Motorsports Newsletter 1/20/24

By Richard Parks

1) EDITOR: Questions have been raised as to how people can post notices on the newsletter. All you have to do is send what you want to publicize to me, and I will post it. I also research things of interest on the internet, such as racing news, schedules and post that. Most of the news, however, is sent to me by readers. How many readers? About 1100, down from the time I once had 5500 when I ran the Boat/Car Racers Newsletters in the past. Caveat: numbers are subject to whether people read and delete, or just delete, and whether they pass it on to others. The newsletter is free, I take no ads (meaning I never charge) and the reason I do it in the first place is that I learn from others, and it is FUN to do. Now you know.
AND: I apologize to about 50 readers who I accidentally forgot to BCC their names on a recent email notice. It is a polite thing to do to maintain your privacy and I forgot to double check. Editors make mistakes and to me this is a big one. You trust me to keep your email addresses private unless you want other people to contact you. Please forgive me.

2) Ken Lee passed away. He was Stormy Byrd’s crew chief for 15 years. He was loved by a lot of people. Ken always had a smile, a good attitude, was funny and was always helpful. He was a Vietnam veteran and I hope he gets a funeral with full military honors. I will miss him. He introduced Stormy to me and now we are married. Please say a little prayer for him. May God rest his soul. Anna Marco

3) Passings in 2023. In order not to overwhelm readers with grief this will be serialized in coming issues.

Mike Kopchick of Race Racing fuel pumps, passed away on December 28, 2024. Kopchick had been around the sport for decades and crewed on Shirley Muldowney’s Top Fuelers before becoming known for his racing fuel pumps. He learned his skills at the feet of many of the industry’s greats, including Ed Pink, Keith Black, Ed Donovan, and Henry Velasco before starting Rage in 1995. https://www.nhra.com/news/2023/memoriam.

AND: Six-time NHRA Division 2 Top Alcohol Funny Car racer Terry Mullins passed away December 30, 2024. He was 70. Before drag racing, the owner of Oak Ridge Tool-Engineering in Tennessee began his competitive life in boat racing in the 1980’s, winning more than 25 national events and setting the hydroplane world speed record. As an Alcohol Funny Car racer, he collected six NHRA national event runner-ups. Outside of his career, Mullins enjoyed many hobbies, which included golfing, boating, water skiing, SCUBA diving, and his love for aviation. He was a pilot for more than 40 years, including single-and multi-engine aircrafts, as well as helicopters. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Deborah Mullins; son, Alex Mullins (Meghan); daughter, Melissa Jay (Terry); grandchildren, Oliver (age 6), Madeleine (age 4), Nellie (age 3) and Henry (age 2); mother, Ruth Mullins; brother, Steve Mullins (Ashley); sisters, Pam Mullins and Sherry Mullins Menefee; as well as several other relative, friends, and loved ones. https://www.nhra.com/news/2023/memoriam.
AND: Veteran racer Howard Haight, who competed in nitro-burning cars from Top Fuel to Fuel Altered to Nostalgia Top Fuel for five decades beginning in the early 1970’s, passed away on December 13, 2024. Best known for a hard-running California-based Top Fueler with partner Ron Cochrum for more than a decade, Haight launched his nitro racing career as a 17-year-old in Jim Moore’s James Gang dragster in 1971 and also piloted Nick Cirino’s Warlock entry, and went on to drive for Al Reid (Speedcraft), Harry Lehman (American Way), and Nelson Lengle (California Sun) before he and Cochrum built their cast-iron Chevy-powered entry that was among 1972’s quickest of that breed. He also drove the Bad Actor Fuel Altered of Gary Hazen and Tom Topping in this era. In addition to driving the Cochrum & Haight car, Haight also wheeled Jim Johnson’s and Mike Duffy’s Hemi Hunter on the East Coast in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. In 1981, the Cochrum & Haight team moved from its traditional Chevy-based powerplants to late-model Hemis and, although they seldom competed at national events, they were staples of the West Coast match race scene through 1987, when they parked the car. Haight drove a couple of races for “Nitro Noel” Reese with an engine reportedly out of Don Garlits’ famed Swamp Rat XXX but qualified for neither. Haight raced Fuel Altereds, including the famed Pure Heaven entry and Don Ewart’s Equalizer, in the early-to-mid-1990s before jumping into the Circuit Breaker Nostalgia Top Fueler in 1998 and continued racing in both of those worlds up through the 2014 season. https://www.nhra.com/news/2023/memoriam.

4) Richard is correct. No one dared tell Veda Orr she could not drive for fear of an extremely uncomfortable interaction with Karl Orr on the dry lakes in Southern California during an SCTA time trial. From LandSpeed Louise Ann Noeth at louiseproductions.biz.
READERS: This is in regard to Tony Thacker’s request for information on Veda Orr for his next book. If you can help Tony, he can be reached at tonythacker32. Karl Orr was a few years older than my father, Wally Parks, and a large number of SCTA and pre-SCTA time trial racers idolized the man. Karl was a no-nonsense, easily riled, focused, hard- working, stubborn and driven man who set precedent in oval track and early straight-line racing and was admired for his achievements. He was very close to Bob Sweikert of Indy 500 fame (Bob won the 1955 Indy 500 in a John Zink roadster), and Godfather to Bob’s eldest daughter. My father was the editor and co-founder of the SCTA Racing News and once wrote in the newspaper that “Karl Orr was the father (creator)” of the fastest car on the dry lakes at a recent meet. He meant this as a sign of respect, but Karl did not see it that way and stormed the SCTA office with half a dozen burly men looking for mayhem. A hasty explanation and apology defused the issue. No one messed with Karl Orr. He told the SCTA Veda was going to race and to time her and the SCTA let her race, even though the rules forbade it.

5) The Hidden Pioneers enjoyed our time last night with the Orange County (California) Mustang Club. It was a big success with good people. I look forward to seeing you soon at our 4th Annual Global Diversity Fundraiser summit next month. Enjoy the Cool Video that one of the Hidden Pioneers Rodney Allen Rippy did for us. https://youtu.be/jNG1nz9pXmc?si=Qyc5
hiddenpioneers.

6) To remind myself, I’ve put together a calendar of a few events in the area in addition, there are several local cruise nights that can be found, don’t have any info, other than they do exist. Sherm Porter fuely32.

JAN 1, 2024, Pismo Derelicts New Year’s Day Garage Tour, Derelict Parking Lot, 9am, Pismoderelicts.com.
JAN 14, 2024, Pomona Swap Meet, LA Fairplex, 714-538-9091, https://www.pomonaswapmeet.com/.
JAN 17, 2024, Annual Picnic, Mad Bomberz Car Club, Preisker Park, Santa Maria, @805CARCLUB instagram.

JAN 27, 2024, 3rd MOONEYES New Year’s Party, Irwindale Speedway, www.nhramuseum.org/events.
JAN 28, 2024, Porsche 356 Registry, 10am, meet Porsche Dealership, San Luis Obispo, back road drive to Los Olivos, lunch choice.

7) Gerry Belton’s involvement in organising the 1964 Drag Festivals – Part 2. Allen Friedrich who lived in England and was a British editor of the American Motor Sports Illustrated was looking to do a feature on the Drag Festivals. Southern Television wanted to feature the series on their programs ‘Here and Now’ and ‘Day by Day’ and the BBC were also interested. American Rodding magazine ran a competition in their first magazine to fly the winners to the Festival as well as a stay at the London Hilton. Not only that but they were planning to have over 2000 trucks throughout America with posters on their sides talking about the Drag Festival in London, England, and they asked Gerry to get Sydney Allard to give them one of his Dragsters in kit form to give away free in their next magazine contest! http://www.eurodragsterevent cover
johnhunt.drn.

8) EDITOR: Bill Montgomery of Hidden Pioneers was recently awarded the highest honor among the Presidential Achievement Award as he was chosen to receive the gold Lifetime medal for volunteerism in Transportation & Technology in December. Bill has devoted his life to helping others; especially young people. Born in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, he grew up in Forest Park area of Cincinnati, Ohio. He played soccer with the hope of becoming a world class player and then joined the US Army, serving in the 82nd Airborne Division out of North Carolina. After completing his service to his country, he moved to Buena Park, California to attend school and work. After four decades of service to his country and the youth of America he received the highest honor a volunteer can receive from his country. His team of Hidden Pioneers will go on a Nationwide Tour to visit High Schools to emphasize to young people that there are important jobs and careers in Technology and Automotive sciences. He believes in the potential of every young American to find success in their lives as he has in his. He needs our support in order to complete his projects. Hidden Pioneers is at HiddenPioneers.

9) January 21, 2024, Roar before the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, at Daytona Beach, Florida.
January 28, 2024, Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, at Daytona Beach, Florida.

10) Sacramento Raceway Park IS GONE. Its demise has been heavily rumored for the last 5 years or more. Yes, it is a very sad time for us “Quarter Milers.” Their website is still up and those interested can go there and look at some of the last vestiges of the storied race facility. For those that care or are interested, I am in the final stages of designing reading to print a suitable for framing 20×24-inch portrait poster of photos I have taken since 2007 and some older ones that I have acquired. Anyone interested in getting one can email me at hotrodbob46 and I will advise on the details. The current NorCal drag racing scene is a bit dim right now, with Sonoma (formerly Sears Point) having yet to formally announce their dates for 2024. On the bright side, Redding is very busy getting ready for their start next month. And Samoa has just published their ’24 schedule. Mendota, who came online last year is ready to rock the 1/8th mile group and New Year’s Day was a big success at Kingdon (Lodi), Eagle Field (Firebaugh) will run about the same schedule as last year. That’s all I know about right now. God Bless y’all, HotRodBob Choisser (Pod Ben on FB).

11) I have just finished a 2-part interview series with Rich Guasco and would like to pass along the links for those who are interested. Rich is having some health concerns right now so I would ask that everyone keep Rich and his family in your thoughts and prayers. Rich is one tough dude so I have no doubt we will see him at the track soon. Here are the links to part 1, dragracingsgoldenera.

12) I enjoy reading your Motorsports newsletter, I would like to point out an update/correction for 2024 and beyond the NHRA championship series is now referred to as the NHRA Mission Foods championship series, and Camping World is out. Your staff may look forward to receiving our Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame newsletter for January 2024 and beyond. Bob Aubertin, Director, Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame, at info, or 514-951-6112.
THE CHAGRINED DEPARTMENT: We goofed. It is NHRA Mission Foods.

13) I want to thank you for all of your hard work, and you do an amazing job. Ray Motes, Star Motors/Auto Worlds/Orson’s Automotive, 5400 Antioch Road, Suite 1A, Merriam, KS 66202.

14) Paula Murphy’s Final Finish Line (Serialized pt 3). LandSpeed Louise Noeth at louise.
Johnny Rutherford was the chosen pace car driver at the 2010 Indy 500 that year and politely sat in the right seat with his hands folded and relaxed as we exited pit row onto the famed oval. I was in the back seat and quickly unbuckled my seat belt to snap a shot of Paula spinning the speedo well past 100MPH. Mercy. She drove as though her Novi laps of decades past had only been a few weeks ago. It was then I fully understood what an exceptional driver the woman was. And she was also my dear friend. Johnny was so pleased with Paula’s driving he urged her to take another lap beyond what she had been instructed to do. No argument ensued and the tachometer hummed as Paula deliberately arced the thing further. I doubt I will ever get to drive that track myself, but people, it remains the best damn back seat ride I have ever had the pleasure to take. Thank You Paula. I love you. I miss you. I adore you.

15) The Engine Builder Hall of Fame was launched this week. For the next several weeks, we will be revealing a new inductee until all 8 of the inaugural class have been named. There will be a new page and video for each inductee. Go to: lake.
https://linktr.ee/totalsealpistonrings, 704-239-4401.
READERS: According to the website, the Pre-WWII Era Inductee is Harry Miller. The Executive Committee members for the Engine Builders Hall of Fame consists of Ben Strader, Billy Godbold, Jeff Smith, John Callies, Lake Speed Jr, Ron Shaver, and Paul “Scooter” Brothers.

16) To Don Garlits on his 92nd birthday from Don Smith.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR DON, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.

AND:

YOU’VE HAD ANOTHER BIRTHDAY

A HAPPY ONE WE HOPE

WE JOIN IN CELEBRATION

BECAUSE WE LOVE YOU SO

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY

WE’LL SING LOUD AND CLEAR

MAY YOU HAVE GOD’S BLESSING

THROUGH THE COMING YEAR.
AND:
January 14, 1932, was the day. Don Garlits.
DON: Where has the time gone? Lots of memories. To think of it, I’m no spring chicken either. Readers, anyone else have a birthday or do you know of anyone you would like to mention? Or anniversaries?

17) Books and Manuals available from CarTech Publishing at www.cartechbooks.com, 1-800-551-4754.
“Drag Racing’s Rebels: How the AHRA Changed Quarter-Mile Competition,” by Doug Boyce.
EDITOR: I am in the process of reviewing this book. How ironic that the son of the founder of the NHRA is reviewing the Rebels who broke away from the NHRA. What decision do you think I will come to? Tune in to find out.
HINT: So far it is an OUTSTANDING work.

18) From: Dragzine Newsletter newsletter and Don Smith. Street Outlaws franchise on hiatus from filming this winter and the No Prep Kings series in the midst of its offseason, Jeff Lutz and his son, Jeffrey, found themselves with a rare two full months of time on their hands and that proved the perfect time to get Mad Max ready for its return. The car, which won Drag Week in 2016, has been collecting dust ever since.

19) From Hidden Pioneers Bill Montgomery. After you have registered to attend the NHRA YES Program in your area, you will then be eligible to receive a free race ticket to the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals event held in Pomona, California at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip on Friday March 22, 2024. This ticket will be emailed to you on the week of the race. In addition, there is a series of supplemental videos released periodically covering various subject matter that will show students how S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) principles work in real world situations such as the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. So please keep an eye out for email alerts as those videos are released! You can enjoy those in the classroom or at home prior to the live event. John Baadilla atjbaadilla.

20) John Doonan, President, IMSA, joined us for the 4th Annual Race Industry Week. As IMSA President, Doonan is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the sanctioning body, which sanctions seven different racing series in North America. Hosted by Paul Pfanner of RACER.com. See https://www.epartrade.com/video/65862e6a-2023-featured-
racing-series-imsa-da272cc0-epartrade%E2%A0%80?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=24%20January-8&utm_content=24%20 January-8+CID_19aaf06aded67dc2b8dda13678eb4dbd&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_
team.

21) HIDDEN PIONEERS: Prime Motivation has been designed around a methodology to give disconnected youth an overview of the many, varied career opportunities that await them. Incorporating live demonstrations, hands-on workshops and educational seminars from hundreds of companies and organizations, Prime Motivation informs disadvantaged audiences of their potential futures through direct “Experiences.” From Bill Montgomery.

22) Books and Manuals available from CarTech Publishing at www.cartechbooks.com, 1-800-551-4754.
“Roland Leong ‘The Hawaiian‘: Drag Racing’s Iconic Owner & Tuner,” by Lou Hart (reviewed by the Editor).
“Camaro Concept Cars: Developing Chevrolet’s Pony Car,” by Scott Kolecki.
“1 of 1 Muscle Cars: Stories of Detroit’s Rarest Iron,” by Wes Eisenshenk.
“Custom Car Painting on a Budget,” by Rick Bacon & Dennis Parks.
“Chevy/GMC Trucks 1967-1972: How to Build & Modify,” by Jim Pickering.

23) DRAGSTRIPS in the USA and Canada. National Speedway Directory, 2504 Lake Ave, Wilmette, Illinois.
Oahe Speedway, Pierre, South Dakota, Dragstrips, 1/4-mile.
Ohio Valley Dragway, West Point, Kentucky, Dragstrips, 1/8-mile.
Old Bridge Twp Raceway, Englishtown, New Jersey, Dragstrips, 1/4-mile. Mentioned in my father’s book.
Old Cavern Dragway, Carlsbad, New Mexico, Dragstrips, 1/8-mile.

24) Hidden Pioneers CSI Bill & Camilo Pardo at the Pasadena Art Center event 2023. Amazing people doing “COOL” things. Here is the video of Camilo and Jim at Jay Leno’s Garage. Enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5iL
nz7 E0Ig&t=1331s. Bill Montgomery

25) WHERE OH WHERE IS … DEPARTMENT: Where, oh where, is Pete Millar’s Drag Cartoons? We have been waiting for information on where Robin Millar will be next: at a car show, reunion, Grand National Roadster Show, etc. Issue #34, December 1966, 35 cents American, was delivered at the Nitro Revival in November and we are anxious to read the next issue. The cartoons included, Mind Over Matter, The Sound of Protest, A/Gas, Free Poster, Auto Shop, Museums, It Pays to Advertise, Pete Millar Award, and Svenska from Start and Speed. Find more Pete Millar humor at LAFFyerASP
HALT.com or DRAGcartoons.com. Robin can be found at millarkey.

26) John Hunt of the British Drag Racing Historians Association wrote in about their group. Here are some of the articles that they have on file for UK drag racers. Due to length this will be serialized. Chris Dossett: “My brothers were kind enough to continue taking me to Santa Pod, and Snetterton, (which was close to where we lived in Suffolk) for meetings, up until around 1981, when things like education and starting to work for a living got in the way. My eldest brother Bill Dossett had also got married and started a family, and trips to the Drags slowly drifted away. Fast forward to the mid-nineties, I was living in Birmingham and, with both Santa Pod and Long Marston in easy travelling distance, I was drawn back to the strip for occasional visits. It occurred to me at some point I had missed out on a lot of action in the intervening years, I began to dig around finding out what had been going on having been away.” John is at johnhunt.drn.

27) FEB 2-4, 2024, 74th Grand National Roadster Show, Fairplex/Pomona. For info: www.rodshows.com.
FEB 10, 2024, Dr George Charity Car Show 2024, Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Limited to 1000 vehicles, Jules & Janet Varga, 760-625-8191, vargs2523.

FEB 16-18, 2024, Rockabilly Reunion, Lake Havasu State Park, Lake Havasu, www.TheRockabillyReunion.com.
FEB 25, 2024, Import Face-Off, Auto Club Famoso Raceway, www.importfaceoff.net.
FEB 29-March 3, 2024, 66th Annual Good Vibrations Motorsports March Meet-Auto Club Famoso Raceway, NHRA Heritage Series event, 661-399-5351 or fuely32.

28) The NHRA High School Students YES program ten 10 city tour 2024. from Bill Montgomery (Hidden Pioneers).
April 5-7: 39th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals, Phoenix, Arizona.
April 12-14: NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, Las Vegas, Nevada.
May 17-19: Route 66 NHRA Nationals Raceway, Chicago, Illinois.
June 27-30: 18th annual Summit, Norwalk, Ohio.
July 19-21: 35th annual Nationals, Raceways, Seattle, Washington.
July 26-28: 36th NHRA, Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, California.
August 28-September 2: Dodge Power NHRA, Indianapolis, Indiana.
September 20-22: NHRA Carolina, Dragway, Charlotte, North Carolina.
October 10-13: Texas NHRA Nationals, Dallas, Texas.
October 31-November 3: 24th NHRA Las Vegas Nevada Nationals, Las Vegas, Nevada.

29) Know your motorsports personality. Kevin Miller, President & CEO, USAC. USAC is one of the oldest sanctioning bodies of auto racing in the United States and serves as the sanctioning body for a number of racing series, including Silver Crown, Sprint Cars, Midgets, and many more. Compiled from Epartrade.

31) Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were peaceful. Attached is the NHRA Motorsports Museum flyer for our 2024 Twilight Cruise dates. We would appreciate it if you could post the flyer or announce the dates. I think the NHRA Motorsports Museum is everybody’s favorite museum and hang out. We are open Wednesday thru Sunday, 10am-5pm. Regards, Patrick Wright, Operations Manager, Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, 1101 McKinley Avenue, Building 3A, Pomona, CA 91768. Or write to pwright.
READERS: The Twilight Cruise nights begin on the 1st Wednesday of each month beginning in March and continuing on to December, from 4 to 7 pm. There is a fun raffle type contest that goes half to the museum and the other half to contestants. A $5 entry fee also provides access to the museum. Members of the museum get in free.

32) “Sebring 1983: The Warhorse and the Hitchhiker” is the latest book by all-around motorsports enthusiast, author and the recognized expert on the history of the 12 Hours of Sebring, Ken Breslauer, is now available for immediate orders. As the oldest active sports car race and one of most revered motorsports events in America, the 12 Hours of Sebring has produced some of the most exciting moments in international sports car endurance racing over the past seven decades. The legendary circuit, which originated from a World War II B-17 combat crew training base, has produced thrilling and sometimes bizarre races, but nothing can top the 1983 edition of the 12-Hour classic. Both on and off the track, Sebring 1983 would be unforgettable. From Adam Saal at saalgoodpr.

33) Steve Gibbs, written by Dick Martin 2016. SERIALIZED for the Motorsports Newsletter.

(caption) When Steve wrote radio ads for Drag News, he never envisioned one day being offered the position of advertising director for NHRA’s National Dragster magazine. “I did that for six months before Jack Hart [executive vice president of NHRA] said, ‘We really need you over here running these races. Would you want to come over here and drop the National Dragster advertising thing?’ I said, ‘You bet!’ I became Jack Hart’s assistant in 1970.” Steve soon took over a lot of responsibility for the NHRA events. “Jack had a serious health issue right in the middle of the season, and just before the U.S. Nationals, he wound up in the hospital. I wasn’t much more than a kid just over 30 years old, and ended up running the Nationals in Indianapolis, the biggest in all of drag racing. Shortly after that challenge, I became competition director, then vice president of competition for 25 years. Twenty-some races a year, and a lot of travel. I was gone a lot, plus I had a lot of responsibility. I felt it was time to end that part of my career in 1998. It was time to do something different.”

Dick Martin can be reached through Gone Racin’ at RnParks1. To see the captioned photographs go to https://www.motortrend.com /staff/dick-martin/.

34) Jeff Dodds Interview. Jeff Dodds, Chief Executive Officer of Formula E, joined us for the 4th Annual Race Industry
Week. Hosted by Brad Gillie from SiriusXM, Ch 90, The Late Shift. Go to: https://www.epartrade.com/video/ec0
3a153-2023-featured-racing-series-formula-e-da272cc0-epartrade%E2%A0%80?utm_medium=email&utm_c ampaign=24%20January-9&utm_content=24%20January-9+CID_50ab0c7d7eeb9f13d516016a69802918&utm_
source=Newsletter&utm_term=Click%20here%20to. From: EPARTRADE at team.

35) When Philip F. Walters was nearing 40, his singular racing talent persuaded Enzo Ferrari to offer him a contract for the 1955 season, which would have made him the first American to drive F1 full-time for the Scuderia. It would never be fulfilled. Walters had agreed to one final attempt at Le Mans with Cunningham. He had finished third in 1953, Cunningham’s best-ever finish there, and was just behind the leaders in a Cunningham D-Jag in the 1955 race when the Mercedes of Pierre Levegh launched into the crowd. Over 80 spectators were killed, and Walters had seen enough. “At that moment, I decided to retire from racing,” Walters told Vintage Motorsport years later. “Drivers getting killed is one thing, but women and children?” From Adam Saal at SaalGoodPR, 321-890-2848.

36) From: Dragzine Newsletter newsletter and Don Smith. NHRA’s Factory X class made its debut in 2023 with four races and Geoff Turk was the only competitor to field a Dodge Challenger Drag Pak in the class, with former NHRA Pro Stock world champion Allen Johnson at the wheel. In a new development, however, Turk’s Blackbird X machine will return with a new driver in accomplished journeyman driver Alex Laughlin.

37) Know your motorsports personality. Bob Sargent, CEO/President of Track Enterprises. Sargent operates many racetracks across the Midwest and has stepped into the Asphalt Super Late Model world by purchasing Champion Racing Association as well as the Midwest Tour. Sargent launched this year the highly anticipated 2023 ASA STARS National Tour. Compiled from Epartrade.

38) BOOK REVIEW: Drag Racing’s Warren “The Professor” Johnson, the cars, people & wins behind his Pro Stock Success, written by Kelly Wade, from CarTech Publishers. Reviewed by Richard Parks for the Gone Racin’ series.
One of the winningest drag racers to have ever competed in the sport is Warren “The Professor” Johnson and author Kelly Wade has captured his personality in a stunning work by CarTech Publishers titled Drag Racing’s Warren “The Professor” Johnson, the cars, people & wins behind his Pro Stock Success. His name is usually shortened to WJ and his only son and child, Kurt Johnson, referred to as KJ, is on a path to acclaim as well.
Wade includes KJ into Warren’s story, along with Arlene Johnson, Warren’s wife and Kurt’s mother. They have been a team since the 1960’s and dominated the Pro Stock class in the 1990’s. Until I reviewed Wade’s book the past impression of the Johnson family had been that of a low-key, highly focused, quiet and even rather boring racing group. My observation of father and son was clouded by the high energy racers in drag racing, such as John Force, Billy Meyer and the wild Altered class that left fans gasping. (to be continued)

39) Royce Rumsey just published Smoking the Competition. “WRC’s historic ‘Group B’ competition has been singularly defined as ‘mental.’ Pram Oen’s 2024 Rothmans livery Dakar, ready for its Optima Oasis visit at the 2024 King of the Hammers. If ‘Gruppe ‘ is psychotic, then the Paris-Dakar Rally is a rolling insane asylum. Searing heat, massive and ERG-esque sand dunes, molasses-viscosity mud, tire-piercing camel grass, and the obligatory rocks define the imposing terrain of ‘the Dakar,’ then throw in route-blocking hordes of fans and terrorist marauders threatening life and car-parts (to the point of cancellation of the rally 1988) and competing in the 6000-9000mile Dakar is indeed motoring madness. Of the hundreds of entries, less than half survive–with medical helicopters tending to the injured along the way.” Go to: https://roycer
roycer924_2.

40) DRAGSTRIPS in the USA and Canada. National Speedway Directory, 2504 Lake Ave, Wilmette, Illinois.
Good Times Drag Strip, Winnemucca, Nevada, Dragstrips, 1/8-mile.
Grand Bend Motorplex, Grand Bend, Ontario Province, Canada, Dragstrips, 1/4-mile.
Grande Prairie Airport, Grande Prairie, British Columbia, Dragstrips, 1/4-mile.
Great Lakes Dragaway, Union Grove, Wisconsin, Dragstrips, 1/4-mile. Mentioned in my father’s story.

41) FIA World Rally Championship/Date/Country/Venue.
28 January 2024 Monte-Carlo Rallye, Monte-Carlo.
18 February 2024 Sweden Rally, Sweden.
31 March 2024 Kenya Safari Rally, Kenya.
21 April 2024 Croatia, Croatia Rally.
15 May 2024 Portugal Vodafone Rally de Portugal.
2 June 2024 Italia Rally, Italia Sardegna.
30 June 2024 Poland ORLEN Rally, Poland.
21 July 2024 Latvia Tet Rally, Latvia.
4 August 2024 Finland Secto Rally, Finland.
8 September 2024 Greece EKO Acropolis Rally, Greece.
29 September 2024 Chile Rally, Chile BioBo.
3 November 2024 Austria, Czech Republic, Germany Central European Rally.
24 November 2024 Japan FORUM8 Rally, Japan.

42) ABB FIA Formula E World Championship/Date/Country/Venue
13 January 2024 Mexico Mexico City
26-27 January 2024 Saudi Arabia Diriyah
10 February 2024 India Hyderabad
16 March 2024 Brazil São Paulo
30 March 2024 Japan Tokyo
13-14 April 2024 Italy TBD
27 April 2024 Monaco Monaco
11-12 May 2024 Germany Berlin
25-26 May 2024 China Shanghai
29-30 June 2024 United States Portland
20-21 July 2024 Great Britain London

43) Supercars 2024 calendar (Australian Circuit)
February 23-25, 2024, Bathurst 500, Mount Panorama Circuit.
March 23-24, 2024, Melbourne SuperSprint, Albert Park Circuit.
April 19-21, 2024, Taupō Super400, Taupō International Motorsport Park.
May 17-19, 2024, Perth SuperSprint, Wanneroo Raceway.
June 14-16, 2024, Darwin Triple Crown, Hidden Valley Raceway.
July 5-7, 2024, Townsville 500, Reid Park Street Circuit.
July 19-21, 2024, Sydney SuperNight, Sydney Motorsport Park.
August 16-18, 2024, Tasmania SuperSprint, Symmons Plains Raceway.
September 20-22, 2024, Sandown 500, Sandown Raceway.
October 10-13, 2024, Bathurst 1000, Mount Panorama Circuit.
October 25-27, 2024, Gold Coast 500, Surfers Paradise Street Circuit.
November 14-17, 2024, Adelaide 500, Adelaide Street Track.

44) 2024 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES SCHEDULE Date/Race/Track/Network/Start Time (ET)/Radio
Friday, February 16 Daytona International Speedway FS1 7:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, February 24 Atlanta Motor Speedway FS1 2:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Friday, March 1 Las Vegas Motor Speedway FS1 9:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, March 16 Bristol Motor Speedway FS1 8:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, March 23 COTA FS1 1:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Friday, April 5 Martinsville Speedway FS1 7:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Friday, April 12 Texas Motor Speedway FS1 8:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, May 4 Kansas Speedway FS1 8:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Friday, May 10 Darlington Raceway FS1 7:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, May 18 North Wilkesboro Speedway FS1 1:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Friday, May 24 Charlotte Motor Speedway FS1 8:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, June 1 WorldWide Technology Raceway FOX 1:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Friday, June 28 Nashville Superspeedway FS1 TBD MRN/SiriusXM
Friday, July 12 Pocono Raceway FS1 5:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Friday, July 19 Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park FS1 8:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, August 10 Richmond Raceway FS1 7:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Sunday, August 25 Milwaukee Mile Speedway FS1 4:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Thursday, September 19 Bristol Motor Speedway FS1 8:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Friday, September 27 Kansas Speedway FS1 8:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Friday, October 4 Talladega Superspeedway FS1 5:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, October 26 Homestead-Miami Speedway FS1 Noon MRN/SiriusXM
Friday, November 1 Martinsville Speedway FS1 6:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Friday, November 8 Phoenix Raceway FS1 8:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM

45) 2024 NASCAR XFINITY SERIES SCHEDULE Date Race / Track Network Start Time (ET) Radio
Saturday, February 17 Daytona International Speedway FS1 5:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, February 24 Atlanta Motor Speedway FS1 5:00 p.m. PRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, March 2 Las Vegas Motor Speedway FS1 5:00 p.m. PRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, March 9 Phoenix Raceway FS1 4:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, March 23 COTA FS1 5:00 p.m. PRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, March 30 Richmond Raceway FS1 1:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, April 6 Martinsville Speedway FS1 7:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, April 13 Texas Motor Speedway FS1 1:30 p.m. PRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, April 20 Talladega Superspeedway FOX 4:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, April 27 Dover Motor Speedway FS1 1:30 p.m. PRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, May 11 Darlington Raceway FS1 1:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, May 25 Charlotte Motor Speedway FOX 1:00 p.m. PRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, June 1 Portland International Raceway FS1 4:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, June 8 Sonoma Raceway FS1 8:00 p.m. PRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, June 15 Iowa Speedway USA 3:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, June 22 New Hampshire Motor Speedway USA 3:30 p.m. PRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, June 29 Nashville Superspeedway USA 5:00 p.m. PRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, July 6 Chicago Street Race NBC 2:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, July 13 Pocono Raceway USA 3:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, July 20 Indianapolis Motor Speedway USA 3:30 p.m. IMS/SiriusXM
Saturday, August 17 Michigan International Speedway USA 3:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Friday, August 23 Daytona International Speedway USA 7:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, August 31 Darlington Raceway USA 3:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, September 7 Atlanta Motor Speedway USA 3:00 p.m. PRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, September 14 Watkins Glen International USA 3:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Friday, September 20 Bristol Motor Speedway USA 7:30 p.m. PRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, September 28 Kansas Speedway USA 3:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, October 5 Talladega Superspeedway NBC 3:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, October 12 Charlotte Roval USA 3:30 p.m. PRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, October 19 Las Vegas Motor Speedway NBC 3:00 p.m. PRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, October 26 Homestead-Miami Speedway NBC 3:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, November 2 Martinsville Speedway USA 3:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, November 9 Phoenix Raceway USA 6:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM

46) Combined World of Outlaws and High Limit Sprint Car Schedules/Date/Track/City/Series.
2/7/2024 Volusia Speedway Park Barberville FL (Outlaws)
2/8/2024 Volusia Speedway Park Barberville FL (Outlaws)
2/9/2024 Volusia Speedway Park Barberville FL (Outlaws)
2/10/2024 Volusia Speedway Park Barberville FL (Outlaws)
2/12/2024 East Bay Raceway Park Tampa FL (High Limit)
2/13/2024 East Bay Raceway Park Tampa FL (High Limit)
2/22/2024 Golden Isles Speedway Waynesville GA (High Limit)
2/24/2024 Golden Isles Speedway Waynesville GA (High Limit)

47) BLAST FROM THE PAST…… From the Wally & Barbara Parks story, We Did It Our Way.
The 1937 AAA National Championship automobile racing season began on May 31 and ended on September 12. Wilbur Shaw won both the Indy 500 and the AAA National points championship. Following Shaw in the points contest were Ted Horn, Bernd Rosemeyer, Ralph Hepburn, and Louis Meyer.

48) Frederic Lequien, CEO, FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), joined us for the 4th Annual Race Industry Week. Lequien, at the end of 2020 became the CEO of Le Mans Endurance Management (FIA/WEC/ELMS). Hosted by Richard James of RACER.com. For the interview go to https://www.epartrade.com/video/0e20f068-2023-featured-racing-series-fia-wec-da272cc0-epartrade%E2%A0%80?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=24%20January-7&utm_
content=24%20 January-7+CID_4c4d6eda181b43005092a3a38532ac2f&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_term=Click
team.

49) Seeking any information, names, recollections or certainly pictures of cars that were customized back in the 1940’s and early ’50’s rather than the mid-’50’s when lots of bolt on items came available to customizing your car, or for more advanced ways extensive lead sleds and having cars built by well-known customizers. Back in the earlier era individuals would hand craft their cars by substituting different parts (fenders, hoods, fins. etc.) to make their car almost unrecognizable to the car they started with. Some cut in door dips, made the car smaller but most wanted to individualize their car and make them look sporty! Thus, the term “Sport Customs!” Would love to hear from you and here are the contacts. Thanks. Your name will be added as contributors if you so wish. I am one of three authors helping to write a book on these cars since they were a segway into individualizing cars and this era was definitely part of the history of the Motor Car in America which little has been written about. Thank you. Paul Sable, 263 Bear Creek Lake Drive, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229, docsable1@gmail.com or call me at 570-325-3494.

50) We have started this new Division under the Hidden Pioneers Team. It’s called the ARTMIS PIONEERS. What is Artemis/NASA HiddenPioneers.

51) STORIES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST FROM THE GONE RACIN’ ARCHIVES; WRITE TO RnParks1.

EGGE OBSOLETE ENGINE PARTS 2006

EIBACH Springs Festival of Speed 2006

EIBACH SPRINGS COMPANY 2008

52) Coastal 181 Book Store (serving East Coast racing fans) www.coastal181.com or 1-877-907-8181. Titles include: “Riverside Park Speedway Memories, the Glory Days of Riverside Park Speedway in Agawam, Massachusetts, 1948-1999,” by Mike Joy and Dick Berggren (DVD). “The First Daytona 500 & Darlington 1959,” (DVD). “1969 & 1970 NASCAR Grand National Highlights,” DVD. “Tim Richmond, to the Limit,” by Rory Karpf (DVD).

53) John Hunt of the British Drag Racing Historians Association wrote in about their group. Here are some of the articles that they have on file for UK drag racers. Andy Rogers (Tog): I got into drag racing at the age of twelve, in 1976, as a result of Top Trump cards. Having seen the numbers on the cards I wanted to see cars do 200 mph in real life and I made my first visit to a drag race at Santa Pod Raceway in Easter 1977 (the event at which Dennis Priddle went 230 mph in Don Garlits’ car). Over the next few years, I made visits to Blackbushe and Santa Pod when I could get someone to take me. There was a bit of a gap between the late 1980s and the mid-1990s but then after I learned to drive, I started to attend Santa Pod a lot more regularly. In 1997 I co-founded Eurodragster.com with Tony Brennan; the site was originally intended to be a links exchange but as you all know quickly turned into a daily news and results service and took over my life. We covered (and Eurodragster.com continues to cover) every UK National Championship race plus most FIA/FIM European Championship rounds, specialist and lifestyle events, Test Days and Run What You Brungs. John is at johnhunt.drn. (to be continued)

54) “When you think about everything he’s witnessed, not to mention his personal involvement in helping lay the foundation for a Ford motorsports program that is now global, there isn’t a better person to honor for this award than Edsel B. Ford II,” said Eddie Wood, co-owner of Wood Brothers Racing (MSHFA Class of 2000), a team that has run nothing but Ford Motor Company products in NASCAR for 73 years, the longest team-manufacturer relationship in motor racing history. “In my opinion, he has not gotten enough credit for everything he’s done to help make professional motorsports as popular as it is today, but what makes him stand out even more is just the type of person he is. Edsel has a way of making you feel like you’re the most important person in his world whenever you’re talking to him. That’s a true gift. There isn’t a friendship I value more, and it makes me smile to know he’s being recognized for all the good he’s done on behalf of this sport.” From Adam Saal at saalgoodpr.

55) EDITOR: The following is serialized. “The Mehlenbacher Family and the Kohler Dragway (AKA Super Boss Dragway, and Cayuga 1320 Dragway). Throughout that period, the track received both NASCAR and NHRA sanctioning, the prominent North American race governing groups. Throughout the heavy muscle car days of the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Mehlenbachers leased the facility, and the dragstrip became one of the most prominent facilities in Canadian drag racing.” Bruce F. Mehlenbacher is at Bruce.

56) Global Summit videos Day Two: THE 1ST ANNUAL GLOBAL TRANSPORTATION & TECHNOLOGY DIVERSITY SUMMIT. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtS12DN6qgI&t=2423s. From Bill Montgomery of Hidden Pioneers.

The post Motorsports Newsletter 1/20/24 appeared first on Drag Racing List.

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