History of the Mafia

They say that some things run in your blood and that is how it is with drag racing and hot rodding in my family. As long as I can remember I can recall hearing stories of my dad running up and down the dragstrip and streets of Kansas City. I have some pretty big footprints to try to follow in. Back in the days of my dad’s glory the kings of the sport were just getting started. Many of the big names in the sport came from KC or spent time making history here.

Guys like Grumpy Jenkins, Al Vanderwoude, Kimball Brothers and Hill, and Dick Harrell were big names and tough competition for guys like my dad. The AHRA was the showcase for all the big names of that day. And my dad was the Street Eliminator Champion in 1968 with his ’55 Chevy. So I was destined to have hot rodding running in my blood. I can still remember holding my dad’s hand and wading through the sea of people at the SummerNationals right here at Kansas City International Raceway. Watching racers fighting their way to drag racing fame. ‘Big Daddy’ Don Garlits, Shirley Muldowney, Don Pruddohmes’ Pepsi Challenger, Gene Snow, Roland Leong’s Hawaiian Punch Car, Doc Haladay, Tom Hoover’s ShowTime, Tom ‘the Mongoose’ McEwen, and some struggling  trucker named John ‘Brute’ Force. But I can remember those days so well. And I can remember thinking “what if I could drive a hot rod like that someday. So I decided to put my dad’s favorite saying to the test… "If you think you can, you can”. And like usual (but don’t tell him) he was right. So here are a few pictures from the past. And I’d like to say a huge thanks to my Dad for all of his support and guidance… ok… and his patience in dealing with some of my crazy ideas. Without his belief in me and encouragement I would never have had the confidence to chase this dream. But even when I could tell he thought my ideas were a bit unconventional or off the wall... I could ALWAYS count on him to be right there behind me cheering me on and helping me to do my best. Thanks for everything Dad…. You’re the Greatest!