York Springs, PA – Drag racing interest began to unfold in the 1950s on the Eastern seaboard. An influential site to that history was a drag strip that developed national renown and was known as York US 30 Dragway operating at the York airport in Thomasville just west of York, PA. The track attracted the best of the sport throughout the years of operation from 1955 to 1979. Drag racing legends abounded on a weekly basis and became an expected occurrence at any given event.
At the Spring Open House on Saturday, April 7th a group of four of these legends will be enshrined in EMMR with individual displays of their many contributions to the history of the sport. Honors earned with persistence and tenacity that flowed within their competitive veins.
Joe Jacono a most colorful and diligent driver who competed with nationally recognized top fuel dragsters and nitro funny cars the “Brief Encounter” and his “Rollin’ Stoned funny car entry that was a crowd favorite wherever he raced will be enshrined along with World Champion Larry Lombardo who is a masterful engine builder and the former driver on the Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins Chevrolets out of Malvern, PA. Lombardo amassed a huge string of National event wins, as well as an NHRA Pro Stock World Championship. He is extremely admired by his fellow racers for never forgetting where he came from, making frequent visits in the sportsman staging lanes to chat with his former group of opponents and friends.
The third recipient of an EMMR display is George Weiler from Birdsboro, PA. He was a true pioneer of the sport and competed regularly at York US30, his home track Maple Grove, and many of the NHRA national events throughout the years. He became the head crewman for Bud Faubel out of Chambersburg and his renowned “Honker” altered wheelbase factory experimental funny car. George was quick to assist his fellow racers and was the spark that gave the guidance to the Maple Grove Dragway operation located in Mohnton, PA, just outside of Reading.
Frank LeSueur an aspiring drag strip promoter, racer, and founder of Worldwide Racing Fuels which became the primary distributor of nitromethane. He also created his booking agency Worldwide Agency in 1970 that was a treasure trove of promotional events to the drag strip operators on the Eastern seaboard. He became renowned for his operation of Suffolk Raceway, in Suffolk, Virginia. His hands on abilities with his promotion agency and race contacts made him a natural leader for operating very popular circuits for the Northeast Division of NHRA with the NHRA All-Star Super Stock circuit and the NHRA Pro Stock circuit.
A formal dedication of the individual displays will be held at EMMR at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 7th at the museum at 100 Baltimore Road, York, Springs, PA 17372.
There is no admission and the public is invited to a full day of tributes and displays. Donations are always gladly accepted.
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