That's pretty close to what I remember as well.
My version is: We had been run out of several parking lots on southland Dr, for various reasons. But one of the officers was new to town, he was an officer from Chicago and could actually interact with people on the street.
He found us on Harrodsburg Rd and would hang out from time to time. Geno being the friendly guy made friends with him kept challenging him to a race, finally he accepted and as you said, Gino took good care of him.
I wasn't there when they raced the other officer.
Gino drove over to my house after having the intake, cam and headers installed looking for a race. He asked to go from a roll on Winchester rd and got me by a car.
Later he had JK install the 5 speed in his 81 Z, that was the 5 speed that JK had in his 69 TA a year later.
You're right, no Woodward ave, but a lot of fun for the times.