NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Recent passings of notable figures from within the NHRA world. The NHRA extends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of those we have lost. Notices of passing can be sent to nhra@nhra.com.

Alison Lee, widely acknowledged as the first and pre-eminent female Top Fuel tuner, passed away Aug. 29. Her and her husband Jim's Top Fuel cars of the late 190s and early 1970s won three Division 1 championships. Most recently, they were involved in tuning their grandson Tyler's Nostalgia Top Fueler. [Complete story]

***

Alex Xydias, a legendary racer, speed-shop owner, filmmaker, publisher, and one of NHRA founder Wally Parks' dearest friends, passed away Aug.24, leaving behind a remarkable legacy that has deeply impacted the automotive world. He was 102. For more about Xydias' amazing career, read this tribute.

***

Steve Montrelli, one of the “big four” nitro engine builders of the 1970s, passed away Aug. 23. He was 84.

Montrelli, who competed for Funny Car engine-building prowess against Keith Black, Ed Pink, and Sid Waterman, was also a successful crew chief, tuning for the likes Mickey Thompson (including the SOHC Ford engines) and Don Schumacher, and was the guiding force behind the success of the Arias racing engine for frag racing on both land and water. Most recently, Montrelli was involved in the restoration of Jim Shue's Pure Hell Corvette on which he tuned in the late 1960s.
 

***

John Hamlin, known to many as the long-time partner of Dick Kalivoda on their DeSoto-powered Modified Roadster and later the Norton-Kalivoda-Hamlin “Joker” Top Fueler, has passed away. The "Joker was one of the strongest fuel cars in the Northwest and an NHRA National Record holder and was named the “Joker” because it could trump a King (Jerry Ruth) or an Ace (Ed McCulloch).

Hamlin also was a software engineer who developed a unique business application that was tailored to performanceparts manufacturers. In addition to normal accounting and inventory functions, it had modules to deal with things like contingency award programs.

***

Glenn W. Warfel, a longtime NHRA Member and drag racer of 40 years, passed away Aug. 22. He was 83.

Warfel raced in a number of classes, including Super Stock, Super Gas, and Competition Eliminator, as well as bracket racing. He's probably best remembered for his Scat Pack Doddge SS/AA Hemi Dart.

Warfel is survived by his wife of 61 years, Bonnie Warfel, daughter Dawn Acosta, son Dana Warfel, and grandchildren Tyler Lambert and Christina Lambert.

***

Veteran nitro driver Norm Wilcox died July 20. After launching his career in Top Gas in Steve Levy's car and drove Top Fuel for the likes of Leonard Van Luven, Ted Gotelli, Bill Simpson, and the Howard Cam Special. Wilcox is probably best remembered as one of the drivers of Roland's Leong's Hawaiian 1975-76, as well as Jim Green's “Green Elephant” and John Bateman’s Atlas Oil Tool car. 

***

Five-time NHRA Sportsman-racing world champion Scotty Richardson passed away Aug. 14 following a brief illness. He was 54.

Between 1988 and 2014, Richardson tallied 39 NHRA national event titles across six eliminators, Comp, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street. He is well known for his five world championships, but in actuality, that number could be closer to seven as he lost two more titles via a tiebreaker. In 1994, Richardson also became the first driver to claim two championships in the same year when he secured both the Super Comp and Super Gas titles.

By the mid-2000s, Richardson took a step back from NHRA racing to focus on big-money E.T. bracket events, and he barely skipped a beat, winning many of the biggest races in the country including the overall title at prestigious Moroso 5-Day E.T. championships (twice), the Spring Fling Million, and a host of other huge events. [Full story]

***

Dan Olson, a longtime NHRA nitro-racing crew chief and former NHRA Director, Top Fuel and Funny Car Racing, passed away recently.

Before joining NHRA in December 2006, Olson had been a manufacturer and racer for more than 40 years, his most recent before then was helping to guide operations of all teams at Don Schumacher Racing, which he had done since 1998. 

Dan Olson Racing Products has been designing and manufacturing components for all types of racing since 1969. In Olson’s early years as an engine builder, he realized that the oil pan did far more than just hold oil. He discovered the importance of controlling the oil with proper baffling while it was in the oil pan. He learned that by adding a kick-out, more power could be gained by keeping oil away from the crank assembly. Dan began tuning race cars and boats for legendary owner “Mr. Ed” Wills in the early '60s, then
 
He went on to crew chief the Pay-N-Pak hydroplane boat. In the ‘70s, Dan tuned many Top Fuel drag boats, winning many titles as well as tuning the first drag boat to break 200 mph. It was during this time he expanded his product line to include custom oil pans, zoomie headers, wings, and marine oil coolers. 

Olson also has served as crew chief for a number of other nitromethane teams including in the 1980s with Larry Minor's team, serving as crew chief for driver Cruz Pedregon, and before that, an assistant crew chief for driver Ed "Ace" McCulloch.

In ’93 he teamed up with Rance McDaniel in a two-year effort, which produced a NHRA national event win and made McDaniel the seventh member of the exclusive 300 mph Club. After two years as crew chief for Top Fuel pioneer Eddie Hill, Olson helped Tony Schumacher to the 1999 Top Fuel championship. In 2000, Olson tuned Schumacher to the first 330-mph run in Top Fuel and in 2004 tuned Gary Scelzi to the first 330-mph Funny Car run.

***

Martee Xakellis, wife of former Division 1 Director Greg Xakellis, passed away peacefully at home on July 19. She was 84.

For years, Martee has worked alongside her husband at the Division 1 office and at NHRA events. The duo were a hard-working team managing one of NHRA’s largest divisions and supporting racers, sponsors, and track owners for more than 30 years. 

***

Longtime NHRA competitor Steve Woods passed away July 16, he was 73.

Woods' racing resumé is long and deep, stretching back to the 1970s when he was the back-to-back Comp winner at the 1972 and ’73 Winternationls. Woods also competed in Modified and was runner-up to class legend “Ohio George” Montgomery at the 1971 Winternationals and 1973 Gatornationals.

Woods collected nine divisional wins and was a two-time Division 6 Comp champion.

In the early 1980s, Woods competed in Top Alcohol Funny Car, where he was a two-time NHRA national event runner-up and then went on to a successful third career in the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series, where he was the 2008 A/Gas champion, and in Goodguys and other nostalgia-racing competition.

***

Gary Fratus, a longtime field representative for Mark Williams Enterprises, died in a highway accident near his home in Lake Havasu, Ariz. Fratus was a familiar sight at NHRA events for many years, helping racers with their drivelines.

***

Neil Britt, who led a renaissance of success and content in NHRA’s National Dragster magazine and NHRA's Publications department for more than a dozen years spanning the 1980s and 1990s, died July 14. He was 77. [Full story]

***

Second-generation fast-doorslammer racer Lizzy Musi passed away June 27 from breast cancer. She was 33. 

Musi, the daughter of Pro Stock and Pro Mod legend and engine builder Pat Musi, was best known for her competition in the Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings shows.

***

Drag racing photographer Roger Richards, who was the Director of Photography at CompetitionPlus.com for 25 years, passed away June 24.

On behalf of everyone at NHRA, we want to offer our condolences to Roger’s family and friends. Roger was a great ambassador for NHRA drag racing and he always enjoyed a great relationship with NHRA drivers and officials. He will be undoubtedly missed within the racing community and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. 

***

Veteran Fuel Altered racer Ron Hope, known for his long string of Rat Trap entries, and a longtime competitor on the Bonneville Salt Flats, passed away June 21. He was 80. Hope and his son Brian toured the world for almost 25 years campaigning Fuel Altereds, bringing the joy and thrills to fans around the globe.

***

Other notable recent passings: Former Top Alcohol Dragster driver Kirk Lawrence, winner of the 1986 Gatornationals; Jack Robbins, Division 4 Top Alcohol Funny Car racer; Karen Hahn, wife of Pro Mod pioneer and supercharged gas veteran Frad Hahn; Sam Leland, former driver of the Mason-Dixon Raider Funny Car.

***

Les Jackson, who with his late brother Cal, fielded the long string of High Heaven Fuel Altereds and Funny Cars, died June 18. The family continued its nitro legacy for years with Les' son, Keith, at the controls of the family flopper.

***

Former NHRA Jr, Dragster Eastern Conference Finals champion Cody Hoberg, passed away following a tragic accident at his home June 16. He was 19. Holberg was the 10-year-old ECF champion in 2016. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Cody’s memory may be made to Racers for Christ, 1303 S. Longmore, Suite 7, Mesa, AZ 85202-9607. [More information]

***

Rick Lorenzen, founder of the Lions Automobilia Foundation, passed away peacefully Sunday, June 16, surrounded by family.

In a statement, the foundation wrote, "Rick's vision was the guiding light in the creation of the Lions Automobilia Foundation. His leadership and steadfast commitment to preserving what he referred to as a simpler time and to share with others. Rick enjoyed telling stories about watching the races at Lions Drag Strip as a young man with his friends and later meeting so many legends as they visited his treasured museum. As we navigate this challenging period, please know that I am committed to continuing Rick’s vision and values. My dedication will ensure that we remain strong and united, honoring Rick’s legacy in every step we take.”

***

Longtime Funny Car racer Randy Walls passed away June 13. Walls began racing Funny Cars in Southern California in the late 960s before hitting the match race circuit in his “Super Nova” Funny Car. he left drag racing in 1971 but returned to the sport 26 years later after he tracked down his original Nova-bodied fFunny Car in 1997 and decided to restore it. In 2004, Walls and his “Super Nova” became Nostalgia Funny Car’s first series champion. 

***

Rosalee Noble, the guiding force behind the Drag Racing Association of Women (DRAW) for decades, passed away May 30. She was 82.

Noble first became involved with the benevolent organization, which helps injured drag racers in need, in 1986. She became a board member in 1991, vice president in 1992, and president in 1993 and 1994. From 1995 until her passing, she served as the fundraising chair.

She also had a passion for drag racing, which she discovered at age 50 in 1992. She raced for 30 years at the Coles County Dragway in her 1982 Buick LeSabre Station wagon, affectionately called the Care Wagon. She was a three-time Coles County Dragway Champion and a runner-up in the Division 3 Race of Champions, earning respect and admiration from her competitors. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to DRAW, 4 Hance Dr., Charleston, IL 61920. To view the obituary, send a condolence message, light a candle, or post photos, please visit www.adamsfuneralchapel.com. Adams Funeral Chapel of Charleston, IL, is in charge of the arrangements.
 

***

Former NHRA Top Fuel world champion Ronnie Martin, who won the championship in Robert Anderson's dragster by winning the 1970 World Finals in Dallas, has passed away.

***

Popular jet-car racer Mike Evegsens, known to fans across the country for his string of Earthquake jets in which he competed from the 1970s through the 1990s, has died.

***

Other recent passings: Division 1 Super Comp racer Lenny Bucher, son of Top Fuel veteran Larry. He was 54; Division 1 Stock racer Bill Drevo; Jetcar racer Tommy O'Brien

***

Former NHRA Top Fuel driver Larry Dixon Sr., who won the 1970 Wintrnationals and was a member of the Cragar 5-Second Club, died April 6. He was 84. Dixon is the father of three-time NHRA Top Fuel world champ. [Full story]

***

Longtime Pro Stock racer Harold Denton, the only driver to have raced an entry from every major manufacturer (Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge, Plymouth, Mercury, Pontiac, Buick, Oldsmobile, and American Motors) has passed away. Denton's career, which also includes the class' first non-NHRA six-second pass, spanned 70 years.

***

Long-time drag racer Robert Harlukowicz passed away Feb. 24. He started his racing career in the mid-1960s class racing at all the Southern California dragstrips. He considered Lions his home track. He moved to southwestern Oregon in 1981 and continued bracket racing to the end. At 8, he won his last drag race he participated in September. 

***

Frank Tiegs, who sponsored John Force Racing entries through his businesses, Flav-R-Pac and Montana Brand Tools, passed away Feb.  8. He was 66. 

A successful entrepreneur who started his business empire with just one farm in Pasco, Wash., Tiegs went on to own more than a dozen businesses that included real estate, farming, processing, finance, development, and marketing.

“Frank Tiegs was one of the most incredible, inspiring, and generous people I’ve ever met,” Force said. “He was so easy-going and easy to like and easy to talk to.”

Force first met Tiegs in 1990, shortly after the legendary drag racer earned his first NHRA Funny Car championship. They reunited more than 2 ½ decades later, and their renewed friendship began with a mutual love and appreciation of racing and muscle cars, and particularly their respective families.

The biggest highlight of the Force-Tiegs friendship came on Aug. 4, 2019, in the Northwest NHRA Nationals at Pacific Raceways in Kent, Wash., when Force and Prock performed a drag racing rarity by winning both ends of the two NHRA Nitro classes.
 

***

Other notable recent passing: Tom Chastang of the "Wheeler Dealer" AA/FD,; veteran Oklahoma TAD and TAFC racer Ron Morrison; Wayne Del Rio, of the NorCal brothers racing team; Funny Car owner Mike McIntire, Sr.; longtime Division 7Modified standout Jim Stevens, ago  88; Division 2 Super Stock and Comp car owner Glenn Young, age 80.

***

Judy Bergstrom, wife of longtime NHRA Division Director Gene Bergstrom, passed away from kidney and lung complications  Feb. 24. She was 78.

The Bergstroms fit NHRA founder Wally Parks' mold of a husband-wife duo working together to further the NHRA. Gene Bergstrom served as Division 6 Director from 1979 through 1992, when he was promoted to National Field Director. Judy was a constant in the NHRA world and served in many positions throughout that same time.

***

Doug Hamilton, a longtime chassis inspector and member of the Division 1 Certification Team, passed away Jan. 30. He was 74.

Hamilton was a 1966 graduate of Olney High School and served for the United States Navy in the Naval Air Reserves. He worked as a purchasing manager for AMTRAK until he retired in 2000.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia. daughter Lisa, and sister Carol Forgeng.

***
 

Longtime NHRA Funny Car racer Mike Van Sant passed away Jan. 6.

Starting almost from the onset of the class in the mid- to late-1960s, "Mighty Mike" had a long list of successful rides in high-profile cars, including driving for Mickey Thompson, Stone, Woods & Cooke, and Roland Leong. He started out partnering with Glen Solano on a Corvette-bodied car called "Invader," a name that Van Sant would use for decades while driving his own race cars, which he began doing in earnest in the mid-1970s after years of being a hired driver, continuing through the id-1980s before retiring.

***

J.L. Payne, a well-known and respected Top Fuel driver from the 1960s, has passed away. Payne, who raced in both Top Fuel and Fuel Altered, is probably best remembered as the driver of Vance Hunt's record-setting fuel dragster from 1962-64, but also drove for several other team owners in his native. 

***

Pro Gas pioneer and longtime Sportsman racer Donald Barton passed away Jan. 2. 

Barton was a pioneer in the Pro Gas class in thelate 1970s and early 1980s that was would eventually become Super Gas, wheeling his Clownin’ Around ‘55 Chevy from 1971 through the late 1990s. Barton later would drive Undercover dragster beginning in 2000 season and more recently drive the family’s Miller Race Cars dragster before returning to the ‘55 duties during the 2021 season.