Bobby Lagana has become the social secretary, of sorts, in the IHRA's Top Fuel class. It seems a natural role for the affable New Yorker, who has made a special point to walk through the pits at races this year, just to become acquainted with drivers in classes other than his own. "Man, you learn a lot about different people," he said.

 

"In high school, I wasn't a jock, I wasn't a nerd, I wasn't the preppie or Guido. I hung out with every one of them and kind of kept them all neutralized. It's kind of the same over here."

 

And Lagana proved by his action this past week that he doesn't just fancy himself a friend of every racer. He showed that by his actions.

 

To begin with, he chose to abandon his chances at the Cayuga make-up race to attend his sister's wedding.

 

Then when Lagana found out that friend and fellow dragster driver Doug Foley had been injured and hospitalized in Canada, he came to the rescue for Foley's wife Shelagh and their two sons. The Foley family flew from Philadelphia to Buffalo, and there Lagana picked them up and helped them get to the hospital.

 

"I've become very close with Doug in the last three years. His wife is awesome, and the kids are great. I love kids anyway, and those kids are unbelievable," Lagana said. He said he and his family "hung out with them, trying to get their heads straight."

 

He said, "I've been down that road when you're in the hospital. Every single person in drag racing helped me.

 

Any support you can get --a phone call, a dollar, a flower, or something to eat, a handshake -- it makes you think what you do is worthwhile. He got hurt in the line of duty."

 

"We just pray for them," he said, including Bruce Litton