PRUDHOMME, MCEWEN NAMED GRAND MARSHALLS
Fri, 2008-02-01 03:55
Two of drag racing’s greatest rivals, partners and friends – Don “the
Snake” Prudhomme and Tom “the Mongoose” McEwen – have been named Grand
Marshals for the upcoming March Meet (Mar. 7-9) at Auto Club Famoso
Raceway, outside of Bakersfield, Calif.
It’s no surprise that the March Meet, nostalgia drag racing’s premier event – and celebrating its 50th year of racing – is honoring Prudhomme and McEwen. “Both are former March Meet winners and part our rich racing lore and drag racing history,” said Blake Bowser, vice president and general manager of the Kern County Racing Association, operators of Auto Club Famoso and producers of the March Meet. “It’s an unbelievable honor to have them here as Grand Marshals. What a treat for the fans.”
“The March Meet really means a lot to me,” said Prudhomme, who was named the No. 3 driver on the NHRA’s top 50 drivers list. “The 1962 Smokers March Meet was my first race driving a fuel car for Kent Fuller and Dave Zueschel. It was THE race to win back then and I still have my March Meet trophy, which is one of my most prized possessions. Winning that race really kick-started my driving career, so to go from an unknown racer back then to being named a Grand Marshal this year along with Tom McEwen is something that I never thought would happen. But then again, Grand Marshals are usually old, so I guess it makes sense!” Two of drag racing’s greatest rivals, partners and friends – Don “the Snake” Prudhomme and Tom “the Mongoose” McEwen – have been named Grand Marshals for the upcoming March Meet (Mar. 7-9) at Auto Club Famoso Raceway, outside of Bakersfield, Calif.
It’s no surprise that the March Meet, nostalgia drag racing’s premier event – and celebrating its 50th year of racing – is honoring Prudhomme and McEwen. “Both are former March Meet winners and part our rich racing lore and drag racing history,” said Blake Bowser, vice president and general manager of the Kern County Racing Association, operators of Auto Club Famoso and producers of the March Meet. “It’s an unbelievable honor to have them here as Grand Marshals. What a treat for the fans.”
“The March Meet really means a lot to me,” said Prudhomme, who was named the No. 3 driver on the NHRA’s top 50 drivers list. “The 1962 Smokers March Meet was my first race driving a fuel car for Kent Fuller and Dave Zueschel. It was THE race to win back then and I still have my March Meet trophy, which is one of my most prized possessions. Winning that race really kick-started my driving career, so to go from an unknown racer back then to being named a Grand Marshal this year along with Tom McEwen is something that I never thought would happen. But then again, Grand Marshals are usually old, so I guess it makes sense!”
McEwen, listed at No. 16 on the NHRA’s driver’s list, added, “This is a big thrill for me. I grew up on the March Meet. It’s always been a big race and I can remember winning it back in ’72. I’m really looking forward to being there with Prudhomme. It’ll be a lot of fun.”
Now celebrating 50 years of racing, the March Meet is a three-day speedfest that enthusiasts call ‘the jewel of Nostalgia Racing.’ It attracts drag racers and spectators from around the world and also includes a hot rod car show, swap meet and vendors’ midway. Tickets: Super 3-Day Passes are now on sale at www.famosoraceway.com for $75. Individual day tickets for the event will go on sale Mar.3, but will only be available at the track. Ticket prices are $25 for Fri., Mar. 7; $30 for Sat., Mar. 8; and $30 for Sun., Mar. 9.
Auto Club members also receive a $ 2 discount off daily admission tickets by showing their cards when they purchase tickets at the track. Daily tickets for children ages 7 to 12 are $10 and kids 6 and under are free when accompanied by an adult with paid admission.
The 2008 March Meet is also the inaugural race of the Hot Rod Heritage Series, the NHRA’s new 7-race nostalgia racing series.
The Kern County Racing Association (KCRA) operates historic Auto Club Famoso Raceway (just north of Bakersfield, Calif.) and promotes a full schedule of races year round, including the world famous March Meet. Now celebrating 50 years of racing, the March Meet, Mar. 7-9, 2008, is the recognized Mecca of nostalgia drag racing. For more details, visit www.famosoraceway.com.
It’s no surprise that the March Meet, nostalgia drag racing’s premier event – and celebrating its 50th year of racing – is honoring Prudhomme and McEwen. “Both are former March Meet winners and part our rich racing lore and drag racing history,” said Blake Bowser, vice president and general manager of the Kern County Racing Association, operators of Auto Club Famoso and producers of the March Meet. “It’s an unbelievable honor to have them here as Grand Marshals. What a treat for the fans.”
“The March Meet really means a lot to me,” said Prudhomme, who was named the No. 3 driver on the NHRA’s top 50 drivers list. “The 1962 Smokers March Meet was my first race driving a fuel car for Kent Fuller and Dave Zueschel. It was THE race to win back then and I still have my March Meet trophy, which is one of my most prized possessions. Winning that race really kick-started my driving career, so to go from an unknown racer back then to being named a Grand Marshal this year along with Tom McEwen is something that I never thought would happen. But then again, Grand Marshals are usually old, so I guess it makes sense!” Two of drag racing’s greatest rivals, partners and friends – Don “the Snake” Prudhomme and Tom “the Mongoose” McEwen – have been named Grand Marshals for the upcoming March Meet (Mar. 7-9) at Auto Club Famoso Raceway, outside of Bakersfield, Calif.
It’s no surprise that the March Meet, nostalgia drag racing’s premier event – and celebrating its 50th year of racing – is honoring Prudhomme and McEwen. “Both are former March Meet winners and part our rich racing lore and drag racing history,” said Blake Bowser, vice president and general manager of the Kern County Racing Association, operators of Auto Club Famoso and producers of the March Meet. “It’s an unbelievable honor to have them here as Grand Marshals. What a treat for the fans.”
“The March Meet really means a lot to me,” said Prudhomme, who was named the No. 3 driver on the NHRA’s top 50 drivers list. “The 1962 Smokers March Meet was my first race driving a fuel car for Kent Fuller and Dave Zueschel. It was THE race to win back then and I still have my March Meet trophy, which is one of my most prized possessions. Winning that race really kick-started my driving career, so to go from an unknown racer back then to being named a Grand Marshal this year along with Tom McEwen is something that I never thought would happen. But then again, Grand Marshals are usually old, so I guess it makes sense!”
McEwen, listed at No. 16 on the NHRA’s driver’s list, added, “This is a big thrill for me. I grew up on the March Meet. It’s always been a big race and I can remember winning it back in ’72. I’m really looking forward to being there with Prudhomme. It’ll be a lot of fun.”
Now celebrating 50 years of racing, the March Meet is a three-day speedfest that enthusiasts call ‘the jewel of Nostalgia Racing.’ It attracts drag racers and spectators from around the world and also includes a hot rod car show, swap meet and vendors’ midway. Tickets: Super 3-Day Passes are now on sale at www.famosoraceway.com for $75. Individual day tickets for the event will go on sale Mar.3, but will only be available at the track. Ticket prices are $25 for Fri., Mar. 7; $30 for Sat., Mar. 8; and $30 for Sun., Mar. 9.
Auto Club members also receive a $ 2 discount off daily admission tickets by showing their cards when they purchase tickets at the track. Daily tickets for children ages 7 to 12 are $10 and kids 6 and under are free when accompanied by an adult with paid admission.
The 2008 March Meet is also the inaugural race of the Hot Rod Heritage Series, the NHRA’s new 7-race nostalgia racing series.
The Kern County Racing Association (KCRA) operates historic Auto Club Famoso Raceway (just north of Bakersfield, Calif.) and promotes a full schedule of races year round, including the world famous March Meet. Now celebrating 50 years of racing, the March Meet, Mar. 7-9, 2008, is the recognized Mecca of nostalgia drag racing. For more details, visit www.famosoraceway.com.
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