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!”