NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

On Saturday, July 12, Southern California’s car culture came together in a powerful way to honor one of its greatest living legends — Ed “Isky” Iskenderian — as he celebrated his 104th birthday at the Roar of Lions Car Show hosted by the Lions Automobilia Foundation & Museum in Rancho Dominguez, Calif.

The event wasn’t just a birthday party, it was a living, breathing tribute to the man who helped shape the soul of hot rodding, drag racing, and the performance aftermarket. As the crowd filled in, the unmistakable scent of nitro and the rumble of vintage engines set the tone for a day of storytelling, celebration, and reverence. Joining the festivities were hot rodders and racers from the SCTA, including Danny Thompson, along with NHRA legends, such as Don “The Snake” Prudhomme and Bob Muravez. Steve and Cindy Gibbs’ Nitro Revival thrilled the crowd with a front-engine dragster Cacklefest, filling the venue with the roar and rhythm of nostalgia.

Hosted by Jack Beckman, the event brought together enthusiasts of every kind to share personal memories and express their gratitude for Iskenderian’s influence, not just in racing but in how racers connect with fans, media, and manufacturers.

Also on-site was the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, to help celebrate the event and the deep history of NHRA Drag Racing that continues to be written every day. The NHRA is a perpetual timeline of the sport’s evolution, something Isky himself helped engineer from behind the scenes with his sharp mechanical mind and sharper marketing instincts.

From his early days running at El Mirage with the SCTA to founding Isky Racing Cams, Iskenderian built more than just camshafts, he built a performance brand. He was one of the first to advertise directly to racers in enthusiast magazines, sponsor grassroots competitors, and turn performance parts into a lifestyle. As the first president of SEMA, he helped unite the aftermarket industry and gave racers, builders, and manufacturers a national stage.

The event also paid tribute to the late Rick Lorenzen, founder of the Lions Automobilia Foundation, whose vision helped preserve and promote the rich heritage of Southern California racing. A vision that his family, led by his daughter Tami Lorenzen-Fanselow, continues to drive forward.

At 104 years old, Iskenderian continues to embody everything that makes drag racing and hot rodding great: ingenuity, tenacity, humor, and heart. His birthday celebration was more than a milestone, it was a reminder of how far the sport has come and how people like Isky have made that journey possible.