by Phil R. Elliott
Don “The Snake” Prudhomme: My Life Beyond the 1320
By Don Prudhomme with Elana Scherr
$42.95
CarTech Books
www.cartechbooks.com
Every once in awhile, there is treasure in my mailbox.
A few weeks before Christmas, a familiar looking package lurked there, a book from CarTech – but what? Upon the reveal, I found Don “the Snake” Prudhomme: My Life Beyond the 1320. Intriguing.
When I flipped open the hardbound edition, it somehow fell to the very last page showing a full color photo of a hand with dirty fingernails holding a small photo of Prudhomme’s 1966 AA/FD ride. The caption said, “Doing this book has given me a chance to look back at everything I’ve done. There was more good than bad, and I’m lucky and grateful for everyone who helped me through.”
In the title and these two simple sentences under that photo, I found clues to what could be experienced inside 192 pages; a revelation of one of the toughest drag racers ever to stomp a loud pedal. But the gratitude sounded as if it came from a rather humble individual, not the many time World Champion, one who one might suggest has a right to be pompous, even arrogant, and considered by many over the years to be unapproachable And those fingernails? This guy is still hands-on and willing to get dirty.
I must admit something about myself. I often have to separate my writer/photographer persona from my being a motorsports fan. As a journalist, I learned to tell stories in an honest fashion, keeping my opinions to the editorial columns I did from time to time. As a fan, emotions led the charge of getting to tracks a bit earlier, staying a bit later, and trying to understand politics and philosophy of man and beast. That wasn’t always easy. Also, I wasn’t always bold. I stayed behind the imaginary and literal ropes, only entering someone’s private pit space when beckoned. I watched, I listened, and if/when the opportunity arose, I asked.
Beyond those self-inflicted parameters, I was both a fan of the little-guy underdog who won by a fluke or on a holeshot, as well as the all-conquering, break-their-backs performances from the heavy hitters. And there is no dichotomy to explain here, just that I liked it all, from the lowliest Junior Stockers to the biggest name touring professional.
Don Prudhomme fits several of those descriptions. He rarely, if ever, spouted the put downs of psychological warfare, because on any day, he could take all the marbles by out working, out performing and out driving everyone on the property. His performances were often so stout that he literally “stunk up the place;” nobody else stood a chance. I witnessed a few of those days for Prudhomme. And now, according to the title of the book in front of me, I was going to not only read about Don Prudhomme’s exploits on the dragstrips of the world, but beyond them as well.
The book opens at the beginning; birth, parents, siblings, even a few awful grade school experiences. Within a few pages of storyline and photo captions, I could feel Don’s voice – these were his memories, words and sentiments, including the negative ones. Prudhomme was peeling back his early life, remembering warts and all. In this current era of embellishments and outright lies, it is a refreshing way to tackle the story of your own life.
And although co-authorship (or at least smoothing) is credited to drag race fan and automotive journalist Elana Scherr, make no mistake, this is an autobiography by one Donald Ray Prudhomme. I envy Ms. Scherr in that she got to spend time over what was at least a full year of interviews and sharing with Prudhomme after he retired, in a relaxed setting. Certainly, there were many very enjoyable hours as recollections poured out of a man who has done it all. I am grateful that Ms. Scherr chose to leave in all of Prudhomme’s tone and nuance. I don’t remember any previous time when Snake opened up to this much scrutiny.
The style and layout of this book wraps itself around myriad photos, all with well-crafted and informative captions. It also has a dozen or so sidebars, penned by siblings, his wife Lynn, some that he worked with and for like Tommy Ivo and Roland Leong, and others that worked for him like Bob Brandt and Ron Capps. It is all packaged skillfully, inviting even the most casual fan to spend a few hours, delightfully studying this life that has meant so much to the world of drag racing.
Over the years, many times I heard Prudhomme’s “unapproachableness” referred to in colorful speech (please fill in your own verbiage from rumors or personal experience). Many drivers in the pits make themselves available to fans or the media, each in different ways. I “suggested” to naysayers that Prudhomme was different from those others – he was always honed in on the job at hand. His singular motivation was always on winning and improving his performances, whether at a national event, a match race or even an exhibition. That laser focus rarely included those outside his pit area – he appeared standoffish, as well as mean and rude.
Interestingly in this retrospective, Prudhomme sees himself that way, writing that he only knew racing and winning, never about schmoozing with spectators or even sponsors. And, although he has high respect for a number of his competitors, he only made a handful of friends among them. After all, they were the enemy on his chosen battlefield.
Nearly without peer, he is arguably in the top three as the most recognizable name in drag racing. He has either done it all or won it all. He was among the very first to receive non-automotive backing that had huge marketing attached. He never stood on laurels; Prudhomme always sought higher ground.
This wonderful hardbound volume includes pinnacles of the success of four FC championships, big sponsors and the admiration of generations of youngsters. But, it also features the lows of crashes, fires and the empty-pocket struggles of operating a team on winnings during long dry spells. And, as an additional bonus, there is plenty of that rather personal “beyond the 1320” stuff as well. It will give the reader insights never thought possible from such a private individual.
In my humble opinion, Don “the Snake” Prudhomme can be described by one simple sentence; He was defined by the pursuit of his goal. This book brings that out well. But it does something else. It carves away that hard shell persona that so many subscribed to over the years of his incredible career. By shedding his skin, this snake shows a softer, human nature that I wish everyone could experience.
