Wed, 29 Jun 2011, 10:32 PM Already Big Time

By Kelly Wade Photo copyright 2011 Auto Imagery, Inc.

John McLeod Photo by Kelly Wade

Boyne City, Michigan's John McLeod has lived a diverse life, but there has always been one recurring theme capturing his interest: hot rods. Nowadays, the police officer-turned-owner of one of the leading instrument manufacturers in the country is experiencing the life of a hot-rodder first hand as he wheels his uber-sleek Stock Eliminator '09 Dodge Challenger Drag Pak at NHRA Division 3 races and select national events.

Second-generation racer McLeod joined the Full Throttle Series tour for the first time at the recent Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk and rather remarkably emerged from qualifying in his A/SA Challenger as the No. 6 seed on the basis of a 10.11. For his troubles, he drew one of the toughest sportsman racers in the history of the class for first round: multi-time world champion and owner of a plentiful assortment of trophies, Edmond Richardson.

"It was Edmond Richardson; I had to go for it," said McLeod with a grin as he pointed to the -.003 at the top of his timeslip, noting his just-barely foul start. Richardson was .069 at the tree and clocked a 10.71 on his 10.77 dial to McLeod's 10.15 on a 10.11 target.

McLeod at the Indy divisional.

The early exit was anything but a disappointment for McLeod, who said he couldn't have been more pleased to have qualified so well and admitted to being just a little bit in awe over appearing in his first national event, racing on the same track as the pros, and seeing NHRA starter Rick Stewart waiting between the lanes as he pulled out of the waterbox for his first go at the track. This was big time.

To most folks outside of humble Johnny McLeod's head, he was already big time, though. The owner of Classic Instruments, McLeod took over the reins nearly a decade ago and zeroed in on providing excellent customer service - an admirable and rare focus. He and his well-chosen staff and supporters grew the business to be a leader in the hot rod and muscle car industry, manufacturing custom and standard gauges in the United States.

It was a long and interesting road to here, however; McLeod's first career was as a police officer in Boyne City, and while still working on the force he received an opportunity to work with Mike Stowe of Great Lakes Motor Works restoring collectible automobiles.

At the Division 3 race in Indianapolis where the '09 Challenger won Best Appearing.

"One thing led to another, and I started running that company, and the small company grew to have quite a few employees doing about 15 full restorations a year," recalled McLeod. "Mike and I sat down one day and he said he thought I was ready to have my own business. I had a full time job and a family with two kids, and so I said I didn't know about that. But he told me, 'No, I think you're ready.' "

McLeod carefully made the decision to take a risk, and the two came across the perfect fit for McLeod: Classic Instruments. Stowe was initially involved in the purchase of the company and making sure his friend was on his feet as they moved the operation from Portland, Ore., to Boyne City, and within a year it was all McLeod. Today the company that began with a single employee has grown to have a staff of 25.

The encouragement of those folks and others who hold McLeod in regard played a part in his decision to bring his Drag Pak Challenger out for air.

"I try to surround myself with people smarter than I am, and sometimes it's easy," laughed McLeod. "I was informed by those people that I was working too much, and that I needed a break from the 80-90 hours a week I was putting in. So this is my time off, but with technology and computers, I can still do everything I need to. I'm always accessible, but I have a good staff."

Racing at the 2011 Summit Racing Equipment Nationals in Norwalk.

While his crew holds down the fort in Northern Michigan, McLeod plans to work from the road and race the Division 3 schedule this season and perhaps one more national event: the prestigious Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. He already has experience on the historic track; McLeod raced their divisional event earlier this year - it was his first race in the Challenger, and the bad machine earned the Best Appearing Car award.

The honor was exceptionally rewarding considering all of the time and effort invested in the car. McLeod waited nearly a year between finding out he was chosen to receive one of the coveted Drag Paks, paying for it, and finally receiving delivery, but it was well worth the wait. Once received, McLeod had the all-white body painted and put a cage in it, and pulled the engine out to have Gary Stanton of Stanton Racing rebuild it for competition. Everything was touched, from transmission to interior to wiring, and eventually, the car was ready to race.

"We wanted to do it a little differently," said McLeod. "We tried to do it like a show car and really make it as nice as possible, but we knew we were going to race it, too. I feel very comfortable with the car, and any mistakes that have happened have been me learning how to do this, but the car has been pretty simple to drive."

The A/SA Challenger Drag Pak in Norwalk.

The finished product is quick and eye-catching, and McLeod will be surely be turning heads as he flies down the quarter-mile this year and hopefully for many more.

McLeod thanked his wife, Josette, and said that "without her, none of this would be possible." He also thanked all of the employees at Classic Instruments for pushing him out the door to go and race; Jim Lewis, Bob Lewis, and the employees of Lewis Brothers Custom in Houghton Lake; Tom Gale; Gary Stanton of Stanton Racing; and the guys at FAST and TCI who stepped up to help with electronics and the transmission.

"I have been so impressed by all of the people out here," said McLeod. "The racers at the events, anything you need, anywhere you need it, there is somebody who will just jump right in and help.

"I'd love to win, to be able to get to that level and do it, but just the thrill of driving is very exciting. Racing in Stock, you really become part of the process. You're working on the car, you're driving the car, you're making the decisions, and it's a challenge that I really enjoy."