BOB DANIELS died June 30th. He was Auto Racing Promoter of the Year in 1988, recognized for his management at Indianapolis (IN) Raceway Park, the National Hot Rod Association’s flagship facility, home of the U.S. Nationals. Before that, he was one of NHRA’s original seven Division Directors. Bob served in the Navy in the Korean conflict. He, and his wife Eileen, built their first hot rods shortly after they were married, and eventually co-drove the same C/Altered dragster. Racing lead them to make the acquaintance of Wally Parks, and the decision to join his fledgling NHRA organization and the original Safety Safari, touring the U.S. organizing the sport, moving it from the streets to the closed courses at airports and newly built strips. As North Central Division Director, Daniels was instrumental in construction of a half dozen Midwestern dragstrips. He oversaw the evolution of the U.S. Nationals from a cult event into drag racing’s Daytona 500. Daniels managed IRP, one of the country’s most challenging multi-track venues, with its road course, 5/8-mile oval, and dragstrip. In 1981, he brought the NASCAR Busch Series to IRP’s 5/8-mile. The race continues today as the cornerstone of the August Kroger race weekend. Bob played a key role in saving the Heavy Cruiser USS Salem, on which he served, from the scrapping, moving to an honorary berth in the town where she was built--Quincy, MA. He and Eileen also organized the National Hot Rod Reunion at National Trail (OH) Raceway and worked closely with NHRA colleagues, active and retired, to preserve the history of drag racing as they designed the museum and exhibits at the Wally Parks Motorsports Museum, at the Fairplex at Pomona. Bob was a man unquestionably loyal to NHRA who held his passion for drag racing to his last hour. We extend our condolences to Eileen, the Daniels family, and NHRA colleagues.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Bob Daniels, 1988 Auto Racing Promoter of the Year
BOB DANIELS died June 30th. He was Auto Racing Promoter of the Year in 1988, recognized for his management at Indianapolis (IN) Raceway Park, the National Hot Rod Association’s flagship facility, home of the U.S. Nationals. Before that, he was one of NHRA’s original seven Division Directors. Bob served in the Navy in the Korean conflict. He, and his wife Eileen, built their first hot rods shortly after they were married, and eventually co-drove the same C/Altered dragster. Racing lead them to make the acquaintance of Wally Parks, and the decision to join his fledgling NHRA organization and the original Safety Safari, touring the U.S. organizing the sport, moving it from the streets to the closed courses at airports and newly built strips. As North Central Division Director, Daniels was instrumental in construction of a half dozen Midwestern dragstrips. He oversaw the evolution of the U.S. Nationals from a cult event into drag racing’s Daytona 500. Daniels managed IRP, one of the country’s most challenging multi-track venues, with its road course, 5/8-mile oval, and dragstrip. In 1981, he brought the NASCAR Busch Series to IRP’s 5/8-mile. The race continues today as the cornerstone of the August Kroger race weekend. Bob played a key role in saving the Heavy Cruiser USS Salem, on which he served, from the scrapping, moving to an honorary berth in the town where she was built--Quincy, MA. He and Eileen also organized the National Hot Rod Reunion at National Trail (OH) Raceway and worked closely with NHRA colleagues, active and retired, to preserve the history of drag racing as they designed the museum and exhibits at the Wally Parks Motorsports Museum, at the Fairplex at Pomona. Bob was a man unquestionably loyal to NHRA who held his passion for drag racing to his last hour. We extend our condolences to Eileen, the Daniels family, and NHRA colleagues.
