So, who is Lonnie Grim

1347 · 05-11-2021, 09:48 AM

The first part to making an impact for S/SS racers would be to be approachable and listen to concerns that the racers have. I'm not sure how you would filter that from people having personal agendas. Sometimes what I hear is thats the problem to why we got where we did today.

RJ Sledge · 05-11-2021, 10:21 AM

Have known and worked with him at Engine Masters Challenge (along with Wesely Roberson and Adger Smith) for several years. Very knowledgeable and I wish him well.

RJ

340Cuda · 05-11-2021, 10:30 AM

He has worked on Hot Rod's Drag Week for many years and is a stand up guy.

Robin Lawrence · 05-11-2021, 11:02 AM

So I wanted to wait a moment to see the trend of this post before jumping in. Haha. I have worked with Lonnie from an event perspective to a racer at events where he has been Tech Director. From the NMRA and NMCA to various other smaller produced series. He has also worked for us at Holley at our consumer focused LS, MOPAR and Ford Events. A few of those he was our Drag Race Director.

Lonnie brings a great wealth or experience and knowledge to his position at NHRA. I am going to miss Jeff Conley as he has moved to safety at NHRA.

I have always found Lonnie to be approachable and willing to listen to the issue before making judgement. When he does he explains why he made the call on a rule.

When I first started to race at the NHRA Division level and then later at National events I was disappointed by the attitude from many of the tech staff that I encountered. It was a real departure to the staff at the NMRA and NMCA that I had been racing. The lack of support and the “you should know before you come here” was hard to swallow. I was able to identify those who were willing to answer my dumb questions and it became a lot easier. Still I think that the attitude that was pervasive at that time came from a higher place. Hopefully the changes over the past several years can shift that attitude towards the Sportsman Racers.

I want to be clear, NHRA needs new racers and staff that will understand that their model is changing. I think that many that I deal with understand this. I believe that adding someone like Lonnie Grimm will take relations with the Sportsman Racers on the path that NHRA needs to travel.

My focus in my current position at Holley is the Sportsman Racers. My hope is that we can break some old habits and attract new racers and sponsors.

Robin

Brett C · 05-11-2021, 11:12 AM

Great addition to the NHRA team!

Adger Smith · 05-11-2021, 12:14 PM

IMHO the Sportsman classes could be in good shape if Lonnie is able to draw on the Experienced staff he has. Wesley, Dave, Travis just to mention a few.
I recommended Lonnie replace me when I had to retired from Drag Week due to My Dad's care situation. I worked closely with him doing the rules and Tech at Engine Masters for 5 years. I always had a good relationship with him and I always thought he made sound decisions.
Being a couple of Arkansas residents I have been able to watch Lonnie grow up in this sport/industry. I'm glad he has reach this milestone and hope the "suits" at NHRA keep him around a while.

dsaitz · 05-11-2021, 04:27 PM

Lonnie is a great guy, and fair. I've dealt with him on Hot Rod Drag Week for 4 years and at NMRA/NMCA.

K Stubbs · 05-11-2021, 09:13 PM

I have been friends with Lonnie for many years, as we live in the same town. The Grims (Lonnie and JD-his father) let me park my semi trailer at their shop while I am at home. Lonnie is extremely talented and I would say is a perfectionist in his own right on everything he does. I do not believe there is a more “Fair” person around than Lonnie is. We had a discussion a couple of weeks ago on his new position and although I do not race anymore, I truly believe he will be a great asset to NHRA class racing, with his previous experience in sportsman racing (S/C, S/G) and having won in both Nationally and Divisionally. He is one of the smartest people I know and can do about anything. He’s an excellent fabricator as well and has always been around people who know and hold the sport to a very high standard.

I believe you guys will be very happy with him.

05-11-2021, 09:48 AM	#1
1347 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Monroe Twp NJ Posts: 506 Likes: 1,041 Liked 998 Times in 276 Posts	Re: So, who is Lonnie Grim The first part to making an impact for S/SS racers would be to be approachable and listen to concerns that the racers have. I'm not sure how you would filter that from people having personal agendas. Sometimes what I hear is thats the problem to why we got where we did today. __________________ Duane Hoven 1342 SS/GT

05-11-2021, 10:21 AM	#2
RJ Sledge Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 783 Likes: 503 Liked 288 Times in 90 Posts	Re: So, who is Lonnie Grim Have known and worked with him at Engine Masters Challenge (along with Wesely Roberson and Adger Smith) for several years. Very knowledgeable and I wish him well. RJ

05-11-2021, 10:30 AM	#3
340Cuda VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 1,672 Likes: 3,866 Liked 802 Times in 339 Posts	Re: So, who is Lonnie Grim He has worked on Hot Rod's Drag Week for many years and is a stand up guy.

05-11-2021, 11:02 AM	#4
Robin Lawrence Sponsor Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Galesburg IL. Posts: 177 Likes: 252 Liked 714 Times in 120 Posts	Re: So, who is Lonnie Grim So I wanted to wait a moment to see the trend of this post before jumping in. Haha. I have worked with Lonnie from an event perspective to a racer at events where he has been Tech Director. From the NMRA and NMCA to various other smaller produced series. He has also worked for us at Holley at our consumer focused LS, MOPAR and Ford Events. A few of those he was our Drag Race Director. Lonnie brings a great wealth or experience and knowledge to his position at NHRA. I am going to miss Jeff Conley as he has moved to safety at NHRA. I have always found Lonnie to be approachable and willing to listen to the issue before making judgement. When he does he explains why he made the call on a rule. When I first started to race at the NHRA Division level and then later at National events I was disappointed by the attitude from many of the tech staff that I encountered. It was a real departure to the staff at the NMRA and NMCA that I had been racing. The lack of support and the “you should know before you come here” was hard to swallow. I was able to identify those who were willing to answer my dumb questions and it became a lot easier. Still I think that the attitude that was pervasive at that time came from a higher place. Hopefully the changes over the past several years can shift that attitude towards the Sportsman Racers. I want to be clear, NHRA needs new racers and staff that will understand that their model is changing. I think that many that I deal with understand this. I believe that adding someone like Lonnie Grimm will take relations with the Sportsman Racers on the path that NHRA needs to travel. My focus in my current position at Holley is the Sportsman Racers. My hope is that we can break some old habits and attract new racers and sponsors. Robin __________________ STK 308 SS 3088

05-11-2021, 11:12 AM	#5
Brett C VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Thibodaux, LA Posts: 1,195 Likes: 327 Liked 1,018 Times in 217 Posts	Re: So, who is Lonnie Grim Great addition to the NHRA team! __________________ Brett Candies 4192 Stock/SS God Bless America

05-11-2021, 12:14 PM	#6
Adger Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Texarkana Ark/TX Posts: 2,446 Likes: 575 Liked 880 Times in 311 Posts	Re: So, who is Lonnie Grim IMHO the Sportsman classes could be in good shape if Lonnie is able to draw on the Experienced staff he has. Wesley, Dave, Travis just to mention a few. I recommended Lonnie replace me when I had to retired from Drag Week due to My Dad's care situation. I worked closely with him doing the rules and Tech at Engine Masters for 5 years. I always had a good relationship with him and I always thought he made sound decisions. Being a couple of Arkansas residents I have been able to watch Lonnie grow up in this sport/industry. I'm glad he has reach this milestone and hope the "suits" at NHRA keep him around a while. __________________ Adger Smith (Former SS)

05-11-2021, 04:27 PM	#7
dsaitz Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 4 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 1 Post	Re: So, who is Lonnie Grim Lonnie is a great guy, and fair. I've dealt with him on Hot Rod Drag Week for 4 years and at NMRA/NMCA.

05-11-2021, 09:13 PM	#8
K Stubbs Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Benton, Arkansas Posts: 402 Likes: 0 Liked 20 Times in 3 Posts	Re: So, who is Lonnie Grim I have been friends with Lonnie for many years, as we live in the same town. The Grims (Lonnie and JD-his father) let me park my semi trailer at their shop while I am at home. Lonnie is extremely talented and I would say is a perfectionist in his own right on everything he does. I do not believe there is a more “Fair” person around than Lonnie is. We had a discussion a couple of weeks ago on his new position and although I do not race anymore, I truly believe he will be a great asset to NHRA class racing, with his previous experience in sportsman racing (S/C, S/G) and having won in both Nationally and Divisionally. He is one of the smartest people I know and can do about anything. He’s an excellent fabricator as well and has always been around people who know and hold the sport to a very high standard. I believe you guys will be very happy with him.