Nick Rinehart Takes Aim at 6-Second Time Slips with New Drag-and-Drive Build for Sick Week 2025
Although the drag-and-drive calendar can get a little thin on events at the end of the year, the popular Street-N-Yeet brings out a good contingent of competitors to enjoy a quartet of tracks between North and South Carolina every November.
At this year’s event, Nick Rinehart debuted a brand-new ride to the drag-and-drive world, a 1967 Chevrolet Nova, returning to racing after sixteen years away from the sport.
Christmas is done, and you probably didn’t get the Sickest stuff. CHANGE THAT - CLICK HERE to visit Sick the Magazine and check out all our great merch, Sick BBQ, subscribe to our print magazine, and more! PLUS, every dollar you spend gets you entered for a chance to win a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro convertible Indy Pace car!
For those that recognize Nick’s name, it’s because one of his past racing exploits involved the National Muscle Car Association (NMCA) with a 1972 Nova in the early 2000s. But before that, he got his start in the grass-roots level of bracket racing while still in high school.
“I started bracket racing in 1991 when I was seventeen at our local track Wisconsin International Raceway,” said Nick. “My uncle Gary Wiese was a bracket racer, and I always wanted to do the same. He owns a performance machine shop, so I started working there in high school, doing grunt work and learning more about engines. I raced for many years out at WIR and then started driving for a couple friends and did some quick 16 races.”
He got his start with a 1974 Chevrolet Nova in high school, but then moved to a ’72 Nova model after high school. That car would get his racing fix into quicker territory, especially when he made the jump to NMCA events.
“In 2002, I decided to try and compete at more of the national level, and fast street cars have always been my passion,” said Nick. He jumped into the NMCA’s 2003 season (when it was known as the PRO Edelbrock Series) at Bradenton Motorsports Park. “I entered the Xtreme Street class with my ‘72 Nova, not really sure if we had what it took or even could compete at this level,” Nick said. “But we ended up winning the championship in 2003, and finished fifth in 2004.”
Nick took a year off to build a new car, a 2004 Pontiac GTO, and debuted it in 2006. The next season, he made an appearance at three NMCA races, but decided to take a break. “I just really struggled with that car,” said Nick. “I sold it, and life took a different turn in 2007. I stepped away from racing for some time because I was just burnt out and needed a break. But racing was always in my blood, so it was just a matter of time before I returned.”
That return was fueled by finding the car he wanted in high school, but couldn’t find. “I’ve always wanted a ‘67 Nova,” Nick said. “I was talking to my brother one day back in 2012, and told him I’d build another car, but it had to be a 1967.”
Two days later, he discovered one with a $2500 price tag and made the decision. “I took one look at it and was like perfect,” said Nick. “I don’t feel guilty one bit cutting this car up, because it was pretty rough and should have been scrapped. The only thing that is original to the body is the roof skin, doors and dash.”
The car required a lot of sheetmetal work, plus some fresh paint, and Nick turned to high school friend Joel Johnson to handle the work. Being that the car would see racing action, he would need some help in that department as well. “I became really good friends with Jamie Stanton and Jake Holdredge from the NMCA days and we always kept in touch,” said Nick. Jake mentioned doing a chassis for the Chevy at his shop, Pentagon Race Fab, and Nick delivered it in 2015 to get things started. “I took the car out to Jake’s in 2015,” said Nick. “We got it on the jig, and we started laying tubing. We finished the main chassis at Pentagon Race Fab, and I brought it home and completed it at my shop.”
Nick worked on the car as time and funds permitted. To keep the costs down on running gear, Nick reused his Xtreme Street 525 cubic inch big block for the Nova’s engine bay. Making the switch from nitrous to turbochargers, Nick checked off a pair of 88-millimeter units for the power production.
The Nova got a dual fuel system, with a 20-gallon tank for pump swill for cruising, while a smaller tank holds the methanol for the quicker blasts. A M & M Transmission Turbo 400 and a PST carbon fiber driveshaft passes the power to a Tim McAmis 9-inch fabricated rear end. The 9-inch carries a center section, axles and brakes from Mark Williams, and connects to the frame rails with a Tim McAmis 4-link suspension.
Tim McAmis also supplied the carbon fiber tubs, transmission tunnel and rear wing, while dual Stroud air launcher parachutes help slow the ride. Weld Racing wheels were selected for the four corners, with the rears holding either a pair of 275 or 315-sized radials, depending on the class Nick plans to run.
Fellow drag-and-drive competitor Devin Vanderhoof from HCR Innovations got the task of wiring the Chevrolet, which he covered in a video below:
Finally twelve years after acquiring the Chevy Nova, it was ready for its debut this year. “We didn’t have endless time and money to throw at it all at once,” said Nick. “This has been a marathon project.”
Jumping into drag-and-drive was always the plan for Nick. “My goal from day one has always been to drag-and-drive this car, before it even had the popularity that it has today,” Nick said. “I did class racing, and wanted to have a new challenge, and I think I’m up for it.”
Debuting the car on Street-N-Yeet with Evan Uerkwitz riding shotgun, Nick laid down a trio of 4.6-second passes in the Unlimited class. But a troubled 8.31 lap on day two dropped his average to a 5.55, still good enough for the third spot in class. “All in all, it went really good,” said Nick. “For only having 24 passes on the car total, I'm pretty happy with the performance.”
Despite only one event on the new ride, Nick plans to step up for his next event, Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive. “I have a new bullet that I'm putting together, and should have it finished in hopefully 2-3 weeks.” That new combo should up the performance of the car, which Nick plans to put to use for 6-second passes.
“I built the car on the intention of running Ultimate Iron,” said Nick. “It could fit Unlimited also, but it’s heavier than I thought it was going to be in the end.” With the only non-metal body pieces being the hood and trunk lid, the Chevy Nova weighs in just a tad above 3500 pounds, leading Nick to consider the new Heavy Metal class as well.
You don’t get to this level without help, and Nick was quick to recognize the people that stepped up to get him here. “I’ve had great friends along the way helping out. Because of that help and dedication, the car has become a reality.”
He noted Todd Goodwin, Jake Holdredge, Jamie Stanton, Evan Uerkwitz, and Devin Vanderhoof among those to make this dream happen. “I don’t care what you’re doing in life; to be successful at anything you need to surround yourself with great people.”
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Nick Rinehart.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com