin, Will, and Ella get a huge kick out of seeing their grandfather burn rubber.

“With all the other racers and their families and friends, we’re just a big community,” Cook added.

The group, which began as the Ohio Outlaws and changed its name to ScottRods AA/Gassers in 2017, will be at these upcoming events:
• NHRA U.S. Nationals, August 29-September 3
• Night Under Fire at Summit Racing Motorsport Park, August 11
• Shakedown at the Summit, Summit Motorsports Park, September 14-16

For more information on ScottRods AA/Gassers and a complete schedule of events, visit the group’s website.