DragRaceHallofFame.com Photo Gallery

The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) announced today a pivotal leadership change, appointing Alex Roach as CEO and Rich Schaefer as president. This strategic transition aims to invigorate the IHRA drag racing community by appealing particularly to younger audiences.

Schaefer is a well-known former NHRA Division Two director who has deep relationships within the Drag Racing community, especially in the southeast region.

Under Cuttell Motorsports’ ownership and guidance, the board comprises professionals from diverse sectors—including AI, automotive, private equity, and logistics—ensuring innovative governance for future developments in IHRA Drag Racing.

Anticipation continues to build in the Drag Racing community around next week’s planned update detailing additional organizational, structural, and sponsorship announcements as part of an evolving IHRA landscape.

Big news in in Drag Racing circles announced Darana Hybrid Company owned by Darryl Cuttell has purchased the organization from Larry Jeffers with plans on reviving it and bringing back the Nitro Jam series, including Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Mod as in the past he lower Sportsman categories will also be included. Other news, Kenny Nowling (formerly of ADRL) has been named President of IHRA! The IHRA offices will operate out of Ohio;.other possible projects may be a IHRA Museum. (12/20/2024)

Longtime friend and DRHOF.com supporter, Jim Hall, passed away at the end of October. Jim one of the founding members of the "Golden Commandos" back in 1962. The "Club" was a group of engineers, mechanics and technicians whom worked at Chrysler Corporation. Each member specialized and was responsible for the various areas of their race cars; transmission, engine, body, suspension and fuel! Throughout the years, they ran several different combinations; 426 Wefge, Hemi, 273 small block progressing to Funny Car/Altered wheelbase in 1965.

Jim and the crew "Golden Commandos" stayed active throughout the years traveling to various car shows/nostalgia events namely "Chrysler's at Carlisle".

Talks are underway to revive the PBIR/MOROSO PARK facility. Back in 2008 while under the control and ownership of Sue Moroso the track was slated for major upgrades throughout with many werecompleted: concrete track, Compulink timing system andscoreboards, asphalt in the pit are and upgrade interior of the timing tower, plus an all new office building on the front of the property on Beeline Hwy. The proposed plan will be many faceted with information being released to the public as soon as posible! Needless to say, the plan will include a Drag Race Museum, which of course Drar Racing Hall of Fame.com is in total support. (08/17/2024) "Memories of Moroso Motorsports Park/Palm Beach Int'l Raceway"

Reconstruction of Moroso Park to Palm Beach International Raceway in 2008. Needless to say, we are ready and willing to start a new project with hopes that everything falls into place. (08/18/2024)

Martha Jean (Myers) Xakellis, 84, of Lititz, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, July 20, 2024, with family by her side. Better known as Martee, she married Gregory James Xakellis (former NHRA Division One, Director) on Valentine's Day in 1976, and remained his loving wife for 48 years.

Martee worked alongside Greg for the National Hot Rod Association for more than 20 years as Division Secretary for the Northeast Division, and she was a familiar face at the track in the registration trailer. She was also a membership secretary for the Lancaster County Historical Society for a little over a decade, and then spent 23 years working at the Lititz Public Library as an Administrative Assistant to the Director. She was deeply involved in genealogy and research, and was the author of the Grave Undertakings series, cataloging the graves of many cemeteries in Lancaster County and providing insights and history to the various sites. Some of her favorite hobbies were knitting, crocheting, embroidery, and she was a talented artist.(07/20/2024)

Longtime Maple Grove Raceway starter passed away this week after suffering a stroke several months ago. He was released from the hospital/rehab and was living at home with his wife Teresa. Mike also did stints as the starter at Cecil County Dragway and Numidia Raceway. Mike excelled in being very conscientious making sure the track was always in top condition dedicating himself to the safety of the racers, plus providing a superb track. Mike also did backup at some NED 1 and the NHRA Keystone Nationals. He was a 2015 Drag Race Hall of Fame.com Inductee for his many contributions to Drag Racing.

Needles to say, Mike was very well liked and will be missed by many! Our condolences to Teresa and family. (5/23/2024)

Two more inductees have been included for 2024 starting out with Jeg Coughlin Sr, whom needs no introduction to drag racing enthusiasts. Jeg Sr.the patriarch of a drag racing dynasty including sons, grandsons and of course himself! Jeg has and family have been racing for the past seven decades.

Secondly, Ron Mancini of Mancini, a noted racer Ron has been a dedicated Mopar racer/supplier since the early 1970s and one of the founders of Mancini Racing Corporation in Michigan.(1/18/2024)

We wish Don Garlits (NHRA number #1 Racer of all-time) a Happy 92 Birthday! Don racing since 1955 has been at the forefront of many innovation in the sport, plus, plus won three NHRA World Championships and scored 17season titles and 144 national event wins in Top Fuel! Considering he has had several life threatening incidences while racing, like the clutch explosion the severed part of his foot (1970 Lions Dragway) and the blow over at the SummerNationals (1986). Although credited as the first rear engined dragster, actually he is the first to turn it into a winning combination and getting the 426 Hemi to be as competitive as the older 392 Hemis.(1/12/2023)

With saddneass we announce the passing of Motorsport mogul Don Schumacher of cancer. Don the proprieter of DSR Racing, plus running the well-known Schumacher Electric Company.In the 60s and 70s Don campainged a variety of Funny cars winning the F/C category the NHRA Nationals at Indy in 1970. Don also was instrumental in building a variety of race teams for DSR Racing and scoring 19 NHRA World Championships, most notably Top Fuel with his son Tony driving the Army sponsored T/F dragster! Along with "Stardust" F/C one of his most prolific race cars was the "Wonder Wagon" a Vega panel wagon. Don was also involved supporting many charitiy organizations. Needless to say, the Industry will miss his ongoing contributions to motorsports. Incidentally., DRHOF.com's, George Case, worked with him and his DSR Team developing the two Top Fuel drasters for Yas Marina Motorsports in Abu Dhabi, UAE. note: Tommy Johnson, Jr and Rod Fuller were the drivers for the team cars. (12/21/2023).

Although this comes late, Skip Asay passed away July 15, 2023. We do not have details (please provide if you know) of his death. Skip was a hardcore Junior Stock race from New Jersey running a series of small-block Chevrolet's. Our condolences go to his family and friends.(10/29/2023)

Skip's daughter Christine gave us a little update and recalls in her younger days how much she/they enjoyed going to the track with her Dad!

KUDOS to the TRAILER RANCH...............................

Drag Race Hall of Fame.com founder, Harry Laplatte, has been busy working with the folks at the "NEW" IHRA. IHRA are trying to revive the organization and have already enlisted many tracks! On the left is Harry's van with the IHRA logo emblazoned on the tailgate.(04/03/2023)

IHRA info

We really don't have much information on the passing of Dave Wren former NHRA Super Stock racer. Dave was a fierce competitor in the late 60/70s running Mopars! We'll try an update as soon as additional information is received. (03/01/2023)

Under the tutelage of Harry Laplatte the selection has started for 2023 Inductees. A few names already chosen are Dave Wren (multi-time NHRA winner), Dave Lyall (Ford racer 50 over years), Jim Head (campainged T/F car and then AA/FC), Tommy Grove (original driver of "Melrose Missile" than onto Ford FC) and Dick Housley. The Drag Race Hall of Fame.com's Inductee list began (2011) we have only chosen 5 inductees per year. As always if you have recommendations for Inductees, email Harry Laplatte at laplattehar@aol.com. (12/28/2022)

Judy Lilly one of the most prominent women drag racers of the 1960's to mid - 70's, passed away (she was 80) on August 9th. She originally raced a D/SP 1961 Corvette, when executives from Chrysler noticed her driving talent and became a top flight Stock/Super Stock racer with their support! Throughout the years she drove just about every Chrysler/Mopar in existence. She won 5 NHRA National championships, along with NHRA Division titles multiple times and Car Craft Magazine "Driver of the Year" three times. (9/7/2022) Additional info

Information provided to us from the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals event is the possibility of a new/revival of the well known and cherished Direct Connection program is in the works! Reportedly Paul Rossi, NHRA Super Stock Champion along with another legend, Butch Leal will be part of the revived program.

At the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals, Paul Rossi displayed his recently completed copy of his original Dodge Challenger, which received accolades at show. Paul completed the dusty shell to what you see here. The results are a high quality replica. One thing that Paul wasn't satisfied with is the original car was hand lettered and this one is vinyl letters. Paul plans to have the Challenger hand lettered. Attention to detail! (7/30/2022)

One of the most outstanding track operators, Jim Rockstad, has passed away from a long illness on 6/13/22. Jim was a groundbreaker to say the least and was involved operating and promoting SIR, Seattle International Raceway, now Pacific Raceway. Jim used to promote those awesome 64 Funny Car shows back in the day. Jim leased the facility and learned plenty under the wings of Bill Donor. The two were innovators in the early days of drag racing!

Former VP/GM of Maple Grove Raceway said, "Jim and I became great friends over the years, while attending the NHRA Track Operators Meeting each year and spoke throughout the season on different approaches to racetrack operation/management. Even though we were on opposite coasts many of the things correlated from each others track.Jim was a great guy!" (6/15/22)

Without a doubt one of the best announcers in the business passed away today, Dave McClelland! Dave, whom was the lead announcer for NHRA for many years brought a level of professionalism to Drag Racing. Dave passed away of natural causes at the age of 85.

McClelland called his first drag race in 1959 and began broadcasting NHRA on television two years later. He did not retire from the organization until 2003, calling events on ESPN, The Nashville Network, The Speed Channel and other networks during his career (5/22/22)

Veteran NHRA racer Kenny Koretsky and his family, including his sons Kenny Jr. and current Pro Stock driver Kyle, have purchased Maple Grove Raceway, located near Reading, Pennsylvania. The Koretsky family has lots of upgrades planned within the next three years. Good Luck to Kenny, Kyle an Ken Jr.!

Maple Grove Raceway has a long history in Drag Racing dating back to the early '60s. (4/25/22)

Former NHRA Chief Starter Rick Stewart, who inherited the role from the only guy to have ever held it before him, Buster Couch, passed away April 1.

Despite never winning a national event in his nine-year Top Fuel career, Rick Stewart will always be able to boast about seeing more national event-winning runs than anyone in NHRA history. That’s because for 15 years, beginning in 1996, he had the best view at every NHRA national event as NHRA’s chief starter, then hung up his iconic hat at the conclusion of the 2011 season.

Stewart's passing comes less than a month after his contributions to the sport were rewarded when he was inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame. (4/1/2022)

The new "Visit a Legend" program kicked off this week with Drag Racing Hall of Fame's".com Harry Laplatte visiting with Ken Vogt the second owner of the "Bob Ford 1964 Thunderbolt". Harry was able to meet Ken, who lives just about a mile from the DragRaceHallofFame.com warehouse in Jupiter, FL! Great way to start the "visits"

We are seeking support, to fund the visits this year! Contact Harry Laplatte at call or text (561) 301-6840. (9/28/21)

The Drag Race Hall of Fame.com's Harry "the Hat" Laplatte has secured a RV/motorhome to begin his travels as part of the "Visit a Legend" program. Shortly, Harry and vehicle will begin the journey on the east coast trying to visit as many former racers, etc., that he can.

If you are interested in having Harry/Marco stop by for a chat and talk about "the old days"; please contact either Harry at phone/text (561) 301-6840 or laplattehar@aol.com or Marco at (240)375-4329 or email marcosgarage@earthlink.net. (7/12/21)

The plaques this year are a little late due to the pandemic and finalizing the inductees. Marco Decesaris along with Harry "the Hat" Laplatte will distributing the plaques at Carlisle this coming weekend.

Inductee list; Nancy and Charles Wilson (East Coast Drag Racing Hall of Fame), Bob Moore (Pittsfield, MA), Jack and Anne Armstrong (see below), George Cureton ("Tokyo Rose" Jr Stocker, 1967 World Champion) and Royce Miller from (Maryland International Raceway). (7/4/21)

We just received notification that Neal Hinkle (2015 DRHOF.com Inductee) passed away from heart surgery on July 22, 2020. Neal was a member of the Legion of Honor (2016) and 2017 Pocono Drag Lodge Hall of Fame. He campaigned a 1961 Corvette in B/SP, a 58' Corvette C/A and the former "Jungle Jim" 1969 Chevy II as a B/A. His B/SP 1961 Corvette was on the main image on the Vargo Dragway Reunion poster for 2017.

He raced for many years concentrating his racing endeavors on the Pennsylvania area; at tracks like Vargo, Pocono Drag Lodge, Numidia, Island Dragway (NJ) and Maple Grove Raceway.

Neal operated a shop in Allentown, Pa, Neal's Performance Center. (6/10/21)

Drag Racing Hall of Fame.com's, Harry Laplatte will take to the road right after the fourth of July to start visiting and chatting with some of the 2021 DRHOF.com Inductees and others; former racers, crew members, etc. discussing the so-called "OLD DAYS" of drag racing or whatever!

Another important issue to let all be aware of is we are approximately six months behind with the 2021Inductee plaques, which are usually presented to the Inductees at Chrysler's at Carlisle each July. We are thrashing on having the plaques produced and will inform the recipients as to the delivery dates as soon as we receive confirmation.

Harry plans on attending Chrysler's at Carlisle, July 9-11 along with Marco Decesaris from the American Racing Performance Museum. (6/8/21)

Now that the rules have been relaxed for the COVID-19 pandemic, we have decided to go out and visit some older racer, etc. Both Harry "the Hat" Laplatte (DRHOF.com) and Marco Decesaris (American Racing Performance Museum) plan on "road tripping" this summer and bench racing about the old days and how drag racing and cars used to be! We can't promise we'll stop and see everyone, of course distance and scheduling will help us organize a a satisfactory program, so we can stop and see as many as possible.

If you are interested in having Harry/Marco stop by for a chat; please contact either Harry at phone/text (561) 301-6840 or laplattehar@aol.com or Marco at (240)375-4329 or email marcosgarage@earthlink.net. (6/03/21)

Charles (Chuck)Thomas Grimsley born March 29,1932. Formerly of Omaha, Nebraska. Charles passed away on April 24, 2021 in Edgewood, New Mexico. Survived by wife Kathleen Grimsley. Loved by many and will be greatly missed.

Chuck drove the"Rebel Rouser" 1965 Dodge Altered wheel-base built by Ted Detar. Chuck was a 2020 Drag Race Race Hall of Fame.com inductee recipient! (see below) 5/5/2021

With the latest closing of Atlanta Dragway it joins Raceway Park (Englishtown, NJ) is the sport of Drag Racing in demise! Also closed temporarily for 2021 is Route 66 in Chicago due to the Covid 19 pandemic. These are just three NHRA National event tracks going by the wayside. We don't whats in store for Route 66 in 2022, but hear the Nhra National event track may also go away. Of course in California many like Lions, Irwindale, Orange County Iternational Raceway (OCIR) closed in the late 60's and 70's due to land values and development projects and don't forget York US 30 in Pennsylvania another well known track of the era.

The Covid-19 pandemic has been a burden to many of the smaller tracks around the country as well, sadly. How many will survive, only time will tell., plus the changing and aging of participants. Outlaw racing and No-Prep races are very popular with the younger market. The popularity of television shows like "Street Outlaws" has taken its toll on true Class Racing! (5/5/2021)

Being its the tenth anniversary of the DRHOF.com, we have decided to included several other inductees, whom were heavily involved in Drag Racing during its formative years! The new inductees are Sonny DeCesaris, the co-builder and co-owner of Cecil County Dragway built in the early 60's, along with brother-in-laws, Hugo & Ebby Procopio. The trio also ran Capitol Dragway! Another well known supporter of racing on the east coast is Bob Banning, Sr., who of course ran Stockers, Super Stocks and Funny Cars out of his dealership in Maryland. (2/19/2020)

Jupiter, FL. - The brothers, Wayne and Dan Jesel have been added to this year's DRHOF.com inductee list! The brothers campaigned the infamous "Yoo Hoo too" starting in 1966 with partner Tony Massari. The car ran several NHRA classes G/SA, H/SA and I/SA as the NHRA changed weight factoring, etc over the years. The brothers went on to compete in Competition Eliminator with a 1974 Camaro, then moving on to a couple of Land Speed cars (Bonneville). Of course the Jesel Inc. name is well recognized in all forms a racing from NHRA drag racing to NASCAR! (1/23/2020)

DRHOF.com, Jupiter, FL - The committee has chosen several nominees to date; Bil Stiles, Hemi Barracuda, Billy West 1962 Plymouth "The Little Pilgrim", Bob Rossi Competition Eliminator A/A Oldsmobile Acheiva, Chuck Grimsley altered wheelbaseearly Dodge, Dave Reitz mechanic for Bob Banning Dodge, Don Carlton "Mopar Missile", Ernie McDaniels, Gary Dyer "Mr. Norms Dodge", George Reese George' Corvette Shop, Jack Redd "JACK APPROVED", Jere Stahl Stahl Headers, Jim Oddy Gasser standout engine builder, Jules Schoenberger "Paper Lion" Philadelphia Racing Engines/Products, Paul Blevins another Competition Eliminator (Scotto Blevins), Ray Allen 1970 Chevelle SS/EA NHRA World Champion, Tom Snyder driver of the Bob Banning cars Stock up to F/C and Tom Wright! We will be publishing more details on the inductees as we receive photo, etc. (1/06/20)

PHOTO GALLERY 2020 Inductees

The crew at the Drag Race Hall of Fame.com is feverishly working on the latest group of Inductees for 2020! Marco DeCearis, Harry LaPlatte and George Case are tallying the votes and will post them shortly. ((December 21, 2019)

Short history of the COPO Camaro……………………..

Harry Lap latte out and about the country giving out the 2019 DRHOF.com Inductee plaques. Harry made a trip to Sanford North Carolina to visit with NED1 Stocker standout Skip Asay! Skip ran a trick for the time (1970's) 1968 Chevelle convertible in M/SA out of Raceway Park.

Now retire and living in North Carolina still keeping up with drag racing and looking for photos from back in the day of his race cars. (8/7/19)

2013 Drag Race Hall of Fame.com inductee, Art Marshall was recognized ans photos displayed in the "Holley National Hot Rod Reunion" event program.

The 1972 Grandnationals marked the last National event win for a front-engined car in Top Fuel, as Art Marshall drove to an unlikely victory in the former Don Prudhomme Hot Wheels machine, beating Clayton Harris, Carl Olson (both of whom red lighted) and in the final, Jeb Allen, who went up in smoke. (7/26/19)

Dickie Estavez was presented his plaque from DRHOF' Harry LaPlatte last night during the weekly gathering at Marco Decesaris' "MARCO'S GARAGE", part of the American Racing Performance Museum in Lothain, MD. (phone 240-375-4329).

Dickie a longtime racer was hurt in a fall last year at Maryland International Raceway, while assisting with some scoreboard repair. (7/17/19)