Tom McEwen

[743 roadmasterParticipant]

https://www.motorsport.com/nhra/news/nhra-legend-tom-the-mongoose-mcewen-dies-aged-81-1045718/

One of the most iconic figures in NHRA history, Tom McEwen, died yesterday aged 81.

McEwen won just five NHRA races yet helped elevate the sport’s status when he came up with the idea of building a rivalry with Don ‘The Snake’ Prudhomme by acquiring the moniker of ‘The Mongoose’. By 1970, the idea had earned the pair sponsorship from Mattel Hot Wheels and they’d become household names to anyone interested in motorsport.

McEwen first began racing in 1953, driving ‘stock’ Oldsmobiles at Santa Ana Dragstrip in Irvine, Calif., and Lions Dragstrip in Long Beach, but he rapidly moved up to dragsters.

———One of sports starter rivalries the snake and the mongoose. Tom was the mongoose part of the show. Started out when a guy could go buy a car with a little wrench time have a race car.

Stuff I grew up on. Rest in Peace Tom.

mgtow is its own worst enemy- https://www.campusreform.org/

[SH3LLZParticipant 5569]

RIP to a great man. I was watching the Monaco F1 race the other day. What an awesome sport….

If I couldve done anything other than my current career, It wouldve been racing or fighter pilot.

#ICETHEMOUT!!! #MANOUT!!! #HIDEYOURWEALTH #VAGINAISWORTHLESS

[Daryll55Participant 2967]

yep, seen him and the “snake” a few times at the track. The 70’s was back when funny cars were called “funny” because of the way they looked and acted. Many times they would get a lil “wiggly” going down the track making them quite a bit of a challenge to drive.
After the Mongoose & Snake,” it was Bob Glidden dominating Pro-Stock in his Ford. The big deal was just WHO was going to be able to catch him.

With the passing of Icons such as Tom McEwen i feel a little older and more mortal. Time moves on ,…..

Marry again, Hell NO ! ( Even JESUS was hung on a cross just once)

[BernieParticipant 254]

Prudhomme, hot rod mag was great! Along with smokey yunick’s power techniques and books. Had a few back in the day. Sorry to hear about McEwen RIP.

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