Funeral services for Johnny Loper, a former Funny Car
owner for drivers including national event winner Tripp Shumake, a former gasser
pilot, and current speed shop operator, will be held later this week in Arizona.
Loper, who had been in the speed shop business for 40 years and still maintained
two stores, died Sept. 23. He was 70.
The Loper-owned "Lil’ Hoss" series
of Funny Cars were some the nation’s best from the late ‘70s to the early ‘80s.
The Arizona-based car was one the first into the fives with Eddie Pauling
driving. This success continued when Shumake took over the wheel of the Plymouth
Arrow.
Funeral services for Johnny Loper, a former Funny Car
owner for drivers including national event winner Tripp Shumake, a former gasser
pilot, and current speed shop operator, will be held later this week in Arizona.
Loper, who had been in the speed shop business for 40 years and still maintained
two stores, died Sept. 23. He was 70.
The Loper-owned "Lil’ Hoss" series
of Funny Cars were some the nation’s best from the late ‘70s to the early ‘80s.
The Arizona-based car was one the first into the fives with Eddie Pauling
driving. This success continued when Shumake took over the wheel of the Plymouth
Arrow.
In 1978, Shumake and Loper finished fourth in the NHRA Funny Car
standings and seventh in 1979. Shumake won his first NHRA national event title
in Atlanta during the 1981 NHRA Southern Nationals. His 5.98 qualifying time
made him the eighth and final member of the Cragar Five Second Funny Car
Club.
Loper and Shumake raced together into the 1982 season until Loper
ran short of cash after adding a Top Fueler to the team.
The viewing
will be held Sept. 29 at Whitney & Murphy, 48th Street and Indian School
Road in Phoenix, from 1-9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Sept. 30,
at Scottsdale Bible Church, 7601 E. Shea, in Scottsdale, Ariz., at 2:30
p.m.
Loper is survived by his wife Margaret, sons John Jr. and James,
daughter Teresa, and brother Cecil.
