Lever Legends: Honoring the Kings of Pro Stock Drag Racing
At Revelry1, we're driven by more than horsepower and speed—we live for the stories of the legends who built drag racing into what it is today. That's why we created the Lever Legends Collection, a series of apparel celebrating the Pro Stock pioneers who turned grabbing gears and rowing four-speeds into an art form.
These weren't just racers - they were gladiators. Innovators, builders, and masters of the craft who pushed the limits of what was possible with their race cars. Their generation had to be flawless, from Q1 to E4, from the moment they fired up the motor to the second they made the turnoff at the racetrack. There was no margin for error. With every shirt and hat in our collection, we're paying tribute to their grit, their legacy, and the golden age of NHRA Pro Stock.
Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins — The Malvern Wizard
Bill Jenkins wasn't just a driver—he was a mechanical genius. Known as "Grumpy" for his no-nonsense demeanor, Jenkins built some of the most dominant Pro Stock cars of the 1970s. From pioneering small-block Chevy development to building bulletproof engines that crushed the competition, his fingerprints are all over drag racing history. His four-speed Lenco cars became legends in their own right, and his approach to engine science revolutionized the sport forever.
On a personal note, my uncles, John and Mike Fons, ran the Pro Stock Truck class in the late '90s, and we got engines from "Grump." Needless to say, they were plenty fast - and you never had to wonder what he was thinking. The man had the confidence to back up every idea he brought to the track.
Bob Glidden - The Ford Giant
When it came to consistency and dominance, Bob Glidden stood in a class of his own. With 10 NHRA Pro Stock championships, he's remembered as one of the winningest drivers in drag racing history. Glidden's trademark Fords—especially his Fairmonts and Thunderbirds—defined an era. His relentless pursuit of perfection made him the driver everyone else was chasing, race after race.
I still remember being around 6 years old when my dad, Troy Sr., started racing Pro Stock. Every time we'd hit a racetrack, Bob's pit was packed with fans wanting to watch him work and hoping to catch a glimpse under the hood. And he always took time - always kind to every single fan. Bob was a true class act and a role model for the next generation. You could see the magic in how he approached each round, and fans knew they were watching something special.
Lee Shepherd - The Natural
Some drivers make a Pro Stock car look effortless. That was Lee Shepherd - nicknamed "The Natural." In the early 1980s, he took Pro Stock by storm, winning four straight NHRA championships from 1981 to 1984. Calm under pressure, deadly precise on the tree, and fearless at speed, Shepherd embodied cool-headed consistency at every starting line.
I've always compared Lee to my Uncle Jeg - steady, composed, and impossible to rattle. Both drove with a calm precision that fans will never forget. Whether it was a match race or the World Finals, Lee had the patience and control to deliver when it mattered most.
Warren "The Professor" Johnson
If Pro Stock had a classroom, Warren Johnson would've been at the head of it. Nicknamed "The Professor," Warren mixed brainpower with brute horsepower, becoming one of the sport's greatest thinkers and teachers. With six NHRA Pro Stock championships, he proved that science and speed are the ultimate combination. His meticulous approach to tuning and driving raised the bar for everyone who lined up against him.
I'll never forget the rivalry our family team had with Warren. So many incredible races at tracks like Maple Grove Raceway and beyond. He usually had the fastest car and the most power—because that's what he worked around the clock for. You could talk to Warren about any details of his program, and he'd breathe racing knowledge. The man took pride in his craft and never stopped working to improve it.
The Heart of Pro Stock Racing
These legends didn't just win - they built the foundation of what Pro Stock racing became. From the beginning of their careers to their retirement years, each brought something unique to the sport. Whether it was Jenkins' mechanical wizardry, Glidden's Ford dominance, Shepherd's natural talent, or Johnson's scientific approach, they all shared one thing: an unwavering commitment to victory.
All across the country, fans would pack the stands to watch these gladiators race each other in wheel-to-wheel combat. Every photo from that era tells a story of grit, determination, and the pursuit of speed. These weren't just drivers - they were the friends and heroes who made the sport what it is today.
Why Lever Legends?
I've always geeked out about the history of our sport and everything that comes with it. Pro Stock is in my blood—it's what I grew up around - and there's just so much to learn and love. The Lever Legends Collection is our way of honoring the era of the 4-speed Lenco and the drivers who manned them—a time when brute power met driver skill, and races were won by those who could row the gears with flawless precision.
When you're working in your garage, turning wheels and chasing that perfect setup, or when you're at the track feeling the game-day pressure, you're following in the footsteps of these amazing competitors. They hung their career on every pass, knowing that one mistake could mean trouble. But that's what made them great - they thrived under pressure and delivered when it counted.
These shirts and hats are more than just apparel. They're a tribute to the drivers who made drag racing history and to the fans who still live for that raw, stick-shift glory. Whether you're owned by the sport like we are, or you're just discovering the fun of drag racing, wearing a piece from the Lever Legends Collection connects you to something bigger.
The Legacy Lives On
From the middle of the pack to the winner's circle, these old cars and their drivers wrote the content of drag racing's greatest chapters. Every son who followed in their father's footsteps, every mechanic who learned to protect their clutch and maximize their body setup, every fan who fell in love with the sport—they all owe something to these pioneers.
So when you wear a Lever Legends tee or rope hat, you're not just repping a brand - you're carrying the spirit of Jenkins, Glidden, Shepherd, Johnson, and every driver who proved that true racing is done one gear at a time. You're honoring the location where legends were made and the services they provided to elevate the entire sport.
Shop the Lever Legends Collection now.
Because legends don't fade - they live on, one gear at a time.