Drag-and-Drive Veteran Mike Chenoweth in the Process of Building a Wicked Superbird
Combine three friends that have a knack for drag-and-drives, fun times and doing things themselves, and you have 309 Street Cars. “It was started from 3 longtime friends who build and race their cars together,” said Jay Freidrich. “Everything is done in house, from chassis builds to engines and wiring. Mostly because we are poor,” he laughed.
Joining Jay in the efforts is Mike Chenoweth and Duane Ruhl, and although each member has a proven drag-and-drive ride, Jay and Mike are in the process of building new rides for future drag-and-drive efforts, including Mike’s Superbird clone you see here.
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Known for a beautiful Limelight Green 1970 Plymouth Road Runner that has competed on a number of drag-and-drives, including the inaugural Sick Summer Presented by TBM Brakes, Mike has eyes on quicker times in the future.
Not to worry; the Road Runner will stay in the stable as an 8.50 street car, as Mike has owned it since 1983, as well as learning to drive in it.
The Superbird clone started life as a 1970 Road Runner with an aftermarket Superbird nose, but an original wing. Mike completed the 25.3-spec chassis, and the car is being built to not only compete in the drag-and-drive events, mostly Super Street classes, but additional racing and some standing mile events as well. It will be finished in Petty Blue.
Powering the car will be the 540 cubic inch all-aluminum Hemi from Mike’s green Road Runner, but the turbochargers will get a boost to an 88-millimeter size. Goals are for 7-second passes on the drag strip, and well over 200 mph laps in standing mile events.
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Motion Raceworks and 309 Street Cars.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com