Wally Parks

Wally Parks: The Father of Drag Racing

Wally Parks was an American journalist, editor, publisher, and founder of the largest drag racing organization in the world, the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). Known as the “father of drag racing,” he is one of the most influential figures in the history of motorsports.

Early Life and Passion for Cars

Parks was born in Goltry, Oklahoma. He founded the Road Runners car club in Los Angeles in 1937 after developing an early interest in cars and racing. He served as the club’s president and editor of its newsletter titled “The Throttle.” He also worked for the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA), an organization that sanctioned speed trials on dry lake beds. Parks was appointed as the SCTA’s president before World War II.

Military Service During World War II

During the war, Wally Parks served as a tank officer in the United States Army, stationed in Europe and Africa. His experiences during the war did not diminish his passion for motorsports, and he resumed his duties with the SCTA after returning home.

Editor of Hot Rod Magazine

In 1948, Parks helped launch Hot Rod magazine and served as its editor. Through the magazine, he advocated for legal drag racing venues, which played a key role in shaping the future of the sport.

Founding the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA)

Parks’ vision to create an organization for drag racing enthusiasts led to the formation of the NHRA, which began as a division of Hot Rod magazine. In 1953, he organized the NHRA’s first sanctioned event in Pomona, California, and later the first NHRA Championship Drag Races in Great Bend, Kansas, in 1955.

Expansion of the NHRA

As Parks became the President of Petersen Publishing Company, the parent company of Hot Rod and other automobile magazines, he continued to grow the NHRA. He introduced professional classes, regional divisions, and member benefits, solidifying the NHRA as a dominant force in motorsports.

Later Years and Legacy

Although Parks retired from Petersen Publishing Company in 1975, he remained the Chairman of the NHRA, continuing to guide its growth. Parks passed away in 2007 at the age of 94, leaving behind a legacy as a trailblazer in drag racing and motorsports innovation.