"You may not remember it, or maybe you never even knew it, but at one time, winning an American Hot Rod Association (AHRA) race and championship was just as important as winning the NHRA title. That's why Gary Cochran's start to the 1971 season was so spectacular, because he not only won two AHRA events, but he beat Don Garlits in his revolutionary new, rear-engine dragster along the way. At that time, Gary was driving the "Young American" Top Fuel entry, but he had already made a name for himself with his own, "Mr. C." dragster. One of the many stars who moved up to the fuel category from the old Top Gas class, Gary primarily raced on the west coast, and why not, a normal Saturday night at "The Beach" or one of the other legendary tracks out there, would bring in dozens of TF cars and pay prize money that sometimes went as high as $500. My, how times have changed. But one that has remained the same, the respect and admiration that drag racing fans had for a driver who ran with the best of them, and a guy who only had to go by the name of "Mr. C." - Bob Frey Car construction began at the SPE factory in the San Fernando Valley in September 1969 the week after the first "Mr.C" was destroyed in a highway accident on the way to Indy. The 185" car was completed the first week of December and fitted with a Tom Hanna body. Utilizing a 392 Chrysler for power, the "Mr. C" II began with a win the first time out at Irwindale, and continued with four successive Irwindale "King of the Hill" victories. Cochran went on to win his second OCIR "All-Pro" series title in 1970, and then defeated Don Garlits in the "AHRA-Grand American" season opener at Lions in January of 1971. Cochran also won the 2nd AHRA series "Grand American-Winternationals" in Phoenix, Arizona, in another car, the "Young American", owned by Carl Casper. After that win, he took the "Mr.C" II on a national tour, competing against the best cars in the country. Although not winning the AHRA world championship series that year, the car set many low ET's and top speeds, and taking many runner up finishes. Campaigning from California to Florida to the New England states and everything in between, the best E.T. and speed for "Mr.C" II was 6.38 at 234.00 MPH. The car was run through the 1972 season.