Bill Wittenauer started racing True Street and Outlaw-type events back in the early 2000s, until the cost of being competitive surpassed what was in his wallet. As a UPS driver, Wittenauer didn’t have much time to devote to keeping up, either. Therefore, he decided to do what not many racers are capable of doing; he dropped back into index-style classes.

The car he takes into battle is this 2000 Mustang GT, but under the hood is something you may not expect. It’s a 351 Windsor with Total Engine Airflow-ported Trick Flow Twisted Wedge Heads, a Jay Allen cam, an Edelbrock Super Victor intake, and an EZ Plate restrictor plate system; all fed by an Aeromotive fuel system. Wittenauer uses the EZ Plate system to dial-in to his desired index. Behind the Windsor is a home-built C4 with a Bradco converter, and a built 8.8 with a Moser spool and 33-spline axles, and 4.10 gears.

Don’t let the 4.6 badges fool you, Wittenauer’s New Edge takes its power from an old-school 351 Windsor with a C4 behind it.

Making it possible to drop the Windsor inside the New Edge GT’s engine compartment is a PA Racing tubular K-member, with corresponding tubular A-arms up front. Out back the GT has adjustable upper and lower control arms with an anti-roll bar to keep the car on the straight and narrow. For suspension adjustability, Wittenauer uses Chris Alston Varishock double-adjustable shocks and struts. Of course, Bogart D10s with Hoosier Quicktime Pros have a lot to say about how much traction the car gets, as well.

Wittenhauer has been running 7.50-index classes since 2008, and for him it’s a family affair since his dad (aka Pops) also runs a 7.50 car, and his wife Susan and daughter Kate are always encouraging him to pursue his passion, which is drag racing. Typically, Wittenauer runs the 7.50 class in OSCA, US 60 Dragway Outlaw Series, and Ohio Valley Outlaw Series. “Pops and I have a great time racing together,” Wittenauer says.

The 2010 Ohio Valley Outlaw Series and 2013 OSCA 7.50 champ says the weather was not playing nice at the most recent Ohio Valley Dragway Prize Fight; Round Two. “These delays between runs are particularly hard on the index classes,” Wittenauer says. “Days like that really put your skill to the test.”

Wittenauer qualified 13th out of 22 cars, which some would think was bad luck. However, he used his skill and a little luck to whittle his way through the class and win the race. “Special thanks to my racing buddies Jimmy and Joey Keown, Terry Haynal, Kyle Atherton, Buddy Rodgers, Richard Dodge, Ron and Ron McGavic Jr, Kim Young, Greg and Jason Creamer, and many others who make racing truly enjoyable,” Wittenauer says.