The Name Game!

by Danny White (6/98)

Readers, the long overdue story is finally here after several things came up The things that came up were a problem in my email (it was down for a month), a couple of computer upgrades and mild case of writer's block on my part. The story that I want to do this time around is about the geographical names given to cars that gave them their identity. The names were done for several reasons: promotion, patriotism, and self-gratification. The new race cars today for the most part don't carry names, but only that of the race team, owner, or sponsor. The following is a good sampling of the cars named after country, state, city, or regional areas. I left off those carrying company names of sponsors because they lack that sprit of originality that used to flourish abundantly in drag racing.

STATES:

ALASKA
Alaskan / Bob Lundsford / TAD
Alaskan Grizzly / Jamie Bodenstadt / AAFC & AAFA
Alaskan / Joe Meinert / TD (Meinert lives in Pennsylvania)
Alaskan Second Generation / Jacob Meinert / SP

ARKANSAS
Arkansas State Police / Louie Wallman / TAFC
Arkansas Razorback / Russell Long / AAFC

ALABAMA
Alabamian / AAFC
- drivers: Shirl Greer, Pee Wee Wallace, Paul Smith, Wayne Mahaffey & others
Alabama Slammer / Scott Neal / AGas (California-based)
Alabama Thunder / Gary Wells / PM
Alabama Thunder III / Pete Williams / AG (Modified)

THE CAROLINAS
Carolina Wildman / Jerry Davis / AAFC & TAFC
Carolina Daytona / Johnny Murray / TS
Carolina Hooker / Ken Regenthal / PM & TS
Carolina Easter Bunny / J. Ed Horton / TF

CALIFORNIA
California Trucker / Lee Jennings / ND & AD
California Rattler / Ray Sylvester / TAFC
- drivers: Mike Halstead and Sylvester
California Rattler / Ray Stutz /TF
California Sun / Nelson Lengle / TF
- drivers: Ray Stutz and Bill Carter
California Flash / Butch Leal / FC, PS & AFX
California Highway Patrol / Dave McDaniel / TAFC
California Gold / Ken Mooers / TAFC
California Kid
- driver Clive Michaell / AAFA (Great Britain)
- driver Al Biscay / Jet
California Stud / Dave Bowman / AAFC
California Chargers / Keeling & Clayton / TF & AAFC
- drivers: Rick Ramsey, Neil Leffler & Jake Johnson among others
California Hooker / Keith Martin / AAFC
California Charger / Mike Thermos / AAFC
California Flame / Tom Brown / Jet
California Smokey / Joe Douthit / Jet
California Woody / Woody Gilmore / AAFD
California Wolverine / Al Homen / TF
California Cajun / Fred Mooneyham / TF
California Deuce / Mark Watson / WS

KENTUCKY
Kentucky Thunder / Dan Nimmo / AD & TAFC
Kentucky Moonshiner / Dale Funk / TF
Kentucky Thunder / Bill McCormack /TAD

DELAWARE
Delaware Destroyer / Danny Bastianelli / TD

LOUISIANA
Louisiana Swamp Rat / Tommy Van Gossen / AADA

OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma Landrush / Jerry Jefferson / AAFC
The Okie / Joe Githens / AAFC & TAFC
- drivers Dale Tuter, Don Roberts & Joe Githens
Pokie Okie / Skater George Chambers / TAFC
Thunderin' Okie / Bob Alberty / TAFC

MISSOURI
Missouri Rat / Bob McCosh / TAD
Missouri Mule / Lou Cangelose / AAFD

MEXICO
Mexican Mustang / Peter Russo / AAFC (Australia-based)
Mexican Revolution / Johnny Valdez / AAFC (Texas-based)
Mexican Jumpin' Bean / Hererra / WS (Texas-based)

ARIZONA
Arizona Thunder / Mike Hilsabeck / TAFC
Arizona Wildcat / Larry Christopher / AAFC
- drivers: Christopher, Mike Hamby & Dale Pulde
Arizona Flash / Joe Brown / Jet

NEVADA
Nevada Rattler / Ricky Ruiz / AAFC, AAFA & TAFC

GEORGIA
Georgia Shaker / Hubert Platt / PS

FLORIDA
Florida Thief / R.L. Peyton / AAFD

IDAHO
Idaho Thunder / Dale Harsin / TAFC

TEXAS
Texas Whips / Carroll Bros. / TF & AFD
- drivers: David Pace, David Settles, Richard Tharp, Marshall Love, Joe Bob Dobsen, Kenny Bernstein, Jim Ludden & many others
Texas Crude / Ric Crews / BBFC
Texas Whiz Kids / Mike Civelli / AAFD
- drivers: Ben Griffin, Jim Nix (not Smilin' Jimmy Nix) and others
Texican / Don Metz / TAD
Texas Gold / Mike Withrow / TAD
Texas Wildlife / Jim Farnsworth / TAFC
Texas Connection / Kirk Johnson / TAFC
Texas Ranger / Richard Langson / AAFA & AAFC (usually Nevada-based)
Texas Bandit / Sam Harris & Richard Kiesov / AAFC
Texas Super Cougar / Bill Rodgers / AAFC
Texas Jet Set / Ancel Horton / Jet
Texas Thunder / Hand & O'Brien / Jet
- drivers: Ancel Horton, Danny Wright & others
Texas Weasel / Prentiss Cunningham / AAFD
- drivers: Raymond Beadle, Kenny Bernstein & others
Texas Terror / James Cagle / AAFD
Texas Rare Bear / Corvair Panel Wagon / Roy Trevino
Texan / Eddie Hill / TF
Texas Justice / Burl Brown / TAFC
Texas Tremor / Jimmy Jones / TAFC
Texas Yankee / Chris Berg / AAFC
Lonestar Lightning / Hand & O'Brien / Jet
- drivers: Tom Brown, Marvin Celsure, Tom Dazevich, Tammy Gatlin, Rocket Rod Phelps, Dick Rosberg, Jerry Segal, Bob Van Sciver, Danny Wright & probably others not listed here

ILLINOIS
Illinois Thunder / Eric Standerberg / TAD

MONTANA
Montana Raider / Terry Rice /TAFC
Montana Express / John Mitchell / TAD, AFD & TF
AD drivers: Ron Capps, Larry Dixon, Jr., Frank Pedregon, Jr., Tony Pedregon & Jim Rizzoli
TF drivers: David Busby, Rod Fuller, David Grubnic (AKA Aussie Dave himself), Clayton Harris, Marshall Topping & Andy Woods

KANSAS
Kansas Badman / Ted Detar / AFC
Kansas Twister / Porter Donn / AD & TAFC
Kansas City Star / Phillip Brown / SD
K.C. Bomber / Dale Wilch / AFD & TF

IOWA
Iowa Roller / Vern Moats / TAFC
Iowa Shaker / Dickie Walters / AFC
driver: Hubert Platt

MICHIGAN
Michigan Mad Man / John Cain / TF
Michigan Wolverine / Tom Dunlap / TAFC

OHIO
Ohio Express / Mike Sage / TAD & BBFC
Ohio Highway Patrol / Stan Bowman / AAFC

MISSISSIPPI
Mississippi Grass / Ricky Klarr & Jim Kimbrough / AEA

TENNESSEE
Tennessee Shaker / Gary & Steve Litton / AAFC
Tennessee Bo-Weevil / Ray Godman / TF, AAFC & AAMR
- drivers: Jim McCrutchen, Preston Davis, Larry La Due, Sonny Adkins, Bob Gibson & others
Tennessee Thunder / John Livingston / PS

COLORADO
Colorado Challenger / Dick Custy / AAFC
Colorado Gold / Dan Lexa / AAFC

OREGON
Oregon Pride / Donnie Holm /TAFC
Oregonian / Alan DeBoer / AD

VIRGINIA
Virginia Twister / Kenny Warren / AAFC & AFC
- drivers: Warren, Tom Smith, Billy West & Jim Wigglesworth
Virginia Gentleman / Rusty Jackson / Q8 car

WEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia Mouse / Eddie & Mike Smith / PS, Comp & SSAA

NEW YORK
New York Earthshaker / Bruce Peterson / TAFC
New Yorker / Casey Powell / AAFC & TF
New Yorker / Clark & Paulin / TF
- drivers: Sam Hagen & Jim Kowchefski

CANADA
Canada Frantic Four / Fred Farndon / TF
Canadian Wild Rat / Tom Reid / TF

ONTARIO
Ontario George / George Gray / AAGS

HAWAII
Hawaiian / Roland Leong / TF & AAFC
TF - drivers: Danny Ongais, Mike Snively, Mike Sorokin, Don Prudhomme, Stan Shiroma & others
FC - drivers: Gordie Bonin, Russell Long, Mike Van Sant, Mike Dunn, Jim Dunn, Pat Foster, Rick Johnson, Bobby Rowe, Denny Savage, Johnny West, Jim White, Norm Wilcox & others
Hawaiian III / Art Christy / AAFD (based in Great Britain)
Hawaiian Eagle / Tom Seydel / Jet & WS

REGIONAL PLACE NAMES:

NEW ENGLAND
New Englander / Rhea Goodrich / TF
- drivers: Rit Pustari & Bob Simmons
New England Charger / Dave Keddy / AAFC

FLORIDA
Gold Coast Warrior / Jim Alesio / TAFC
Gold Coast Charger / AAFC
Gold Coast Flyer / Don Neives / AAFC

BAYOUS
Bayou Shaker / Jim Robbins / AAFC
Bayou Bullet / Larry Cummings / TD
- drivers: Larry, Brett & Slate Cummings

THE NORTHWEST
Yukon Gold /Jerry Verhuel / AAFC
- drivers: Mike Miller, Ed McCulloch & Frank Hall
Arctic Traveler / Kenny Sitko / TAD
Northwest Frantic Four / Lynn Welfringer / AAMR

NORTHERN NAMES
Northern Lights / Dave McElwain / TAD
Northern Thunder / Robert Wilson / TAD
Northern Thunder / Hector Pickering / TF
Northern Thunder / Bob Davenport / PM
Northwind / Jim Albrich / TF
- drivers: Jim Barnard, Mel Van Niewhouse, Ed McCulloch, Jeep Hampshire, Ray Thode & others
Northern Exposure / Larry Niebrydowski / TS
North Racing / Hans Svenson / PS
North Race / Ingemar Johansen / Comp
Northern Rebel / Rick Burnett / Q8
Northside Boys / Randy Rucker / SD
North East Raider / Al Lombardo / AAGS
Northern Force / Bob Elliot / AAFC, AFC & Jet
North Star Racing / Clay Broadwater / AAFC & TAFC
North Coast Flyer / Ken Nelson

EASTERN NAMES
Eastern Raider / Al Hanna & Joe Mundet / AAFC, TF, AFC & Jets
- drivers: Al Hanna, Rich Hanna, Americo Carranca, Toby Ehrmantraut & Dale Pulde (AKA Western Raider)
East Coast Low Rider / Mike Ragusa / PM
East Coast Raider / Kenny Underwood / AAA
Eastwind / Bill Hansen / TF
Eastwind / Jim Merringer / TF

WESTERN NAMES
West Coast Gambler / Vern Hicks / AAFC, BBFC & AAGS
driver: Gene Modlin
Western Hauler / Carl West / AFC
Western Raider / Gary Cochran / TF & AAFC
Western Flame / Bruce Abbot / Jet
Westwind / Mike Fuller / Nostalgia AAFD
driver: Bill Dunlap
Western Gambler / Sergio Recio / B/SP
West Coast Charger / Paul Savadin / TF

SOUTHERN NAMES
Southern Star / Jerry Gulley / TAFC
Southern Thunder / Bogie Kell & Mike Keenum / TAFC
Southern Shaker / Rick Sherrill / AAFC & TAFC
Southern Comfort / George Southern / AAFC
Southern Wind / Frank Wilson / AD
South Street Gang / Fred Slavdovich / PM
Southern Rat / Sonny Leonard / PS
Southwind / Don Cook / TF
Southern Flyer / Clayton Harris

OTHER NAMES
Indian Country / Elvis Humphrey / AAFC
High Plains Drifter / Chris Eckert / AAFC
Aussie Raider / Graeme Cowin / AAFC
Canuck / Dale Armstrong / AAFC
China Syndrome / Al Hofmann / AAFC

CITY NAMES:

CHICAGO
Chicago Fire / Mike Faser / AAFC & AAFA
Chicago Fire / Bill Mattio / Jet
Chicago Rush / Joe Gouger & Chuck Scherr / TAFC
Chicago Patrol / several owners / AAFC
- drivers: Tom Anderson, Dale Pulde, Fred Goeske, Gordon Mineo, Ron Colson, Pat Foster & Ed O'Brien
Chicago Kid / Kelly Brown / AAFC
Chicago Missile / Don Colisano / TF
Chi-Town Hustler / Farkonas, Coil & Minick / AAFC
- drivers: Ron Colson, Frank Hawley, Russell Long, Jim Liberman, Pat Minick, Wayne Minick, Clare Sanders, Denny Savage & Pete Williams

LOS ANGELES
L.A. Hooker / Gene Beaver / AAFC
- drivers: Dave Condit, Kenny Bernstein, Jim Adolph, Jim White, Dale Pulde & Mart Higginbotham
L.A. Hauler / Jim Holtz / TAFC
L.A.P.D. Racing / Tony Foti / PM
L.A. Challenger / Marv Eldridge / AAFC
L.A. Stang / Arnie Frank / WS
L.A. Dart / Bill Shrewsberry / WS
L.A. Raider / Maurice Fabrietti / Nostalgia AAFD (Australia-based)

DETROIT
Detroit Tiger / Pancho Rendon /AAFC
driver: Tom Prock
Detroit Duster / Ernie Petit / WS
Motown Shaker / Fred Johnson / TAFC
Motown Shaker / Al Bergler / AAFC
Motown Missile / Ted Spehar /PS
- drivers: Don Carlton, Mike Fons & Dick Oldfield

BOSTON
Boston Shaker / Kosty Ivanoff / AAFC
- drivers: Al Segrini & Ivanoff
Boston Strangler / Arnie Karp, Robert Sweet / TAFC
Boston Strangler Australia / Ian Brown / TAFC
Mr. Boston / Hank Endres / TF
Bostonian / Jeff Gorden / AAFC & AFC
- drivers: Sammy Miller & Gorden
Bostonian / Mike Cutuguno / Jet

PHOENIX
The Phoenix / Ron Fassl / AAFC & AAFA
The Phoenix / Bernie Bicks / WS
Phoenix Flyer / Dave Russell / TF

OTHER CITY NAMES:
Beartown Shaker / AAFC
- drivers: Topper Kramer, Rick Johnson, Mike Dunn & Glenn Mikres
Snowtown Shaker / Bill Schifsky / AAFC
- drivers: Rick Johnson & others
Sand Mountain Shaker / Jerry Rhoades / TAFC
Seminole Shaker / Ron Rice / TAFC
Dallas Express / Ted Isom / TAD
Tulsa Oiler / Dick Moritz / AAFC
driver: Jim White
Houston Hustler / Johnny White / AAFC
Warsaw Express / Joe Nowocinski & Tom Taros / TAD & Nostalgia Dragster

NAMES IN REFERENCE TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:

US
USA / Al Hofmann / AAFC (Australia-based)
USA -1 / Bruce Larson / AAFC, BBFC & PS
US Enterprise / Various owners / Jet
- drivers: Guy Zelinski, Ancel Horton & Tammy Gatlin
US-1 / various owners / Jet
- drivers: Lucky Harris, Fred Sibley Jr. & Sr.
USA-1 / Hayden Profitt / Rocket
- drivers: Hayden & Brad Profitt
US-1 / Bob Van Sciver / Jet
USA Racing / John Rocca / PM
- drivers: Chad Newlee, John Rocca, Mike Harbaugh & John Speelman

AMERICA
American Taxpayer / Van Ivy / TAD
American Flyer / Mike Kosky / TAD
American Flyer / Bob Beatty / AAFA
American Dream / J.R. Wade / AAFC
- drivers: Ray Motes, Larry Gould & Brett Fanning
American Dream / Vern Anderson / Rocket
American Eagle / John Shoemaker / TAD
American Eagle / Al Hofmann / AAFC
American Eagle / Elliot Platt / AFC
American Eagle / Plueger, Youngblood & Co. / AAFC
- drivers: Gary Ritter, Gary Southern
American Way / Al Lehman / TF
- drivers: Al Lehman, Robert Sanders, Howard Haight & Al Friedman
American Way / Bruce Andreas / AFC
American Express / Al Segrini / AFC
American Express / Clark Blackwell / AFC (not affiliated with Segrini's)
American Bandstand / Don Hampton / AAFC
American Graffiti / Harlan Thompson / AAFC (Great Britain-based)
Americar Racing / Tim Cook / PM (Great Britain-based)
American / Don Ewald / TF

If there was any car we left off this article, drop me an email in order to add it to The Drag Racing List.

Danny
ddgw@valornet.com