Drag racer dies at March Meet

Bakersfield Californian ^ | 3/8/08 | staff

[umgud]

Nostalgia Top Fuel driver John Shoemaker from Sacramento was pronounced dead Saturday afternoon after being airlifted to Kern Medical Center following an accident during qualifying at the 50th March Meet at Auto Club Famoso Raceway.

Shoemaker, 65, reportedly ran off the end of the racing surface during the opening run of Session 2 qualifying, which started at 12:41 p.m.

[umgud]

Sad news for us Boomers into darg racing.

[A CA Guy]

It’s a dangerous sport.

[the invisib1e hand]

Wasn't his nick "Dandy Don" or something like that?

Wow, still pulling wheelies at 65? Died doing what he loves? Nothing wrong with that.

[the invisib1e hand]

Wasn't his nick "Dandy Don" or something like that?Wasn't his nick "Dandy Don" or something like that?

Guess not, if his name was "John." lol.

[rockrr]

Sorry to hear this. RIP John - you died doing what you loved...

[umgud]

http://nitrogeezers.com/john_shoemaker.htm

[Mr. Mojo]

Nostalgia Top Fuel driver

Is "Big Daddy" Don Garlits on this Nostalgia TF circuit?

Shoemaker died doing his passion.

[cicada]

You’re thinking of Big Daddy Don Garlits.

[Mr. Mojo]

Wasn't his nick "Dandy Don" or something like that?

"Turn out the lights, the party's over...." - "Dandy Don" Meredith, ex-QB for the Dallas Cowboys and Monday Night Football co-host.

[umgud]

Is "Big Daddy" Don Garlits on this Nostalgia TF circuit?

No. He's got plenty to do down in FL. He's done a lot since his racing days, but the full nostalgia circuit isn't among them.

[wireman]

Dyno Don Nicholson?

[IronJack]

I think his nickname was “The Shoe.” Been in the business for a long, long time. I guess for a top fueler, it’s not a bad way to go out ...

[Wneighbor]

Rest in Peace

and thanks for lots of wild entertainment over the years.

[mkjessup]

No, I think he was thinking of Dandy Dick Landy, who died about a year ago, a great racing legend in his own right.

In any event, Rest In Peace John, say hello to Mr. Landy for us.

[umgud]

Not too many years ago, Dick Landy was still doing nostalgia meets.

[Old Professer]

You may have been thinking about Dyno Don (Nicholson).

He, too, is no longer with us.

[the invisib1e hand]

perhaps. I think I built a Revell modell of that car. Looks like a baracuda.

[tubebender]

I used to go to Formosa with the Pandraggers car club of FResno prior to 1954. I did my racing in a 38 Chevy at Hammer Field in FResno and Kingdon Drag Strip in Lodi. I still have my Pandraggers plaque and my Nor-Cal Slicks of Eureka plaque and jacket. I was a legend in my own mind. People still reminisce locally about my 65 GTO and the Jolly Green Giant 55 gasser at the Samoa Dragstip.. Samoa is the oldest operating NHRA track after 53 years...

[B Knotts]

I think his nickname was “The Shoe.”

You're probably thinking of Don Schumacher, who now operates Don Schumacher Racing.

[tubebender]

SAMOA DRAG STRIP Started in 1952 and was charted by NHRA in 1955. The Eureka PD sponsors night grudge races...

[umgud]

I used to run gas altereds back in the 70’s. They were a poor mans dragster, pretty quick, pretty simple, pretty cheap and really squirrelly.

I ran a few times at Famosa, but generally ran So Cal tracks.

[tubebender]

If any of you follow top fuel here is a blog from Hillary Will who was in Afghanistan last week. Hillary got her start at the Samoa Strip. Her dad owns a fleet of logging and lumber trucks... http://www.nhra.com/nhrablogs.asp?blog=will

[tubebender]

and really squirrelly.

Yes I know. I had a panic attack just watching them...

[umgud]

Never been to the Samoa track, but I sure like the Samoa Cookhouse.

[Texas Eagle]

You're probably thinking of Monday Night Football announcer and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Don "Dandy Don" Meredith.

[glock rocks]

Tork and his darling bride treated me and my extended family to dinner at the Samoa Cookhouse last summer. Great friends, great times. Beautiful country.

I got the hat!

[glock rocks]

... or is that extensive family ... hmmmm, dunno, I was pretty extended above the beltline following that meal...

[tubebender]

The strip is another 3 miles out the peninsula. The shut off area is just yards from the beach and Pacific Ocean. Elevation must be +15 feet...

[glock rocks]

First pull releases the chute. Second releases the raft?

[gc4nra]

Don “the Snake” Prudhome.

[UNGN]

perhaps. I think I built a Revell modell of that car. Looks like a baracuda.

Close, a Challenger. Ronnie Sox drove a similarly painted 'cuda.

[diogenes ghost]

It was not "Dandy Don", or "The Shoe", he was primarily a West Coast racer.

It seems as though many have him confused with Don Schumacher, who used to drive, and now owns several fuel teams, headlined by his son Tony.

[diogenes ghost]

The Revell model he referred to was probably the “Stardust” ‘Cuda Funny Car driven by Dom Schumacher, hence confusing him with John Shoemaker.

[Doctor Raoul]

Don Garlits.

[Doctor Raoul]

Remember Grumpy Jenkins?

[Onelifetogive]

Died doing what he loves? Nothing wrong with that.

Yeah, but it not quite as good as not dying while doing what you love...

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.

[the invisib1e hand]

Don Garlits.

everyone knows that's "Big Daddy."

[umgud]

Update: The car reportedly did not shut off at the end of the pass and no chutes were pulled. Hospital spokespeople said he had a heart attack during the run and just kept his foot on the gas until he crashed.

[glock rocks]

RIP John. It was a great ride.

He left doing the thing he loved most. I can only hope I’m lucky enough for that.

[IronJack]

You’re both right. This was not “The Shoe.” Still a sad event.

[tubebender]

One last pass. RIP

[umgud]

I’d be happy to either go fast or in my sleep. My nephew died yesterday after a prolonged bout with brain cancer. The end was lingering and painfull.

[glock rocks]

My condolences and prayers.

[umgud]

THX

[Old Professer]

Yep! I was really into drag racing from 1961-1970; ran three different cars in stock classes.

Had a 57 Pontiac HT that weighed in at 5,000 pounds on truck scales and ran low 14s with a low time of 13.96; engine was balanced and blueprinted, had custom headers and the factory 524886 camshaft; 4 speed Hydro blocked and pressure boosted on governor, homemade traction assist (adjustable left to right) and cheater slicks.

Lived in Monterey and ran in Fremont; once towed my buddy’s 57 Bel Air home on a chain behind the Pontiac.

Great fun, big budget buster, hell on domestic tranquility.

[wireman]

Dyno Don Nicholson was from the sixties. It's a lot closer to "Dandy Don" than "The Snake."

Thanks anyway.

[gc4nra]

Prudhomme is 63 years old, also from the sixties and at least in the same sport.