Who won the first NHRA Pro Stock championship in 1970?

Ronnie Sox won the first NHRA Pro Stock championship in 1970.

Pro Stock emerged as an NHRA professional class in 1970, evolving from production-based Super Stock racing. Its cars were recognizable factory-bodied machines, but they used highly modified naturally aspirated engines and competed under tightly controlled rules.

Sox captured the inaugural championship during the class’s first season. The early title also reflected the importance of Chrysler Hemi-powered cars, which won the first two NHRA Pro Stock championships. Mike Fons followed Sox as champion in 1971, and Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins won in 1972.

The answer is sometimes confused with Bob Glidden, Warren Johnson, or Bill Jenkins because each became strongly associated with Pro Stock success. Glidden ultimately became the class’s dominant championship figure, while Johnson and Jenkins also built notable careers. But the first name on the NHRA Pro Stock champions list is Ronnie Sox in 1970.