Willis Ragsdale
Willis Ragsdale started drag racing in the late 50’s and retired from racing in 1987. He was one of the true pioneers of the sport and a big part of what it has become today. He used all types of engines through the years including small block Chevy twice, Hemi, and small block Ford. He competed against many of the sport’s legends throughout his career ranging from Don Nicholson to Lee Shepherd to current Pro Stock drivers like Mike Edwards and Larry Morgan. He won several divisional and national eliminator titles in both NHRA and AHRA, including the U.S. Nationals. He set several national class records in Modified and Competition Eliminator and held the NHRA national record in his class when he retired. He is currently in good health and just completed a 10 year build of a beautiful 1937 3-window coupe street rod.
Row 1 left: Class champion 1969 Springnationals – 426 Hemi Row 1 center: Class champion 1964 U.S. Nationals – small block Chevy Row 1 right: 1967 Austin, Tx. – small block Chevy Row 2 left: 1958 Houston, Tx. – small block Chevy Row 2 center: 1961 Eliminator champion U.S. Nationals – small block Chevy Row 2 right: 1965 Houston, Tx. – small block Chevy Row 3 left: 1973 Class champion U.S. Nationals – 426 Hemi Row 3 center: 1975 Class Champion Gatornationals – 426 Hemi Row 3 right: 1984 Gatornationals – Boss 302 Ford Row 4 left: 1984 U.S. Nationals – Boss 302 Ford Row 4 center: 1981 completed build of new car Row 4 right: 1972 Divisional race champion Lubbock, Tx. – 426 Hemi Row 5 left: 1965 Houston, Tx. – small Block Chevy
I stumbled across this picture gallery of my dad on the internet and thought would add some description. Willis Ragsdale started drag racing in the late 50’s and retired from racing in 1987. He was one of the true pioneers of the sport and a big part of what it has become today. He used all types of engines through the years including small block Chevy twice, Hemi, and small block Ford. He competed against many of the sport’s legends throughout his career ranging from Don Nicholson to Lee Shepherd to current Pro Stock drivers like Mike Edwards and Larry Morgan. He won several divisional and national eliminator titles in both NHRA and and AHRA, including the U.S. Nationals. He set several national class records in Modified and Competition Eliminator and held the NHRA national record in his class when he retired. He is currently in good health and just completed a 10 year build of a beautiful 1937 3-window coupe street rod.
Here is a brief description of the photos in the gallery by row, left to right:
Row 1 left: Class champion 1969 Springnationals – 426 Hemi
Row 1 center: Class champion 1964 U.S. Nationals – small block Chevy
Row 1 right: 1967 Austin, Tx. – small block Chevy
Row 2 left: 1958 Houston, Tx. – small block Chevy
Row 2 center: 1961 Eliminator champion U.S. Nationals – small block Chevy
Row 2 right: 1965 Houston, Tx. – small block Chevy
Row 3 left: 1973 Class champion U.S. Nationals – 426 Hemi
Row 3 center: 1975 Class Champion Gatornationals – 426 Hemi
Row 3 right: 1984 Gatornationals – Boss 302 Ford
Row 4 left: 1984 U.S. Nationals – Boss 302 Ford
Row 4 center: 1981 completed build of new car
Row 4 right: 1972 Divisional race champion Lubbock, Tx. – 426 Hemi
Row 5 left: 1965 Houston, Tx. – small Block Chevy