Born to Race

The small-block V-8 launched a motorsports dynasty

29.11.2011

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WARREN, Mich. – A chronicle of the small-block V-8’s success in motorsports could fill several books. Since its introduction in 1955, the small block has helped Chevrolet and other GM brands win in virtually every form of racing, making it one of the most successful engines in all of motorsports.

“The small-block changed everything, including production cars, the aftermarket, and motorsports,” said Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “The power, durability and efficiency of the small block helped powered Chevrolet wins from the dirt track to the road course to the superspeedway – and helped make the brand one of the winningest names in motorsports.”

Competition has been a part of Chevrolet’s heritage ever since race car driver Louis Chevrolet collaborated with financier William Durant to found the fledgling car company in 1911. The debut of the small block, however, heralded the dawn of the Chevrolet Era in auto racing, which has included:

• 687 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins by Chevrolet, the most by any nameplate, with the vast majority driven to victory with a small-block V-8. Since 1980 alone, the Chevrolet small-block has won 45 percent of all NASCAR Sprint Cup races.
• 361 NASCAR Nationwide Series wins by Chevrolet, the most by any nameplate, with almost all with a small-block V-8. Since 1989, the small-block V-8 has won 45 percent of the races.
• 177 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series wins by Chevrolet, or 42 percent of all races, for the most wins by any nameplate. All were with a small-block V-8.
• 73 American Le Mans Series wins by Corvette Racing, the most by any team. All the wins were with a small-bock V-8.

The Chevrolet small block has evolved over the years but still uses the same basic architecture that has consistently made it the engine of choice for performance enthusiasts, according to Jim Covey, manager GM Racing Powertrains.

“The small-block V-8 is a brilliant design that provides lots of power in a compact package,” Covey said. “It’s built a following unlike any other engine. Enthusiasts have gravitated to it because of its performance. Aftermarket parts makers also have gravitated to the small block with their add-on products because the base engine is so flexible.

“We can track the NASCAR wins, but the true testament to the engine is at the local tracks,” Covey said. “The Chevy small-block has become the engine of choice at local short tracks and drag strips across the United States. It would be impossible to count all the wins for the engine.”

A game changer

The small-block V-8 played a crucial role in recasting Chevrolet’s image from a producer of comparatively stodgy, conservative automobiles to a company that appealed to youthful, performance-minded customers. Ed Cole, Chevrolet’s visionary chief engineer, persuaded GM’s leadership that the terms “entry-level” and “high-performance” didn’t have to be mutually exclusive.

The press and public responded to Chevrolet’s new image. Writing in the January 1955 issue of Hot Rod, Technical Editor Racer Brown commented on the reasons behind Chevrolet’s transformation: “Perhaps the continued popularity of the Chevrolets lies in the fact that it is an ‘average’ car for an ‘average’ buyer,” he noted. “But the average American driver is becoming more performance minded. He expects things to happen when he punches the throttle.

“For the go-fast enthusiasts, there’s a ‘high-performance package’ that will be available through dealers,” Brown continued. “Cams, oversized pistons, exhaust headers and other goodies will be available very soon to complement the special factory kits for potentially the best Chevrolet engine yet. These items…should transform the formerly docile ‘Stovebolt’ into a real fire-breathing monster.”

Brown’s prediction proved accurate. The Chevrolet V-8 became the foundation of the speed and custom-equipment industry. Small blocks have been raced in everything from dune buggies and tractors to motorcycles and offshore power boats.

Taking the checkered flag

The small-block proved itself on the racing circuits in a variety of cars. Corvette drivers dominated the Sports Car Club of America Showroom Stock series, winning every race from 1985 through 1987. After witnessing this devastating display, SCCA officials concluded that the only competition for the Corvette was another Corvette. The Corvette Challenge was born in 1988 with 50 identical L98-engine Corvettes racing for a $1 million purse.

Other Chevrolet marques also added luster to the small-block’s reputation in racing. The first-generation Camaro became a Trans-Am champion with the addition of the 302-cubic-inch V-8. Third- and fourth-generation Camaros continued the winning tradition in the Trans-Am series.

The “small block era” in NASCAR stock racing has been dominated by Chevrolet. The Bowtie has won 35 manufacturer’s championships in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series. Chevrolet’s winning tradition in racing continues today with Tony Stewart’s recent 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship.

Some highlights of the cars and people that established the Chevrolet small-block’s dynasty in auto racing include:

• Roger Penske and Mark Donohue took the SCCA Trans-Am series by storm in the 1960s with their trendsetting Camaro Z28s. The combination of Penske’s car preparation skills and Donohue’s driving talents proved virtually unbeatable. The pair won 10 of 13 races in 1968 and swept the drivers’ and manufacturers’ championships.
• Jim Hall was a maverick – and not just because he made it big in Texas oil. Trained at the California Institute of Technology, Hall created some of the most original and innovative machines to ever turn a tire on a race track. Hall’s Chaparral sports racers won 16 events in 1965. In 1966, a Chaparral powered by an aluminum small-block Chevy won the Nürburgring 1,000-kilometer race.
• Bill Jenkins earned his “Grumpy” nickname with his brusque trackside demeanor, but he also won the admiration of the Chevrolet faithful with his mastery of drag racing. Jenkins notched the first major drag racing victory for the Camaro at the 1967 U.S. Nationals. In 1972, he won the Pro Stock class in six out of eight National Hot Rod Association national events with an innovative, small-block-powered race car.
• Dale Earnhardt, arguably the best stock car racer of all time, won seven championships in NASCAR’s top series. He is the only driver in NASCAR's history to win the Rookie of the Year award and the series championship in back-to-back seasons in 1979 and 1980. Most of his wins were with small-block-powered race cars.

About General Motors

General Motors (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM), one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets.  GM’s brands include Chevrolet and Cadillac, as well as Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.

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