Met a Drag Racing Legend

Mike Keener · 12-19-2010, 10:37 PM

Sometimes it pays to be in the right place at the right time. Last Friday while running my golf shop in Palm Desert, CA it was just like any other day with customers coming and going until a new bad *** looking Black Mustang came rolling in to my parking lot and out of it comes this good looking slightly older guy with black hair about 6'2. Nothing unusual so far until we start talking about his golf game. The subject of his grip came about and he said he couldn't close his hand very tightly around the club. He went on to explain that he had been injured years ago in a racing accident. Naturally I asked him what kind of racing he did and when he said he was a drag racer I'm now quite obviously intrigued. He said he was a factory sponsored Ford racer back in the 60's and suffered his hand injury in a fire related incident in the early days of Funny Car which ended his career in January of 1970.

A few sentences later he told me who he was and it was none other than Gas Ronda! He said "you've heard of me"? I said hell yes I've not only heard of you I used to watch you race back at Detroit Dragway in the days of your Galaxie. The next day he came back to pick up a few clubs that I built for him and brought me some autographed photos of two of his Funny Cars, one from the Cover of the Aug 69 issue of Car Craft, but the one I will cherish forever is the one of his 64 Thunderbolt. At this point the stories between us are rolling hot and heavy and it goes without saying it was a lot of fun.

When he asked me what he owed me for the clubs I said Gas, you owe me nothing...and that without guys like you paving the way for the rest of us.. we may not have had the same sport to enjoy.

Here is a photo of me and the 84 year old Drag Racing Legend "Gas Ronda".

joe176 · 12-19-2010, 10:58 PM

Great story Mike....something you'll never forget !!!!!

Arnold Greene · 12-19-2010, 10:59 PM

Great story, Mike. I think most of us 'old guys' remember him from his tours back east. That was a great gesture, as well. When Lynn and I get out your way, maybe we can play a couple of rounds......however since you are a pro, I'll be expecting a few shots on each side!

davidhuff · 12-19-2010, 11:09 PM

Cool!

Grant Eldridge · 12-20-2010, 12:39 AM

Great post, thanks for bringing back the memories! I remember Gas Ronda driving one of the 1964 Thunderbolts that year at Arlington, Washington when I first began drag racing. Believe it was orange, gold leaf lettered and was sponsored by a West Covina Ford dealer (Russ Davis?)....I was 18, and couldn't believe how that guy could powershift that 427 dual quad four speed! It sounded like an automatic going down the track every pass. Bill Ireland also had a Thunderbolt out of Portland, Oregon that was impressive in the day. There were other "name" cars also that toured the northwest , but my memories have faded a bit. I think a few of these legendary name racers squared off against each other match race style at that time and were very cool to watch for a kid just starting out....Gas Ronda was one name I'll never forget!

bill dedman · 12-20-2010, 02:38 AM

Mike Keener is another legendary name among Stockers; his "Checkmate" cars have few equals in Stock Eliminator...

John Leichtamer Jr · 12-20-2010, 07:36 AM

Bill

Don't forget the Modified Era.
Those day were special.

Hammer

X-TECH MAN · 12-20-2010, 08:37 AM

WOW Mike.....Thats cool. I wish I could have been hanging around when he walked in. I would have recognized him right away. You and Paul are quite the Hero's also form the modified days. Watched and read all I could about you guys before Top Stock ever existed. I have been lucky to meet and get to know a few of my heros from the early days. Some sadly are no longer with us. Id have to say one of my highs of being a tech guy for over 22 years was meeting you and Paul and helped with you to make Top Stock become a reality when it did. Have a very Merry Christmas.

Ed Wright · 12-20-2010, 10:13 AM

How cool!!

Wade Mahaffey · 12-20-2010, 10:51 AM

Mike, great story and your price was right. I'm sure the gifts from Gas was more to you than your time on the clubs. If you like the behind the scenes drag racing history, go to this site: www.dragracersreunion.ning.com there you can listen to the real stories from the real stars themselves. The live radio shows air on M-W-F at 7pm. all of the shows are archived, so you can go back and listen to Gas Ronda,Tasca,Leal,Garlits,Prodoume,Sox&Martin,Jenkins,Beswick and many others tell the real stories....how it all happened....you won't believe the history lesson that awaits you my friend.

Wade Mahaffey

12-19-2010, 10:37 PM	#1
Mike Keener Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 294 Likes: 102 Liked 24 Times in 13 Posts	Met a Drag Racing Legend Sometimes it pays to be in the right place at the right time. Last Friday while running my golf shop in Palm Desert, CA it was just like any other day with customers coming and going until a new bad *** looking Black Mustang came rolling in to my parking lot and out of it comes this good looking slightly older guy with black hair about 6'2. Nothing unusual so far until we start talking about his golf game. The subject of his grip came about and he said he couldn't close his hand very tightly around the club. He went on to explain that he had been injured years ago in a racing accident. Naturally I asked him what kind of racing he did and when he said he was a drag racer I'm now quite obviously intrigued. He said he was a factory sponsored Ford racer back in the 60's and suffered his hand injury in a fire related incident in the early days of Funny Car which ended his career in January of 1970. A few sentences later he told me who he was and it was none other than Gas Ronda! He said "you've heard of me"? I said hell yes I've not only heard of you I used to watch you race back at Detroit Dragway in the days of your Galaxie. The next day he came back to pick up a few clubs that I built for him and brought me some autographed photos of two of his Funny Cars, one from the Cover of the Aug 69 issue of Car Craft, but the one I will cherish forever is the one of his 64 Thunderbolt. At this point the stories between us are rolling hot and heavy and it goes without saying it was a lot of fun. When he asked me what he owed me for the clubs I said Gas, you owe me nothing...and that without guys like you paving the way for the rest of us.. we may not have had the same sport to enjoy. Here is a photo of me and the 84 year old Drag Racing Legend "Gas Ronda". Attached Thumbnails __________________ Mike Keener A/S B/S C/SM Last edited by Mike Keener; 12-19-2010 at 10:43 PM. Reason: extra words

12-19-2010, 10:58 PM	#2
joe176 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NY Posts: 601 Likes: 36 Liked 41 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend Great story Mike....something you'll never forget !!!!! __________________ Joe Franco SS176

12-19-2010, 10:59 PM	#3
Arnold Greene Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 136 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend Great story, Mike. I think most of us 'old guys' remember him from his tours back east. That was a great gesture, as well. When Lynn and I get out your way, maybe we can play a couple of rounds......however since you are a pro, I'll be expecting a few shots on each side! __________________ Arnold Greene IHRA/NHRA 2420 A/S, B/S

12-19-2010, 11:09 PM	#4
davidhuff Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 928 Likes: 1 Liked 120 Times in 42 Posts	Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend Cool!

12-20-2010, 12:39 AM	#5
Grant Eldridge Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 124 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend Great post, thanks for bringing back the memories! I remember Gas Ronda driving one of the 1964 Thunderbolts that year at Arlington, Washington when I first began drag racing. Believe it was orange, gold leaf lettered and was sponsored by a West Covina Ford dealer (Russ Davis?)....I was 18, and couldn't believe how that guy could powershift that 427 dual quad four speed! It sounded like an automatic going down the track every pass. Bill Ireland also had a Thunderbolt out of Portland, Oregon that was impressive in the day. There were other "name" cars also that toured the northwest , but my memories have faded a bit. I think a few of these legendary name racers squared off against each other match race style at that time and were very cool to watch for a kid just starting out....Gas Ronda was one name I'll never forget!

12-20-2010, 02:38 AM	#6
bill dedman VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Conway, AR Posts: 1,739 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend Mike Keener is another legendary name among Stockers; his "Checkmate" cars have few equals in Stock Eliminator... __________________ Bill

12-20-2010, 07:36 AM	#7
John Leichtamer Jr Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Orange City Fl Posts: 764 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend Bill Don't forget the Modified Era. Those day were special. Hammer

12-20-2010, 08:37 AM	#8
X-TECH MAN Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lake Placid, Florida Posts: 3,203 Likes: 1,047 Liked 235 Times in 110 Posts	Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend WOW Mike.....Thats cool. I wish I could have been hanging around when he walked in. I would have recognized him right away. You and Paul are quite the Hero's also form the modified days. Watched and read all I could about you guys before Top Stock ever existed. I have been lucky to meet and get to know a few of my heros from the early days. Some sadly are no longer with us. Id have to say one of my highs of being a tech guy for over 22 years was meeting you and Paul and helped with you to make Top Stock become a reality when it did. Have a very Merry Christmas. Last edited by X-TECH MAN; 12-20-2010 at 08:44 AM.

12-20-2010, 10:13 AM	#9
Ed Wright Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 8,132 Likes: 896 Liked 390 Times in 170 Posts	Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend How cool!! __________________ Ed Wright 4156 SS/JA

12-20-2010, 10:51 AM	#10
Wade Mahaffey Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 581 Likes: 0 Liked 18 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend Mike, great story and your price was right. I'm sure the gifts from Gas was more to you than your time on the clubs. If you like the behind the scenes drag racing history, go to this site: www.dragracersreunion.ning.com there you can listen to the real stories from the real stars themselves. The live radio shows air on M-W-F at 7pm. all of the shows are archived, so you can go back and listen to Gas Ronda,Tasca,Leal,Garlits,Prodoume,Sox&Martin,Jenkins,Beswick and many others tell the real stories....how it all happened....you won't believe the history lesson that awaits you my friend. Wade Mahaffey