Sox & Martin Pro-Stocker on Display at Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion
Legendary Car will be in Holley Booth during 3-day event, June 15-17
http://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCStory.asp?ID=134340
HEBRON, Ohio -- The NHRA Hot Rod Reunions are all about honoring those who helped contribute to the sport in its Golden Age. So it's no surprise that Holley, the title sponsor of the Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, presented by SoffSeal, is honoring the late Ronnie Sox (the driving half of the famous Sox & Martin drag racing team) during the 3- day event. Holley will have the legendary Sox & Martin Plymouth Duster Pro Stocker (restored by "Hemi Fred" Ristagno), the one that conquered the strip in the early-1970s, in its booth during the event, June 15-17 at National Trail Raceway near Columbus, Ohio.
"It's the original '72 Duster later updated to the '73 model," said Holley's Bill Tichenor. "It's the only S&M Duster team car built by the S&M shop." (Editor's note: details on the car's restoration is available at prostockhemi.com.)
According to Tichenor, a Sox & Martin car is featured on Holley's current Hooker Headers catalog with the words: "In memory of Ronnie Sox - 1938-2006." Tichenor also said that Holley is donating money to a charity set up by Diane Sox, Ronnie's widow (who may do a run in Columbus in the Sox & Martin Plymouth: she's already taking lessons at Frank Hawley's Drag Racing School).
"It's called the Ronnie Sox Foundation and the proceeds go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.," said Diane Sox. "The foundation is set up to help children with cancer. We here at Holley are proud to support Diane and the foundation. Sox & Martin were longtime Hooker Header supporters and we'll never forget Ronnie."
So far she's raised more than $100,000 for the hospital.
Those wishing to make donations can do so online at www.ronniesox.com or by mail to the Ronnie Sox Foundation, c/o Diane Sox, 1673 Independence Ct., Richmond, Va. 23238.
Sox & Martin were honored with the Board of Directors Award at the 2005 Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion.
The 5th annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, presented by SoffSeal, June 15-17 at National Trail Raceway near Columbus, Ohio, is a 3- day festival of speed, hot rods and American automotive enthusiasm. Produced by and benefiting the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, the Reunion is part of the museum's Hot Rod Heritage Series which works to bring to life the sights, sounds and people who made history in the early days of drag racing, land speed racing and the golden age of American car culture.
Unique among motorsports events, the Reunion honors some of the top names in hot rodding from the past and features a fabulous array of cool drag cars, street rods, classics, customs and muscle cars of the historic and present-day hot rod eras.
Credentials are now available for the Reunion by calling 800/884-6472 or through an application on the Museum's Web site at http://www.museum.nhra.com. A 3-day credential is $55. Those purchasing their credentials before May 25 receive significant added value, including Saturday's Heacock Classic Insurance Pit Pass Barbecue, a "goodie" bag, a limited edition, collectible Reunion program, a dash plaque and a souvenir credential. A 3-day junior credential is also available for $10 and includes the barbecue. Daily general admission tickets/pit passes will be available at the National Trail Raceway gate, 2650 National Rd. SW, Hebron, Ohio 43025; phone: 740/928-5706; http://www.nationaltrailraceway.com. Cost per person: Friday, $20; Saturday, $20; Sunday, $15. Children 15 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.
The Reunion features a wide variety of activities and events, including:
Hot Heads Eliminator NHRA vintage drag racing, featuring some the sport's most famous and historic cars and drivers, racing in such classes at Top Fuel, Supercharged Gassers, classic Funny Cars and Super Stocks.
SoffSeal Street rod "show and shine" with thousands of gleaming pre-1972 hot rods, street rods, custom cars, classics and muscle cars. "Memory Lane" will have a display of nostalgic race cars.
Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion Reception, held at the Columbus Airport Marriott, Fri., June 15 from 7 p.m.- 10 p.m. Open to everyone at no charge, it's a tribute to the Reunion's Grand Marshal and Honorees and a chance for fans to meet some of drag racing's heroes. Grand Marshal for the event will be Jeg Coughlin. This year's honorees are John Abbott, Don Cain, Ted Harbit, Fred Hurst, and the team of Gary Rupp and Pat Dakin. The Justice Bros. Reunion Spotlight highlights Frank Hawley.
Heacock Classic Insurance Pit Pass Barbeque on Saturday afternoon, June 16.
Cacklefest on Saturday evening, where nitro-burning historic, front- engine top-fuel dragsters and other classic race cars are push started just like in the "old days."
The Swap meet and Reunion Midway are filled with manufacturer exhibits and demonstrations.
Information, including a full activities schedule, entry forms and tickets, is available through the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum at http://www.museum.nhra.com. Requests can be emailed to themuseum@nhra.com.
Proceeds of the Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion directly benefit the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, Calif. The museum houses the very roots of hot rodding. Scores of famous vehicles spanning American motorsports history are on display, including winning cars representing 50 years of drag racing, dry lakes and salt-flat racers, oval track challengers and exhibits describing their colorful backgrounds.
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