Earlier this year we let Tony Ruscetta, the NHRA and Snake Racing super fan from Rhode Island, do a blog entry. Well, I guess it’s only fair that we do a quick blog on TJ’s biggest fan for TJ’s NHRA.com driver blog. Vern McLeland, 62, now lives in Golden, Colo., near Bandimere Speedway. A lifelong drag racing fan, Vern spent his early years growing up in Ottumwa, Iowa, birthplace of one seven-time NHRA winner, Tommy Johnson Jr.

Vern knew TJ’s parents, Tommy Sr. and Sarah, before they were married. So, you can see, this is a friendship that goes back just a few years. In fact, probably some four decades. Hanging out with the Johnsons, it’s only fitting that Vern too is a drag racing fan. In the early ‘60s, he was the starter at Tri-State Drag Strip in Kahoka, Mo.

“That was so long ago that I used to start the cars with a flag,” McLeland said.

Even though Vern relocated from Ottumwa to Colorado in 1970, he and Tommy Sr. have remained close friends. They speak at least once a week. You’ve gotta love those free mobile-to-mobile minutes! Having attended more than a handful of drag races at the scenic Division 5 facility near Denver, Vern established relationships with both TJ Jr. and Melanie Troxel since they were in diapers. If you recall one of TJ’s blog entries last winter, he talked about joining a group of friends to go snowmobiling in Colorado. Well, Vern was the guy that hauled TJ out in the snow. When TJ drove his TA/FC and competed at Bandimere, he would stay at Vern’s place.

A long time street rodder, some of Vern’s buddies were building NASCAR-themed golf carts. It’s hard to find more loyal fans than NHRA devotees, so it’s only fitting that Vern’s custom golf cart look like TJ’s Skoal Racing Funny Car. It is the ultimate of golf carts. Lord only knows how much Vern has invested in the thing. One thing is sure, only Vern knows and he won’t ever let his wife know.

“It definitely gets a lot of attention,” McLeland said. “I’ve driven many street rods, but this golf cart turns more heads and gets more attention than any of my street rods ever did. I’ve known TJ since he was born, and his dad and I have always been close friends, so I thought this would be a nice tribute to him.”



Saturday evening after the completion of qualifying for the 27th annual Mile-Highs, Tommy Sr. was able to drag NHRA’s first couple out of their motor home for the annual cookout that Vern and a group of about 100 of his closest friends have every year in the motor home parking at Bandimere Speedway. While it turned into a nice autograph session for the fans, Vern presented each of the high speed couple with a special plaque commemorating their victories this year. TJ got a plaque for his Phoenix win, while Mel’s were for her Pomona and Vegas wins. I’m guessing both hope that was a bit of foreshadowing for a few trophies to be had on Sunday afternoon. It’s only a matter of time before the world’s fastest couple triumphs on the same day.

There you have it folks. A brief intro to Vern McLeland, TJ’s No. 1 fan. If you ever make it to the Mile-High Nationals, keep an eye out for Vern’s golf cart. It’s hard to miss and one of a kind.