LAST SURVIVING MEMBER OF GORDIE BONIN'S 1970S FUNNY CAR TEAM PASSES
Steven Edward Hutcheson, 81, the last surviving Gordie Bonin's 1979 U.S. Nationals championship team member, has died. He passed at 8:15 AM, July 11, 2024, at the home of his son, Ted Chavarria, and Rita Chavarria, his daughter-in-law, following a brave battle with cancer.
According to Ted, Hutcheson mostly answered to the nickname "Sudsy," namely for his love of beer.
Hutcheson worked with Bonin's Pacemaker, Bubble Up, and Flo-Rite teams the entire time. He also did a stint in offshore boats, notably working for the Miss Budweiser team. He also worked with the alcohol teams of Bucky Austin and Stan Sipos.
Hutcheson closed out his wrenching career, working for five races with his son Ted on Mitch Stott's Pro Modified team.