IHRA Pro Stock racer John Montecalvo and Offshore Boat Legend Reggie Fountain meet up …

The chances are very slim that IHRA mountain motor Pro Stockers and Offshore Powerboats ever cross paths. This rare occurrence transpired recently down in the Florida Keys when John Montecalvo loaned his race rig to offshore powerboat racer Peter Meyer to use as a support vehicle. Montecalvo also put his Chevrolet Cobalt on display, and that caught the eye of offshore legend Reggie Fountain.

While Fountain’s name might not be a household one in the drag racing community, his status in the offshore powerboat world is reportedly akin to that of  “Big Daddy” Don Garlits in drag racing.

“I was invited by a friend and the car immediately drew a lot of attention,” Montecalvo said. “That’s when Reggie noticed our car.”

Montecalvo said he and fountain struck up a conversation and discussed the intricacies of one another’s race vehicles.

“I like offshore boat racing,” Montecalvo said. “I like it and I follow it. I could see me doing it one day. It has motors and it makes noise, count me in.”

But then you look at where they race – we’re in a cornfield somewhere and they are in Miami and Key West. - John Montecalvo

Montecalvo said Fountain’s boats run twin supercharged engines.

Fountain asked if he could sit in the car and Montecalvo obliged.

“That little car had his interest peaked I can tell you that,” Montecalvo said.

Could he envision Fountain driving a Pro Stocker?

“I don’t think so,” Montecalvo said. “That would be like me trying to ski the Alps or something. That’s just not his forte. He does boats and he does very well at them.”

Montecalvo didn’t get the same opportunity to sit in Fountain’s machine.

“That couldn’t have happened, because I might have driven off with it,” Montecalvo said. “I don’t think they trust me.”

Don’t think that Montecalvo hasn’t had some coaxing to convert. He admitted that longtime friend and fellow Pro Stock racer John Nobile has tried to get him involved.

“It would be fun,” Montecalvo said. “But it is more dangerous than what we do. I kind of like having a roll bar over my head. But then you look at where they race – we’re in a cornfield somewhere and they are in Miami and Key West.

“They are staying at resorts during the races; I don’t think we have those.”