DI Hall of of Fame
2022 Inductees
2022 Inductees
Since the beginning , Drag Illustrated has focused on highlighting the efforts of the newsmakers , the trendsetters , and the rising stars of drag racing . The sport ’ s legends have also appeared on the cover and on the pages of this magazine , though there ’ s always been a focus on what ’ s happening now and what ’ s to come , rather than an emphasis on days gone by .
However , we also believe strongly in paying tribute to the people who paved the way for the sport to reach its currently high levels . In a nod to those men and women , we ’ ve created the Drag Illustrated Hall of Fame , which will become an ongoing effort to recognize the efforts of those who built the sport from the ground up .
The first five inductees – the Class of 2022 – are some of the biggest names in drag racing . In fact , they ’ re probably known by people with even a surface-level knowledge of the sport . Some of them have passed on , while others continue to make an impact .
Don ‘ The Snake ’ Prudhomme & Tom ‘ The Mongoose ’ McEwen
Simply put , Don Prudhomme and Tom McEwen are synonymous as a tandem . “ Snake ” and “ Mongoose ” changed the course of drag racing , both on and off the track , and they did it together . You can ’ t mention Prudhomme without including McEwen , and you can ’ t discuss the “ Mongoose ” without throwing in his greatest rival , Don “ Snake ” Prudhomme .
On the track , it was Prudhomme who achieved the greater success as a driver , winning four world championships in Funny Car and racking up 49 career victories , including 35 in Funny Car in a time where there were far less events .
His cool , calm and collected natured made him revered in the sport , recognized as one of the top wheelmen in drag racing history as he collected wins , set records and later enjoyed incredible successful as a team owner in the nitro classes .
McEwen , meanwhile , could never match that success , though he had his moments . He earned five NHRA victories , including an awe-inspiring win at the 1978 U . S . Nationals over Prudhomme in the final round , just days after the death of his son , Jamie .
McEwen , who tragically passed away in 2018 , never won a world championship in his NHRA racing career , but he was instrumental to the sport in other ways . He was chiefly responsible for drag racing getting the attention of corporate America , and became a legend for his notable skills off the track , obtaining the groundbreaking Mattel / Hot Wheels sponsorship that put the sport on a different course .
He charted that new trajectory with Prudhomme , and the two fierce competitors became arguably the sport ’ s biggest and most important rivals , taking the sport to heights some may have never thought possible . – JOSH HACHAT DI
PHOTOS : NHRA , JASON SHARP
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