Ryan Toon

Ryan Toon Future Builder & Racer, learning the ropes on some Fast Cars, Late Nights, and Poor Financial Choices. Learning to build ‘em Living to race ‘em 🤙🇨🇦🏁

Things I learned the hard way when buying a Engine for a build Five real lessons from someone who started with zero conn...
08/15/2026

Things I learned the hard way when buying a Engine for a build

Five real lessons from someone who started with zero connections and zero experience.

Research the swap before you fall in love with a motor.

Ask the dumb questions in forums because nobody remembers your username anyway.

Budget for the parts around the engine not just the engine itself.

Watch three different tutorial videos on the same job so you see three different approaches.

And find one person ahead of you willing to answer a text.

That person changes everything!!!

08/12/2026

What purchase made your car build feel real for the first time?

08/10/2026

I don't know anything about building a car. But where going to do it anyway

I've loved old cars since before I could reach the pedals.

Something about the rumble. The smell of exhaust.

The way a machine shakes the ground beneath your feet.

That feeling grabbed me as a kid. And it never let go.

When I'm at the track, lined up, waiting for the light... I feel alive in a way nothing else gives me.

I feel like somebody.

Not because anyone's watching. Because I know exactly where I belong.

But here's the thing. I don't come from a racing family.

I didn't grow up with a shop full of tools and a dad handing me wrenches.

I didn't know how to build a car.

So I started watching. YouTube.

Facebook. Instagram.

Hours and hours of people doing the exact thing I wanted to do.

And something shifted.

I saw regular people, not millionaires, not factory teams, just guys in their garages working on there cars.

And they kept saying the same thing.

It's not that hard. You just have to work through it.

That hit different.

Because my whole life I thought drag racing was for people who already had it figured out. People who were born into it.

People with money and connections.

But these mentors I found online, they showed me the truth. You can learn anything if you're obsessed enough.

And I am obsessed.

This isn't a hobby for me. It's something deeper.

I want to build my car from the ground up.

Every bolt. Every weld.

Every late night figuring out what goes where.

So when it rolls to the starting line, I can point at it and say... I did that.

Every single piece.

That's what this is about. Making my mark.

Proving that you don't need permission to chase something that lives inside you.

That changed everything.

Because now it's not just a dream sitting in the back of my head. It's a plan.

I'm learning every day. Watching.

Studying. Getting my hands dirty.

And I'm building this thing one step at a time.

Not because it's easy. Because it's mine.

The rumble of that engine when it finally fires up... that's gonna be the sound of everything I've worked for.

And I'll feel it in my chest the same way I did when I was a kid.

Only this time, I built it.

Dino Don Nicholson Ford’s Funny Car Superstar When the Funny Car revolution took over drag racing in the 1960s and 70s, ...
08/06/2026

Dino Don Nicholson Ford’s Funny Car Superstar

When the Funny Car revolution took over drag racing in the 1960s and 70s, few names shined brighter than Dino Don Nicholson.

Known for his fearless driving, incredible reaction times, and iconic Ford-powered Funny Cars, Dino Don became one of the biggest stars in NHRA competition.

His colorful Mavericks, Mustangs, and Comets thrilled fans across North America and helped establish Ford as a dominant force in Funny Car racing.

Nicknamed “The East Coast’s King of Funny Cars,” Dino Don earned a reputation for consistency, professionalism, and an unmatched ability to perform under pressure.

Whether racing on the national circuit or in high-profile match races, he was always one of the drivers fans came to see.

Being one of Ford’s most successful Funny Car racers.

Multiple NHRA national event victories.

Campaigned legendary Ford Maverick, Mustang, and Comet Funny Cars.

A dominant force during the golden age of Funny Car racing.

Helped popularize Ford performance throughout the 1960s and 70s

Respected by competitors and loved by fans for his sportsmanship and dedication.

What made Dino Don special wasn’t just his success it was the way he represented the sport.

He combined professionalism with incredible driving talent, proving that hard work and determination could build a lasting legacy.

Today, Dino Don’s name remains one of the most respected in Funny Car history.

His Ford-powered machines continue to inspire racers and fans who remember the sights, sounds, and excitement of drag racing’s golden era.

Whether you were a Ford fan or simply loved Funny Cars, watching Dino Don launch down the quarter mile was something you’ll never forget.

What’s your favorite Dino Don race car the Maverick, the Mustang, or the Comet?

1963 Pontiac Catalina Super Duty “Swiss Cheese” The Lightweight Legend That Changed Drag RacingIn the early 1960s, Ponti...
07/22/2026

1963 Pontiac Catalina Super Duty “Swiss Cheese” The Lightweight Legend That Changed Drag Racing

In the early 1960s, Pontiac was one of the biggest names in American performance.

Under the leadership of visionary engineers like John DeLorean, the brand was determined to dominate NHRA drag racing.

The result was one of the most unique factory race cars ever produced the 1963 Pontiac Catalina Super Duty, better known as the “Swiss Cheese.”

The nickname came from Pontiac’s relentless pursuit of weight reduction.

Engineers literally drilled hundreds of holes throughout the car’s frame and chassis components, making them resemble Swiss cheese. Aluminum body panels, lightweight brackets, and other racing modifications further reduced weight, creating a full-size car that was far lighter than its competition.

Power came from Pontiac’s legendary 421 Super Duty V8, equipped with high-performance cylinder heads, forged internals, dual Carter four-barrel carburetors, and race-proven components.

Although officially rated at around 405 horsepower, the engine’s true output was significantly higher, making it one of the strongest factory race engines of its time.

The Super Duty Catalina was never intended to be an everyday family car.

It was built specifically to dominate NHRA Super Stock and other sanctioned drag racing events.

Its incredible combination of lightweight construction and massive torque allowed it to challenge and often beat the best factory offerings from Ford and Chrysler even Chevrolet.

Although General Motors officially withdrew from factory-backed racing in early 1963, many of these cars continued to compete successfully in the hands of private racers.

Their influence helped shape the future of factory performance and proved that intelligent engineering could be just as important as raw horsepower.

Today, the 1963 Pontiac Catalina Super Duty “Swiss Cheese” is considered one of the rarest and most significant factory drag cars ever built.

It remains a symbol of Pontiac’s engineering ingenuity and its relentless pursuit of victory during drag racing’s golden age.

If you had been standing at the starting line in 1963, would you have put your money on the lightweight “Swiss Cheese” Catalina or one of its Ford or Mopar rivals?




Paul Rossi The Mopar Super Stock Pioneer.When the conversation turns to legendary Mopar drag racers, Paul Rossi is a nam...
07/16/2026

Paul Rossi The Mopar Super Stock Pioneer.

When the conversation turns to legendary Mopar drag racers, Paul Rossi is a name that deserves to be remembered.

Making his mark during the golden era of Super Stock racing in the 1960s and 70s, Rossi became one of Chrysler’s most respected factory-backed racers.

His ability to tune, build, and drive some of the quickest Mopars in the country earned him a reputation as both a fierce competitor and an outstanding engineer.

Rossi first gained national attention behind the wheel of his HEMI-powered 1968 Plymouth Barracuda before becoming famous with his striking white-and-orange 1970 Dodge Challenger wearing the legendary Direct Connection colors.

He proved that the 440 Six Pack engine could be a serious force on the drag strip, helping change the way racers viewed Chrysler’s big-block performance.

He was a factory-backed Chrysler and Direct Connection racer.

He campaigned the legendary 1968 HEMI ’Cuda and 1970 Direct Connection Dodge Challenger.

He helped develop and promote Mopar performance parts

Won numerous NHRA Super Stock class events during the muscle car era

Shared his tuning knowledge through engine clinics and technical seminars for racers across the country

A respected ambassador for Mopar performance whose influence continues decades later.

What made Paul Rossi special wasn’t just the trophies it was his willingness to share what he learned.

Whether he was developing engines, helping fellow racers, or representing Chrysler on and off the track, Rossi helped build the foundation of Mopar drag racing that enthusiasts still celebrate today.

For generations of Mopar fans, the white-and-orange Direct Connection Challenger remains one of the most iconic Super Stock cars ever built.

What’s your favorite Paul Rossi race car the HEMI ’68 Barracuda or the legendary Direct Connection Challenger?





1968 Dodge Hemi Dart L023 A Factory-Built Drag Racing Legend.By 1968, the battle for drag strip supremacy was more inte...
07/08/2026

1968 Dodge Hemi Dart L023 A Factory-Built Drag Racing Legend.

By 1968, the battle for drag strip supremacy was more intense than ever.

Dodge had already proven the power of the legendary 426 Race Hemi, but the midsize Coronet was giving way to a smaller, lighter platform.

The answer was the compact Dodge Dart and with it came one of the most feared factory drag cars of all time the Hemi Dart L023.

The L023 package was never intended to be a comfortable street car.

It was engineered with one purpose in mind to dominate NHRA Super Stock racing.

To create the ultimate drag racer, Dodge shipped Dart GTS bodies to Hurst Performance, where they were transformed into lightweight competition machines.

Fibreglass hood and fenders, lightweight bumpers, thin side glass, an acid-dipped steel body, and a stripped-down interior all helped shave precious pounds.

At the heart of every L023 was Chrysler’s legendary 426 Race Hemi. Officially rated at 425 horsepower, the Race Hemi was known to produce well over 500 horsepower in race trim.

Power was sent through either a heavy-duty TorqueFlite automatic or a four-speed manual transmission, making these cars brutally quick off the starting line.

The Hemi Dart quickly became a dominant force in NHRA Super Stock competition.

With its incredible power-to-weight ratio and factory-engineered performance, it earned a reputation for running low 10-second quarter-mile times astonishing numbers for a production-based car in 1968.

Only about 80 Dodge Hemi Darts were produced, making them among the rarest and most desirable Mopars ever built.

Alongside their Plymouth Hemi Barracuda counterparts, these cars represented the peak of Chrysler’s factory drag racing efforts before corporate racing restrictions brought an end to the factory horsepower wars.

Today, the 1968 Dodge Hemi Dart L023 stands as one of the greatest factory drag cars ever created a purpose-built machine that blurred the line between a production car and a race car.

If you had the choice in 1968, would you have lined up in a Hemi Dart, a Ford Thunderbolt, or a COPO Camaro?






Dick Landy The Dodge Performance Legend When it comes to Mopar drag racing legends, few names carry as much weight as Di...
06/25/2026

Dick Landy The Dodge Performance Legend

When it comes to Mopar drag racing legends, few names carry as much weight as Dick Landy.

Known as “Dandy Dick Landy,” he became one of Dodge’s most successful factory-backed racers during the golden age of muscle cars.

Throughout the 1960s and 70s, Landy helped establish Chrysler’s reputation for performance, proving that Mopar horsepower could compete with and beat the best in the country.

From Max Wedge-powered Dodges to the legendary HEMI machines, Landy was always at the forefront of drag racing innovation.

His cars were known for their distinctive appearance, incredible performance, and meticulous preparation.

He was one of Dodge’s most successful factory-backed drag racers.

A pioneer of Chrysler’s Max Wedge and HEMI racing programs.

Multiple NHRA class victories and national records

Instrumental in developing high-performance Mopar parts.

Famous for his Dodge Coronets, Chargers, and Dart race cars.

Helped shape the future of Super Stock drag racing

Landy wasn’t just a driver he was a builder, tuner, and innovator.

His knowledge of Chrysler performance helped countless racers unlock more speed and consistency from their own Mopar machines.

Whether he was launching a Max Wedge Dodge off the starting line or tuning a race-winning HEMI, Dick Landy represented the very best of the muscle car era.

Today, his name remains synonymous with Mopar performance, and his influence can still be seen wherever Dodge enthusiasts gather to celebrate the glory days of drag racing.

Who remembers watching Dandy Dick Landy put Mopar power to work on the drag strip?





1965 Dodge Coronet A990 Chrysler’s Lightweight Drag Strip AssassinBy 1965, the horsepower wars between Chrysler, Ford, a...
06/24/2026

1965 Dodge Coronet A990 Chrysler’s Lightweight Drag Strip Assassin

By 1965, the horsepower wars between Chrysler, Ford, and Chevrolet were reaching a fever pitch.

To gain an edge in NHRA Super Stock competition, Dodge engineers developed one of the most radical factory race cars of the era the Coronet A990.

The A990 package wasn’t designed for comfort, luxury, or daily driving. It was built with one goal in mind winning drag races.

Starting with the mid-size Coronet, Dodge stripped away as much weight as possible.

Aluminum front-end components, lightweight interior pieces, thin glass, and other weight-saving measures helped transform the car into a serious contender at the drag strip.

Under the hood sat Chrysler’s legendary 426 Race Hemi, an engine specifically developed for competition. Factory rated at 425 horsepower, the Race Hemi produced much more in race trim and quickly became one of the most feared engines in motorsports.

The combination of lightweight construction and massive horsepower made the A990 Coronet a dominant force in NHRA Super Stock racing.

These cars regularly battled Ford Thunderbolts, Mercury Comets, and Chevrolet’s factory-backed racers during the golden age of drag racing.

The A990 program also helped pave the way for the Factory Experimental movement.

As racers pushed the limits of performance, many of these cars evolved into altered-wheelbase machines that would eventually give birth to the Funny Cars of the late 1960s.

Only a limited number of A990 Coronets were built, making them some of the rarest and most sought-after Mopars in existence today.

More than sixty years later, they remain symbols of an era when manufacturers built race cars first and worried about practicality later.

The Dodge Coronet A990 wasn’t just a muscle car it was a factory-built drag racer with a license plate.

Who would have put their money on a Hemi-powered A990 against the competition in 1965?






Jungle Jim Liberman The Ultimate Showman of Drag Racing Long before social media and television turned racers into celeb...
06/19/2026

Jungle Jim Liberman The Ultimate Showman of Drag Racing

Long before social media and television turned racers into celebrities, there was Jungle Jim.

Known for his wild personality, fearless driving style, and unforgettable entrances, Jungle Jim Liberman became one of the biggest fan favorites in drag racing history.

During the 1970s, he transformed Funny Car racing into a spectacle that fans couldn’t wait to see.

Driving his famous wheelstanding Chevrolet Vega Funny Cars, Jungle Jim wasn’t just racing his opponents he was entertaining the crowd every second he was at the track.

Whether he was performing smoky burnouts, driving the wrong way down the return road, or joking with fans, he knew how to put on a show.

With one of the most popular Funny Car drivers of all time

Famous for his Chevrolet Vega Funny Cars

Known for spectacular burnouts and wheelstands

Helped bring thousands of new fans to drag racing

A major star during the golden age of Funny Cars

Remembered as one of the sport’s greatest entertainers

What made Jungle Jim special was his connection with the fans.

He signed autographs, talked to spectators, and treated every race weekend like a celebration.

While many racers focused only on winning, Jungle Jim understood that the fans were what made the sport great.

Sadly, his life was cut short in 1977, but his legacy lives on.

Even today, decades later, drag racing fans still remember the excitement, energy, and personality that made Jungle Jim a legend.

Some racers are remembered for championships.

Jungle Jim is remembered for making people fall in love with drag racing.

Who remembers watching Jungle Jim put on a show at the strip?





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