The Plymouth Savoy is one of the cars that helped ignite the factory-built race car revolution. Jim Nichols’ 1964 Max Wedge Savoy is one slick NHRA Stocker. This A/SA class shark is a refined racing machine that Jim drives with pride.

Under the hood of the Savoy, you’ll find a Ray Barton Racing Engines-built 426 cubic-inch Max Wedge engine. PK Racecars did the chassis work for the Savoy and maximized it for NHRA Stock class racing. Under the Plymouth, there’s a set of Calvert Racing CalTracs and updated shocks.

Jim started going to the drag strip when he was 14 years old and fell in love with the sport. His father owned a Chrysler dealership, and the service manager owned a Max Wedge Savoy, so that’s what created the interest in this style of car. Growing up and seeing NHRA class racing is what really set the hook for Jim to want to race in Stock.

The Savoy has turned into one tough car with Jim behind the wheel. The A/SA class index is 11.30, and Jim’s car runs in the 10.25-10.30 range depending on the weather conditions. Jim has picked up a lot of round wins behind the wheel of his Savoy, and even won the 2015 Buckeye Stock/Super Stock Drag Racing Series title.

“I’ve always loved class racing with the NHRA. You have to be smart with what you build and how you race it. It’s a challenge that makes racing fun and lets so many different types of cars compete against each other. There’s nothing like taking one of these cars and figuring out how to optimize it to run as quick as possible for your index, while still making sure it is consistent in all kinds of conditions,” Jim says.

Cars like Jim Nichols’ Savoy are what make NHRA Stock class racing great. There’s plenty of history in these cars and the racers continue to add to it. Always take the time to walk around the sportsman pits at an NHRA event, chances are you’re going to see something cool like Jim’s Savoy.