J.W. Claridge

J.W. Claridge has been involved in racing for 54 years. He began his love for racing in 1955 at the Eagle Mountain Lake National Guard base drag race track near Fort Worth, TX. He married Linda Day in 1958, who began racing and won over 40 awards before it was popular for women to drag race. When their son Johnny, turned 17 he started drag racing and has continued to race for 33 years.

J.W has received many drag racing awards throughout his racing career. He won the 9th Annual World Drag Racing Championship in his class in 1963 at Green Valley Raceway. In 1983 Car Craft magazine nominated the team as All-Star Drag Racing Team of the Year. J.W. was inducted into the NHRA Division 4 Hall of Fame in 1987.
He received the Sportsman Wrench of the Year in 1987 and the Texas Senate presented a Senate Resolution to the Claridge Racing Team for their contribution to the sport of drag racing.

J.W has always believed drag racing is a clean sport and one in which a split second can make all the difference in whether you win or lose. He raced at many local tracks, including Green Valley Raceway, Richland Hills Drag Strip, Forest Hill Speedway, Cedar Hill Race Track and Caddo Mills. When Johnny started racing J.W. became his tutor and mechanic. They began crisscrossing six states chasing NHRA division points. In 1982, Johnny placed fourth in the world and went on to win back-to-back Super Gas titles among his numerous awards.

J.W. is widely known in the racing field for his ability to answer questions regarding American made cars with high performance engines. This outstanding man has unique mechanical talents that have been an invaluable aid, not only to the Claridge Racing Team, but also to many other racing participants. J.W. passed this talent on to Johnny who is currently a supervisor for Reher-Morrison Racing Engines.

In over 50 years of drag racing, the Claridge’s have campaigned a 1950 Mercury, 1955 Chevrolet, 1948 Anglia, 1927 Roadster, Dragster, Chevy II, and a 1969 Camaro. Throughout the years drag racing has given the Claridge Racing Team an opportunity to develop their competitive and winning skills while spending time together. During the 2009 season look for their 1967 Camaro with its new paint job and orange racing stripes. Its retro looks bring back a lot of memories. See you at the track!!