Drag racing has lost another legend.
Veteran nitro racer Jimmy King died on Monday October 1, 2018. He was 81 years old.
King, most notably known for his partnership with Don Marshall, was considered to be one of the toughest drag racers to come out of the New England area. He drove a number of cars starting in the mid-1950s before stepping up to a Buick-powered ’46 Chevy gasser and then a blown gas, Chassis Research K-88 chassised dragster with partner Lee Tatroe.
King and Marshall officially teamed up in 1967 with a 392-powered front-engined dragster in Top Fuel with a state-of-the-art chassis from Don Long.
Their most memorable and greatest moments in NHRA Top Fuel competition came about six months apart, in the fall of 1970 and the spring of 1971.
King & Marshall won the 1971 Gatornationals effectively becoming the first Northeastern car to win a national event Top Fuel title.
In addition to their Gatornationals triumph, the team won four AHRA Grand American events, one IHRA national event, the prestigious New York Smokers meet, and more than 75 local races. King was voted Most Popular Driver by fans at three New England strips four years in a row.
King was inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 2003 and the New England Hot Rod Hall of Fame in 2006. King also was named Grand Marshal of the 2013 New England Hot Rod Reunion.
King is survived by his wife Penny Catalano and children, Gina Catalano, Gregory King and Bridgette McPhillips. He was also the father of the late James “Jay” King.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, October 6th, at 10am in St Mary of the Bay Church, 645 Main Street, Warren. Burial will be private. Arrangements are with Smith Funeral & Memorial Services in Warren.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Residents United for Furry Friends, (RUFF), PO BOX 568, Warren, Rhode Island 02885.
(Phil Burgess contributed to this report)
