The drag racing world lost yet another member of its family this
past week. Marie Lagana, the wife and mother of the father and son
"Twilight Zone" Top Fuel team of Bob and Bobby Lagana
passed away Friday after a yearlong illness. This hurts. Marie was
another racer whom I have known since the mid '80s. She and Bobby
always made room in their pit space for me.
The life of an independent fuel racer is anything but easy, but
Marie Lagana worked right beside Bobby on his series of funny cars
and then fuelers, sacrificing some of life's comforts to feed the
nitro monster. Eventually, Bobby, Jr., hit the track, too, and Marie
was there to support both her husband and her son in their uphill
battle for Top Fuel glory. I can't imagine a more supportive wife
or mother. Marie's passing leaves a large void in the collective
soul of independent fuel racers everywhere. RIP, Marie. Bill
Pratt
Marie Lagana was 50 years old. She had been sick a tad over a
year. She was a big time Beatles fan (she was laid to rest in her
favorite Beatles Tee Shirt) Besides Bobby, Jr., the second oldest, her
children are Marie (oldest), Laura, and Dominic (the youngest). She
was the business end of the team, the cook, and the
entertainer.
If there is a substance stronger than glue, Marie was it (i.e.,
she kept everyone in line.) A very calm person, she was the calmest
when Junior was injured in Rochester a few years ago. She held it
together in every way possible. I seriously doubt the Zone would
have ever ventured down the track without her influence.
Art Cimilluca