The Lyn St. James Foundation
recognized the late Barbara Parks’ achievements in the world of NHRA drag racing
today by presenting the Mildred Marcum Pioneer Award in her honor during the
fourth annual Women in the Winner’s Circle luncheon at Indianapolis Motor
Speedway.
Mrs. Parks, wife of NHRA founder Wally Parks and a driving force
behind the early successes of the 54-year-old sanctioning body, succumbed to
cancer in late January after a long battle with the devastating illness. In
contrast to the many women who take the much deserved spotlight as a result of
their untiring efforts to contribute to the progress of automotive hobbies and
racing, Mrs. Parks, by her own choice remained in the background. But she was a
force — an important, determined and very creative influence — in the earliest
days of the founding of hot rodding and, of course, the National Hot Rod
Association and championship drag racing.
She was active to the end, remaining at her husband’s side as he
pursued with painstaking effectiveness the efficient operation of an NHRA
museum, a monument to the sport’s illustrious history and a showcase of the
archival record of NHRA drag racing. Many of the features showcased in the
museum, now named for its founder as The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum,
are the product of Barbara’s vision, creativeness and talents.