Austin Coil, the renowned crew chief celebrated for his unparalleled success in NHRA Funny Car racing, was honored alongside nine other motorsports luminaries at Tuesday night at the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America’s Class of 2024 induction ceremony.
Coil’s illustrious career spans decades, marked by his pivotal role in guiding John Force to an unparalleled 15 NHRA Funny Car championships and over 130 national event victories, solidifying their status as the most dominant driver-crew chief duo in drag racing history. He also tuned Frank Hawley to two NHRA championships in what was considered the ultimate underdog triumph.
Reflecting on his induction, Coil expressed gratitude and humility, emphasizing the collective effort behind his achievements.
“It’s a real honor,” Coil said of his induction. I really was surprised when I found out that I had gotten this award, and I’m just tickled pink,” He said. You know, it takes a lot of people to make a car win a lot,” He said. The driver is important, and the crew chief is important, but everybody is important.
“My co-crew chief throughout most of these wins was Bernie Fedderly, and he seems to get so little credit. It’s a terrible shame because I guarantee if it wasn’t for Bernie’s help, a lot of those win lights wouldn’t have come on. … And there also was our car chief through most of those wins, Dean Antonelli.”
John Force, the iconic driver who greatly benefited from Coil’s expertise, credited his longtime collaborator with refining his racing skills and imparting invaluable business acumen. Force recalled Coil’s unwavering support during challenging times, underscoring their enduring bond beyond the race track.
Although Coil wasn’t present at the induction ceremony in person, his presence felt through a taped interview he provided. John Force, on behalf of his esteemed colleague, graciously accepted the honor, recognizing Coil’s pivotal role in shaping his legendary career.
Force, known for his sincerity and humility, reiterated Coil’s significance, proclaiming him the true “Greatest of All Time” and attributing his success to Coil’s expertise and mentorship.
“He taught me so much, not just about driving a car but also about business,” Force said of Coil. He rode in the truck with me in the early days. There were times when I couldn’t make payroll; he didn’t have any money either, but he’d help me make payroll to keep the team going. He was a special individual.
“You know, they talk about the GOAT (Greatest of All Time). Coil is the real GOAT to me, and that’s what I’m going to say when I get up there. If anyone deserves to be called GOAT, it ain’t me; it’s him. He made John Force. I was there all along, I get all the credit, but it was his magic.
“Coil was someone who made me believe. You only build that with trust in time. They may try to call me the GOAT, but if that’s true, Austin Coil is the guy who created the GOAT.”
In addition to Coil, the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America will enshrine nine other trailblazers from various disciplines, including Scott Dixon and Jimmie Johnson, titans of open-wheel and stock car racing, respectively, alongside esteemed figures from motorsports technology and history.
