We recently brought you a story covering the Southeast Gassers Association (SEGA), and a big, fishbowl Barracuda that’s been burning up the strip at its events, but now we have a special treat for Chevy lovers, especially Tri-Five guys. Dig TJ York’s 1955 Bel Air two-door post, all muscled-up in vintage, gasser glory.

SEGA is the passion of one Mr. Quain Stott and he created the drag series based on a simple premise, recreating the good old days of drag racing. No electronics, ECMs, data loggers, or other modern-day complications. All cars must have a straight front axle, a four-speed transmission, and a specific weight-per-cubic-inch ratio to compete. Authentic, retro racing is the theme here with cool swag, rockin’ music, and groovy gassers.

Not only is York’s SEGA ’55 Chevy super bad, but the cherry-on-the-sundae is the fantastic Larry Watson-esque livery scheme. The car is as crazy cool as it is fast and we bring you the backstory on the build. Owner TJ York is a second-generation speed junkie with drag racing in his DNA. When he’s not tearing up the tarmac, he’s a dental technician building crowns and bridges and lives in Pataskala, Ohio with his wife, Kelli, and their sons, Tyler and Cody.

TJ loves old-school racing and his bloodline traces directly back to the golden days of the sport as well.

“My dad, Jack York, was a gasser racer back in the ’60s and partnered up in 1972 with Jack Slagle, creating the York and Slagle racing team that was active up to 2004. Both of these guys were father figures to me, my dad taught me mechanics and Jack taught me how to drive. I grew up at dragstrips and started racing when I was 17. ”

TJ connects the dots that led to building his ’55.

“I started bracket racing as a kid and put together my first Super Gas/Super Street car, a 1969 GTO, built with my dad in our two-car garage. Then I had a GT/FA Camaro built for me and then moved to a modified Super Stock S10 truck. My dad and Jack raced in Comp Eliminator and I crewed on their cars, as well. In 2008 or so, my son Tyler wanted to play sports, so I hung up my racing gear for a few years to be there for him. When my boys started to get a little older, the racing bug bit me again. I got wind of SEGA and I was intrigued and that’s what led to building the ’55. My dad had a 1956 Chevrolet B/Gasser dubbed the ‘Greenhorn Hillbilly’ so I built my Bel Air as a tribute to my father and the car.  The York and Slagle badge are a hat tip to dad and the old days, as well.”

TJ has owned the ’55 for about 10 years, as he tells us more about the car.

“The ’55 was from New Mexico, and had a bad case of “sunburn.” Years of UVA exposure had taken their toll, but the car was rust-free and solid. I think I’m the third owner. It came from the factory with a 265-inch V8 and three-on-the-tree, but had a 327 transplant at some point. In 2016, I began the journey that brought the car to its current state. I called Pat Kronenbitter of PK Race and Rod in Hebron, Ohio, and we strategized how I wanted to build the car.”

Here’s what they came up with. They retained the factory frame and they grafted a 2×3-inch Chromoly stub frame at the front. A roll cage and ladder bars were welded in while they were at it. From there, a Ron Pope straight axle replaced the stamped steel, independent factory suspension, and leaf springs and Santhuff shocks, and Wilwood brakes were added.

Bringing up the rear, a 9-inch Ford rearend was installed with ladder bars and 5-inch springs, and again, Wilwood was chosen to provide the stopping power. This tried-and-true chassis setup would provide the strength and reliability that TJ wanted to withstand the brutal use the car would regularly see. Rolling stock consists of 15×3 Fenton’s up front with Moroso tires, and 15×10 magnesium Torque-Thrusts in the rear wrapped in Mickey Thompson rubber.

The motor had to put out some serious stink. TJ walks us through all details that resulted in a power output north of 800 horsepower.

“We used a 377-inch Chevy built by Dave and Heath Watson at Watson Ruppel Performance, with 1Way Technologies 23-degree heads, by Jeff Jones and Chris Grace, Breadbox tunnel ram intake, and then topped off with two Steve Taylor 2×650 CFM carburetors. We wanted the best internal parts available so we used CP-Carrillo rods and pistons, and a billet crank from Watson Ruppel Performance. The custom headers/exhaust dumps were fabricated by Pat Kronenbitter and designed by Mark at Performance Welding out in California. To transfer the power to the rear wheels we went with a four-speed manual transmission from Robey at GForce South, and 6.20 gears.”

The body was the result of giving an artist free reign and getting out the way.

“I called Paul Vanderpool of Vanderpool Customs and told him what I was thinking,” TJ told us. “I loved Yoakem’s 1955 Chevy gasser “Bad Ju Ju” and I had PK Racing radius the rear wheel wells, but didn’t really have a paint scheme in mind. I told Paul to do his thing with only two caveats: skip the color pink and make sure there is room for Fujimo with the Roadrunner, like on my Dad’s car. ”

Larry Watson must be looking down from heaven grinning from ear-to-ear.

To tip the scales lighter, the front end and deck lid were fitted with fiberglass from ScottRods, and lightweight plexiglass side windows replaced the old panes. The windshield and back glass are factory original. The front bumper was sent to the scrap heap and the rear factory bumper was replaced with an aluminum unit. Inside, old-school Jim Schrader orange and white seat covers and White Safety Equipment racing harness to keep TJ safe and secure.

The build powered TJ all the way to the B/Gas world championship in 2020, and his quickest pass is 5.76 at 121 mph to the 1/8-mile. Needless to say, he’s loving every minute of it.

TJ elaborates, “I won five of nine races last year. We were fortunate enough to have a very consistent program.  Our family and friends were great support all year long.  It was also a very emotional year for the family as we lost JoAnn Slagle, Jack’s wife, at the end of the 2019 season and we lost my father-in-law, Jon Cribbs, before the last race of the 2020 season.

“They were two very important people in our lives. I truly believe that they rode alongside me all year. I could not be as successful of a driver without the support of my dad, my family, the CPPR crew, and Jim Shrader, and Susan Michaels. This season we were lucky enough to gain the now-retired 2020 A/Gas champion, Spinny Davis’ crew for our 2021 season. Danny and Sherrie Presson and Mike “Bully” Wiles have been a tremendous help to Kelli and me every race weekend.”

“I really enjoy the atmosphere at a SEGA event,” TJ continued. “It has a real nice family vibe to it and I like the way it’s structured, like the weight to cubic inch rules. It is a well-run event for not only drag racing fans but a great way to get out of the house and hang with some great people.”

When TJ’s not winning races, this second-generation enthusiast is nurturing the next wave of drag racers. TJ’s son, Tyler, is racing an old Grumpy Jenkins Chevelle, owned by Rick Varner, as a third-generation York drag racer in SEGA Super Stock, and by all accounts is learning the ropes.

TJ also wanted to give a big shout-out to all of his sponsors, including Jack Slagle, JEGS, ScottRods, 1Way Technologies, CP-Carrillo, and EXP Oil Treatment. He also told us, “I’d like to mention Elizabeth Phillips, as well, as she is a very important crew member on our team.”