Funny Car have original connections to California

funny car

Funny Car have original connections to California. Drag racing got its start in the desert salt flats of Southern California and the state became the birthplace of drag racing .

Late in the '60s, Funny Car developed and by the '70s, arguably were the most popular cars in the sport. Advertising not only said 'Sunday, Sunday, Sunday' but also giant fields of Funny Cars appeared with additional advertising stating '64 Funny Cars'. And I saw these huge fields in person - it was amazing.

Whether that's the reason or not, the current drivers in Funny Car have original connections to California. And there seems to be more Funny Car drivers who come from California, with many still living here, than any other class. Here are the ones we know about who are currently in the points standings.

Mike Neff - Neff grew up in Hemet, which is about as close as you can get to the desert without officially being in the desert. He worked with other Californians like Larry Minor, Joe Gibbs, Cory McClenathan, Gary Scelzi and of course, John Force.

Robert Hight - If you didn't know already, Hight is the son-in-law of John Force. Hight is originally from Alturas, which is in the far northwest of the state. He still lives in Anaheim Hills.

Jack Beckman - Originally from San Fernando and the Southern California area, he was introduced to the sport by his uncle John, who I happen to know.

Cruz Pedregon - From Torrance, Cruz is the son of the famous early dragster driver Flaming Frank Pedregon who was a friend of my father. You can add Cruz's younger brother Tony to the list, too.

Ron Capps - Originally from San Luis Obispo on the Central Coast (where I now live), from what I know, he still lives in Southern California.

John Force - Bell Gardens is Force's birthplace and he still lives in Yorba Linda - and next door to where my cousin lived for many years.

Actually when you look up the older drivers and those who have retired, the list grows. Of course, other classes have Californians too but Funny Car has by far the biggest field. And if it seems we're just all one big family, we are (see related articles).

Again, whether the Funny Car fever or the movie Funny Car Summer back in the '70s created this phenomenon is for sociologist to figure out but Funny Car drivers come from the Golden State.

Hey man, I know dude, maybe it's like the laid back California attitude that does it? Cool dude.

Sources - NHRA, L.A. Times