Drag Racing HISTORY: The Legacy of Mr. Plymouth

Robert Nance is a Southern Gentleman who was a Ringgold, Georgia dairy farmer who went drag racing and WON! He started racing in the 1950's and made a name for himself locally, which led to a factory-backed arrangement with Plymouth, starting in 1962. He raced Max Wedge cars in 1962 and 1963, moving into a Hemi-powered Plymouth in 1964 and beyond. By 1965, Robert Nance and hired driver James Lake campaigned two cars, a Super Stocker and an A/FX car. This led to two funny cars in 1966 and 1967, and Robert eventually landed another factory race car, a 1968 BO29 Hemi Barracuda. He went on to build a Plymouth Duster Pro Stocker and a Plymouth Duster Super Stocker, which still lives on to this day and proudly wears the Mr. Plymouth name on the door!
Follow along as we document Robert Nance's racing career, from his earliest days running on the Daytona measured mile beach course to his final days of bracket racing in the 1980's. Through this history lesson, you'll see lots of great photos and video clips from back in the day, as well as an up-close look at the surviving Plymouth Duster Super Stocker, which still lives in North Georgia and races at nostalgia drag racing events in the Southeast. A Hemi legend, Robert Nance's legacy lives on!
#dragracing #mopar #history

[@HotRodHoarder]

I just got a piece of information that explains the RED version of the Mr Plymouth car. Robert got the news that Richard Petty switched to Ford for the 1969 NASCAR season. He was so upset with the news that he switched from his normal blue to red. In 1970, Petty went back with Plymouth and ran the famous Super Bird, and Robert went back to blue shortly after. Just thought I'd make a note here.

[@williamhutchinson4730]

Pp⁰

[@Savannahnance621]

Thank you so much for this tribute to my grandfather, Mr. Plymouth! You did such an amazing job, and this video has been passed through the family this past week and my dad, Robert Nance Jr, cried tears of nostalgia and happiness watching this. ❤

[@jamesd4846]

Local Ringgold boy here. Robert Nance was a legend in every sense of the word. I knew most of his family, graduated from high school with one of his daughters and spent some wonderful times at his house. When I was around ten years old (circa 1964..) one of my brothers came home from school telling me about this girl in his class named Susan Nance. Apparently, Robert let her drive the '32 Ford to school one day and it made a lasting impression on my brother. We were avid supporters of Nance's Dairy, being from a family with eight children. That was back in the day when the milkman would actually make a stop at your house. Their milk was also sold in all of the local grocery stores and used exclusively by the school system. No one had ever heard of Mayfield's milk back then, which is now the predominant local brand. The Nance name is a well-respected family name in Catoosa County and Robert Nance was a significant part of that legacy.

[@HotRodHoarder]

Oh man that is so awesome! Thank you for sharing!

[@Savannahnance621]

This means so much to our family. Thank you!

[@kodiak2005]

You do such a great job, keeping drag racing history alive. Just watched it, forthe second time... Thanks for caring.

[@kurtludwig6962]

Mopar cars have a big dedicated followers. With the first Hemi’s they’ve always been winners at the track. Thanks for highlighting them on your channel

[@HotRodHoarder]

I haven't had a tremendous amount of Mopar content on my channel, and it suddenly hit me that a piece on Robert Nance's career would be a great story and fill in some of the Mopar gaps in my content.

[@larryeddings3185]

I remember watching Robert Nance drag race when I was a kid. He was the man!

[@HotRodHoarder]

Wish I could've been around to watch him race...what a legend!

[@Shady-Banks]

That was a well put together video. I remember an article in Hot Rod Mag about Mr. Plymouth, Robert Nance years ago. Late 60’s early 70’s.

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching! I love digging up the history on these cars and racers.

[@joshuagibson2520]

Hell yeaaaaah! I have been waiting on a Robert Nance video. He would run close to me at Harriman Tn when it was still a functioning track.

[@Mike-Olds-1]

Thanks for another awesome video. I really enjoyed this one. You did a fantastic job putting it together. Made me really want to wake up my hibernating 67 Belvedere. I know Oldsmobile and Plymouth ? Love them both and have one of each both from 1967. 👍🇺🇸

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thanks for watching!

[@tomstrum6259]

Wow !! .....Body in White & Dipper doors,....Mr.Plymouth was really Deep into the Mopar SS with these serious built cars....The '65 & '68 SS hemi package cars always my Fave past 50+ yrs....Well done video !!

[@richardray9267]

I don't know how you find this content but please keep doing them but it is great keep them coming please

[@HotRodHoarder]

It requires a lot of digging, but I love doing it! Thanks for watching!

[@richardray9267]

@@HotRodHoarder never miss a video I always know it will be great

[@justralphajerseyguystuckin3671]

Oh man, this is a really great History video, thanks for making it and sharing it with us all. I never knew Mr. Nance- but that was the era I loved the most from his start to his retirement and attended many races in the northeast during that era- first as a spectator and then from the mid to late 70's as a Racer.

[@davevanwhalen2693]

Thank you for doing this my dad had a 64 Plymouth 6 cylinder.

[@davida.p.9911]

When the front ends were low, and the rears were high. (Except if you had a gasser, of course) I love those wide back tires and the stance they had. I'm glad to see enthusiasts keeping those old races and old cars alive. 🏁🏁🏁🏁 🛞💨 Thanks for sharing!!

[@HotRodHoarder]

Oh yes, I love a good '70s drag car, especially the old Pro Stock cars...they had the stance figured out!

[@frankjones4094]

Another excellent travel log of Drag Racing history. Thank you.

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching!

[@reckemroysrc3764]

Awesome story and Plymouth is my car of choice 😀

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching!

[@JA-sm9zf]

Great job with this video! Thanks for sharing all this history with us.

[@BengSilver]

Thank you for your awesome videos 👍

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching!

[@stevegibbs9695]

Thank you, for the Good job you do on your videos!!!! Its nice to find someone who wants to remember the past not try to erase it. And you put alot of hard work in your craft and Thank you for sharing it with us !!!! Keep up the Good work!!! I'll be looking for the next one...

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you sir! It's a passion of mine that I probably spend way too much time on, but I love digging into the details on these old cars and drivers.

[@northdogueman]

in the group photo with the two cars behind them the little smiley guy in sunglasses in front row is mr, Mopar Herb McCandless! can't miss that smile! i remember going into his Direct Connection for some parts and that ear to ear smile greet you, he was a one on one guy would listen to you and knew just what you wanted.

[@davidwood1923]

Great Video!... Thanks for Sharing. Keep Up the Great Work.

[@charliechristie2949]

Hey guys, at 5:40 of the video in a photo of the Team Plymouth, there is a future super star in the lower row of the photo, second from our right. Mr. Four Speed himself, Herb Mc Candless !!!.......Great video, thank you !

[@mick_1949]

Great history champion. Love it. 👍🇦🇺

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching!

[@skin2117]

Keep up the good work. Really injoy your videos

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for the support!

[@slowstang88]

That name echoes in the hills and hollers here. I'm a Ringgold

[@anthonysmohawkspeedshop324]

I so much appreciate your videos of drag racing history. Everything about the 50’s into the early 80’s was cool. Thank you again!

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching!

[@tonybuck5252]

Hey man great story. U never disappoint. Keep it coming

[@michaelmarks5012]

What a great story! Thank you so much!

[@roberthill2219]

Awesome!!! Another great episode! MOPAR OR NO CAR!

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching, glad you liked it!

[@roberthill2219]

@@HotRodHoarder a tip... there is a guy working the front gate at Music City/Union Hill who has been working and racing there since opening day in 1959 and has a massive collection of pictures and clippings...

[@HotRodHoarder]

Wow, I need to check into that! Thanks for letting me know!

[@roberthill2219]

@@HotRodHoarder I think his name is Thunder...

[@richardsmith-qy6vl]

Another great video

[@user-KrackerJack]

Great video Thanks for all the work you put in to produce a video like this 👍

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching, glad you liked it!

[@jeffchecchio5026]

Another great video!!! Absolutely enjoy seeing your stuff.

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching, glad you liked it!

[@skipsdarkhollowgarage8695]

Very cool, Thanks for sharing the story!!

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thanks for watching!

[@brianz426]

Super cool. Thanks for sharing this great history.

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thanks for watching!

[@michaeljones7085]

Great video, I saw Charlie Lee jr. In his 66 Chevy 2 in one of the photos

[@HotRodHoarder]

Yes sir, a heavy hitter at Brainerd Optimist Drag Strip.

[@jimjacobson8758]

Great video!. I had a 71 dodge demon 340 that I didn’t race but had a lot of fun driving!!!

[@brucethompson1879]

You’re amazing at telling a story!

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for the kind words, I love what I do!

[@jsilverssilvers9107]

Got to know Robert at southeastern dragway in Dallas GA was a very nice guy took time to talk to me and my friend,think he was driving the altered wheel base 64 or 65 at that time

[@d.w.5551]

The picture with the two cars front to back and the group of drivers, the guy crouched down is Mr 4Speed, Herb McCandless. Some of the pics show the car at US60, Hardinsburg Ky. I was there that summer alot. Just 13 yrs old but a Big fan. Saw Mr Plymouth regularly., strong car.

[@HotRodHoarder]

Correct! Mr 4 Speed was a regular at Union Hill, and that lineup was pretty awesome. US60 is always recognizable in old pictures...love the overhead signage.

[@anthonysmohawkspeedshop324]

I haven’t got to go, but Hardinburg has nostalgia races twice a year. It’s a good day of cool old cars and a lot of nice people.

[@MichaelKorsaknov-eh8gd]

Awesome job,love the channel.keep up the great work

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching, I'm glad you enjoy it!

[@georgepiskopos4200]

Outstanding as always …..Thank you!!

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching!

[@jimronayne1719]

Another great drag racing history lesson from Tommy Lee!

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching!

[@jw4620]

Very cool! Thanks!

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching!

[@richardmcfalls8393]

Outstanding video! Saw him race at Brainerd Optimist in Chattanooga circa 1970.

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thanks Richard, and thank you as always for sharing your photos with me. It really comes in handy for researching these old drag cars.

[@bobjeffers6983]

A man I worked for, for about 26 years used to race at Harriman back in the. '60's. I don't know for sure what classes, but he used to drive a '55 chevy named Looney Tunes. Later a '68 camaro called Hop-A-Long. They were pretty successful local racers. Right now he's 81 years old, still operates his business, and gets around good. You need to talk to him, a lot of stories about racers you know.

[@joshuagibson2520]

Can you tell us the last name of the gentleman? I live very close to Harriman and there are many familiar family names in Roane and Morgan counties. I'm sure I probably would recognize the name or know some of his kin.

[@bobjeffers6983]

He is actually from Scott county. He now lives in Campbell County. He is Tommy Thompson, owner of Tommy's Motorsports in Clinton and Crossville.

[@joshuagibson2520]

@@bobjeffers6983 That's awesome. Thank you for sharing. I'm an hour from Crossville, 40 min to Harriman, and about 20 minutes from the Scott county line that is just past Sunbright.

[@joshuagibson2520]

@@bobjeffers6983 Mr. Thompson is not far from Tommy Byrd. Would be awesome if he and Tommy could get together. Maybe he would have some old pictures, but the story telling alone would be worth it.

[@HotRodHoarder]

Yes that would be awesome! I haven't heard of the '55 Chevy or '68 Camaro, but I'd love to learn more. I'll have to look into it.

[@mikedaugharty5544]

awesome history and video there awesome job on researching that video

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

[@BustedNut-]

Awesome! Love those ol mopars, actually i love all American made muscle.👍

[@US-191]

Excellent! Well done!! Obviously a very talented, hard-driven man. They don't make 'em like that anymore. So where is the grandsons "Museum"? I would enjoy seeing these items.

[@justinsanders2705]

Man Tommy your channel never disappoints! Great stuff brother. 💪👍

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thanks Justin!

[@hannchris2762]

As always great video love all this historical stuff

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching!

[@billbranch1403]

Have to admit I’m haven a weird sorta day and noticed your video and it it pick me up a little bit. Love your channel and content so thank you Mr.Hoarder

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching, I'm glad it helped your day a little!

[@spryguy11]

Awesome job” thank u Sir,,

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching, glad you liked it!

[@jamoshotrod]

Looked like Mr. 4 speed down front of the pic with all those guys in it

[@HotRodHoarder]

Oh yeah, that '65 lineup at Union Hill was full of legends!

[@Merylstreep1949]

You know that car was fast because it had a big racing stripe down the center of it😂

[@HotRodHoarder]

Oh yeah, that's extra horsepower for sure.

[@Dan-gi7yz]

Thanks for Sharing the content )

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching!

[@frankparks4900]

Another one of your GREAT VIDEOS! I'll admit to my MOPAR bias! I didn't know Robert had such an extensive career or SO MANY Plymouths! Thanks for the education. And a BIG congrats. on your 100,000 subscribers!

[@Red-rl1xx]

Awesome cars and cool story!

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching!

[@deansutherland3570]

Awesome

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching!

[@danielhemple8649]

Nicely done thank you

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching!

[@paintslinger16]

Wow first time I heard Willys pronounced correctly

[@barrycuda3769]

You mean said like Willis ? I've recently been made aware that it's the proper way, which makes sense when you think about it ,but Iv'e always said it the other way, I don't think I can change now.

[@paintslinger16]

@@barrycuda3769 yes because it was a last name.

[@HotRodHoarder]

For many years I pronounced it Will-ees, but recently started getting my act together.

[@paintslinger16]

@@HotRodHoarder will-ees got accepted as drag racing slang decades ago even before my time and I am 60, but as a last name it was just another way of spelling of Willis.

[@maximuswedgie5149]

GREAT video!!!!

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching, glad you enjoyed it!

[@MODELMIND72]

Great video!

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching, glad you enjoyed it!

[@joshuaemery6246]

Cool history

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thanks for watching!

[@louislepage5111]

Very informative, thanks .😊

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching!

[@calvincandie5344]

I rode shotgun in a '62 savoy with a 426 max wedge and a bench seat when i was 8yrs old and i was mopar crazy since

[@HotRodHoarder]

Oh wow! That'll do it!

[@1hasbeen531]

Awesome story!

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching!

[@dannybenfield1164]

Cool old Mopar I wish Bristol still had the Mopar show at the drag racing

[@HotRodHoarder]

I've been going to the Moparty in Bowling Green the last couple of years...it's pretty awesome! Lots of great cars and Mopar legends on hand.

[@dannybenfield1164]

I may go one of these days check it out do they have some car and truck parts

[@alexkay1874]

Good story . Congratulations on 100 k

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you! It's been a long road, but I love doing this stuff. Thanks for your support!

[@barryrussell4106]

Awsome

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching!

[@scottwhitmer2034]

Once again, Well done T Byrd!

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thanks Scott!

[@richardturk7162]

In 74 my 71 340 Dodge Demon ran SS/IA.

[@ralphgillikin3987]

Love this video drag race myself for many years back in the day. I work with my drag race with Dick Henry it ran mighty mouse, were in Beaufort in Morehead city. Somebody needs to do an article about Dick, Henry, and if you want to get out with me, I can tell you all about it he was a superstock racer. If he wants to send an article down with him and it needs to be out there.😊

[@HotRodHoarder]

Sounds like some cool history there!

[@johnshackelford6965]

Traded for green aches car.😊

[@johndehaven8694]

I really like your videos. If you haven't already I think you should do a piece on Ed Miller. He was super stock champion in 67 and was also a factor driver. He currently lives in Virginia

[@HotRodHoarder]

I'll have to look into that, thank you!

[@johndehaven8694]

@@HotRodHoarder You're welcome

[@johndehaven8694]

@@HotRodHoarder I forgot to mention that he has the pro stock dodge Dakota that Ronnie Sox drove. I believe it was the last thing he drove

[@Roosters_Restos]

As always we'll done❤

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching, glad you liked it!

[@BB-rn6so]

Joey Crawford???? I haven't seen him in over 30 years.....We used to call him, Crazy Crawford

[@jameshoney712]

Almost looks like bill "grumpy" Jenkins in the picture, first on left kneeling down.

[@scooterdoughmas3012]

whoa great id love the ol scool drags😁🤩ps who doesn't 😎cooter out😅

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching!

[@charleswaynewright2042]

If this is the same blue Plymouth with Mr Plymouth on the door I remember a big hi purse race around 65 6 or 7 at my local drag strip in NC near the SC border this car the tide water dodge there was a ford falcon with a 426 hemi in it my first drag race I remember another older dodge same color blue named super chicken

[@holoholohaolenokaoi2299]

@7:24 bck when the starting guy's were entertaining.

[@MrT5mustang]

I so want to restore an old pro stock car!

[@HotRodHoarder]

YES. Same here...'70s Pro Stock was awesome.

[@MrT5mustang]

@@HotRodHoarder I did a 94 pre production scca mustang and have a mid 2000 wood brothers cup car I am now working on …. But would love a pro stock

[@trainnerd3029]

Channels like this are the reason KZbin was invented…

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@MrPappysCobra]

Neat video Tommy! I was lucky to meet Robert's daughter when I built the Ringgold Middle school in the 90's. She was a teacher and coach then at the school.

[@HotRodHoarder]

That's awesome! It seems everyone in and around Ringgold are familiar with the Nance family. A great example of a wholesome Southern family.

[@matrox]

Car at 17:30 is a totally different duster than the the one at 18:30. 18:30 is around a 70 or 71 Duster. The one at 17:30 is 73' or later. 19:20 car is different car from 19:34 car.

[@HotRodHoarder]

It is the same car. I explained in the video that he wrecked the car recently and changed the front end to the earlier style. The 17:30 video was taken at Brainerd Motorsports Park in 2022, and the 18:30 video was taken at the Chattanooga World of Wheels in January 2024 with the new paint job and bodywork. To add a little more confusion, I believe the car ACTUALLY started as a '71, but was "re-bodied" as a '73/74 to stay current in Super Stock at the time.

[@MountainMopars]

Wonder if Robert had anything to do with the red and white 71 Mr plymouth duster? My dad owned it from 1985-1987.

[@sbckev4172]

This guy was serious about drag racing, just going by the look on his face @13:55

[@HotRodHoarder]

Ahh yes, the good ol' days of dry hops. I think I made a face like that when Johnny Labbous dry-hopped his famous "Loose Caboose" Road Runner with me in the passenger floor board.

[@sbckev4172]

@@HotRodHoarder Couldn't help to feel sad when he decided to sell all his tools and car, I get life happens though. In those days these guys were both driver and builder. I remember seeing a guy cut up 2 aluminum high rise intakes and braze them together to make a tunnel ram, that was before they were produced by big companies. (which I'm almost certain you covered that one on a similar story.) Acid dipped doors, fenders, they literally ate breath sleep drag racing. All the respect goes to them guys.

[@dougsspeedshop6187]

Mr 4-speed herb McCandless also was in that photo

[@HotRodHoarder]

Yes, that '65 photo was full of heavy hitters. What a time to be alive!

[@barrycuda3769]

Very interesting, and great photos, I love that era of Belvedere/Savoy 2 door sedans, especially the '65. By the way ,does anyone know of a 1967 Dodge Dart drag car in those days ,known as the " Bee Leaver" , Iv'e got a 1967 " Popular Hot Rodding " magazine Engine Annual that shows a small photo of it .

[@HotRodHoarder]

I haven't heard of the Bee Leaver, but I'm gonna need to go research that. I always love a good research project.

[@barrycuda3769]

@@HotRodHoarder Actually, in the interim, I googled it ,I haven't read all about it yet ,but it seems it was a drag car of Mancini racing .I didn't expect to find anything, but there is quite a bit of information on it.

[@barrycuda3769]

It must have been in my 1968 Engine Annual, the Bee Leaver is a '68 Dart.

[@barrycuda3769]

@@HotRodHoarder Another drag car that I'd be interested in is the 1965 Plymouth Belvedere of Fenner Tubbs of Texas ,I think they ran an altered wheelbase '65 Belvedere as well ,and probably other year Plymouths? .I believe Fenner Tubbs owned a Plymouth dealership.

[@chrislovett9711]

100k subscribers!!!!!!!

[@HotRodHoarder]

Yes! Thank you for your support!

[@user-ro5yd4zc7c]

Tell me about the DODGE which Ronnie Sox raced i 1962 against this 413!

[@HotRodHoarder]

I'd say he was driving a Ramcharger 413...the Dodge equivalent to Robert Nance's Plymouth.

[@mikeymopar1171]

Did you know who else was in that photograph? You were talking about look like Herb mccanless mr 4speed And it looked like mr norm On the bottom right

[@HotRodHoarder]

Oh yes, that was an epic lineup of drag racing royalty in that photo!!!

[@New_Jax_City]

Would you be interested in a story of a local pulling truck that was big deal in my small town and actually ended up on espn pulling the sled i have the video link. I would love to see a story on it.

[@HotRodHoarder]

I like old truck and tractor pulling stuff. Send me an email at [e-mail].

[@jonathangehman4005]

Is the red and gold "Honkin' Hemi" in the far lane at 14:42 Roy Clark? I seem to remember he had a car named something like that before the "HEE HAW HEMI"

[@HotRodHoarder]

Roy Clark had multiple Mopar Super Stockers, the Hee Haw Hemi and Super Picker. The car at 14:42 was Billy Orr and the photo was taken at Sand Mountain Dragway in Section, Alabama.

[@jonathangehman4005]

@HotRodHoarder Thanks for the info, I remember the Super Picker now. I saw him run The Hee Haw Hemi a couple times, at least on those days, he was treeing everybody like a pro

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

👍 🏁🏁 👍

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thanks man!

[@Nichole-440HP]

Mopar or no car baby ❤

[@HotRodHoarder]

Hoping to do more Mopar content soon...thank you for watching!

[@KellIChlanda-vk3iw]

HEMI POWERED EVERYTHING...FORD GM EVERYTHING

[@Sleeperdude]

Race car

[@HotRodHoarder]

Yes, as usual.

[@vernonslone8627]

Wonder where the 32 Ford is today ?????

[@zxtenn]

6.7 in the 1/8 or 1/4???

[@HotRodHoarder]

1/8 mile

[@glengabruch4664]

Please check out my 1968 Barracuda fastback powered by a rowdy 512 stroker backed by an A833 4 speed manual. I think you'll approve. 👌

[@HotRodHoarder]

Nice!!! I'd say a 512 and a 4 speed rips pretty good!

[@glengabruch4664]

@@HotRodHoarder Especially in a light A body! 👌