Veteran NHRA Division 7 Sportsman racer Ronnie Marcum died as the result of injuries suffered in a pit-area accident at Auto Club Dragway at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., where he was competing at a Southern California Drag Racing Association event. He was 53.

Marcum was one of a group of Southern California racers who helped start the Pro Gas class in the early 1980s that morphed into the current Super Gas category. Marcum was the 1981 champion in the Southern California Pro Gas Association. Two weeks ago, Val Torres Jr. drove Marcum's '67 Nova to the Super Gas victory at the Fram Autolite NHRA Nationals in Sonoma.

NHRA extends its deepest sympathies to his family and friends. 

Services will be held Sunday evening, Aug.16 with a wake at Rose Hills Cemetery in Whittier, Calif. Visitation will be from 6- 8:30 p.m. The funeral will be Aug. 17 at 11 a.m. at Sky Rose Chapel at Rose Hills, in Whittier.