Gallen’s “Poverty Stricken” NFC Takes On Monza Transformation

There’s no doubt that Funny Cars are cool in general, but when it comes to nostalgic floppers, Peter Gallen never disappoints. Last season his “Poverty Stricken” Vega was a definite crowd pleaser, thanks in due part to his IHRA Nitro Jam Nostalgia Funny Car Championship run and record-setting 5.55-second pass. Thankfully, Gallen, his team and Poverty Stricken are back for another season!

This year the nitro-burning rocket has been fitted with a newly-designed body carrying a paint scheme with a similar color palette to the former Vega. The classic vintage Vega body was shelved in favor of this new sleek Monza shell. This is a Bob Rosetty-crafted body that was designed by Steve Bell and is said to be one of the lightest nostalgia bodies created to date. Congratulations go out to all of those who had a hand in this; we can’t wait to see it in person and I’m sure the fans will agree.

Nostalgia funny cars, though, are more than just an artistic tribute to the past—especially Poverty Stricken. Poverty Stricken is a 3,000 horsepower nitromethane-burning ground pounder. The stretched Monza body, while featuring the lines only befitting of a true nostalgia flopper shell, has brought added function to go with form with a larger rear deck and spoiler to accommodate the kind of power being unleashed.

This should all add up to confirm that Gallen will once again be a championship threat in the Nitro Jam series. Gallen and the crew made the tire-burning debut of the new Monza body this weekend at the IHRA Nitro Jam in Tucson, Arizona, where the reigning champ fell in the second round of competition on Friday to James Day, 5.85 to 5.88. However, Gallen was able to turn things around on Saturday after a tough opening night to edge heavy-hitter Tim Boychuk before falling to Mike Savage in a great drag race, 5.82 to 5.89.