The media turned out in force to document an unprecedented gathering of greats: (L-R) Blackie Gejeian, Chuck Griffith, Mike Jones, C.J. Hart, Don Rackemann, moderator Dave McClelland, Harry Hibler, Lou Senter, Steve Gibbs. (Photo by Chris Ouellette/Good Communications)

In stark contrast to Pomona’s original track manager, Chuck Griffith, and longtime-NHRA-official Gibbs sat legendary pains-in-the-ass Louie Senter (Saugus), Harry Hibler (San Fernando), Blackie Gegeian (Fresno), and Don Rackemann (Fontana, Riverside). All operated one or more outlaw strips that proudly violated NHRA policy on a weekly basis.

Rackemann, who started out as the Saugus starter in 1951, also did time as a “chicken-blower” (i.e., advertising salesman) for and publisher of Drag News, the 1955-78 tabloid that was more critical of NHRA policies and Wally Parks, personally, than any other publication—and was more successful than National Dragster into the 1970s. To this day, more than a quarter-century after the newspaper’s demise under Rackemann’s mismanagement, Parks has neither forgotten nor forgiven Drag News (unless it’s mere coincidence that Wally’s private e-mail address, spelled backwards, reads “dragnewskrap”). More irony: Parks himself was in the audience, and ultimately made an unscheduled trip to the podium—to reinforce his oft-stated contention that the infamous Fuel Ban was initiated not by NHRA, but by a group of southern California drag strips. The audience was respectful, if seemingly unconvinced.

Two decades of infamous Blackie Gejeian promotions included four-abreast AA/FD match races at his ultrawide Fresno, Calif., facility. Here, Steve Gibbs helps unfurl photographic proof. (Photo by Chris Ouellette/Good Communications)

Gejeian’s two decades of innovative promotions included four-abreast matches of fuel dragsters and jet cars. Obviously suspecting that the subject would come up, Blackie brought along a black-and-white enlargement of four mid-Sixties fuelers blasting off, which he unfurled to great applause. He also recalled Fresno’s first “car-burning” (courtesy of jet-jockey Doug Rose), which resulted in damage to an entire fleet of school buses parked adjacent to his track.

A question-and-answer segment and autograph session extended the event well beyond its scheduled conclusion. Visible at the edge of the speakers’ platform are copies of Bob McClurg’s new CarTech history book, which were presented to the panelists (and went on sale at the museum).(Photo by Chris Ouellette/Good Communications)

What sent the Applause-O-Meter right off the deep end was C.J. Hart’s introduction. Days shy of his 93rd birthday, the founder of the first commercial drag strip (Santa Ana) and manager of the best one (Lions) went on to crack up the crowd with answers to questions from moderator Dave McClelland, his fellow panelists, and audience members. “Pappy” also contributed the most-emotional moments when he thanked everyone in the room for making him feel so special, and paid tribute to his late wife and partner, Peggy.