International Drag Racing Hall Of Fame Announces 2014 Inductees

A fresh class of inductees will be welcomed into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame this coming March just before the NHRA Amalie Oil Gatornationals. In case you are in town, the induction ceremony will be held at the Paramount Plaza Hotel and Suites on Thursday, March 14, and there will be quite a few of the most important people in drag racing in attendance.

Here’s a breakdown on the IDRHoF’s class of 2014:

John Abbott (Denver, Colorado) — Abbott was a highly popular top fuel driver from the early 1960s into the 1980s who successfully transitioned the somewhat difficult conversion from the front engine Top Fuel cars to the rear engine cars.  The highlight of his career was marked by winning the NHRA’s (National Hot Rod Association) most prestigious event, the U.S. Nationals.

Al Bergler (Shelby Township, Michigan) — Al Bergler has been a hot rodder at heart throughout his adult life, racing cars and shaping sheet metal to create some of the most memorable appearing race cars in the sport.  His Competition Coupe, the beautiful yellow “More Aggravation,” is the only race car to win the Detroit Autorama’s Riddler Award in its 49 year history.

Frank Hawley (Newberry, Florida) — Hawley, the Canadian Top Fuel and Funny Car star, took the famed Farkonas, Coil & Minik “Chi-Town Hustler” fuel Funny Car team to back-to-back NHRA Funny Car World Championships in 1982 and 1983.  Hawley was later tabbed by Jerry and Darryl Gywnn to replace Darryl in the cockpit after his accident in the family’s Top Fuel car.  He currently operates the Frank Hawley School of Drag Racing which has trained thousands of racers.

Tom Hoover (Maple Grove, Minnesota) — Tom Hoover and the “Showtime” Funny Cars were highly popular with fans.  Tom was the driver element of the Hoover family racing operation, with his father George (“Pa”) doing the tuning, and Ruth (“Ma”) always present to do what needed to be done.  Across a 30-plus year career, Tom (and his parents) captured five NHRA Funny Car wins, and the AHRA (American Hot Rod Association) World Championship in 1976.

Warren Johnson (Buford, Georgia)  — Warren Johnson acquired the nickname of “The Professor” over his career in the NHRA and IHRA Pro Stock class.  A dogged, determined and crafty practioner of the art of engine building, chassis and clutch tuning, Johnson’s 97 Pro Stock wins and six NHRA World Championships, and two IHRA (International Hot Rod Association)  Mountain Motor World Championships made him the most successful Pro Stock racer in the sport’s history.

Forrest Lucas (Corona, California) – Lucas, through his Lucas Oil Products company, has become one of motorsports’ greatest modern day supporters.  He has utilized motorsports marketing, and particularly drag racing, to build brand awareness of his company’s extensive line of lubricants.  He is at the drag strip as frequently as his busy schedule allows, supporting his wife Charlotte’s Super Comp class dragster and son Morgan’s two car Top Fuel team.