Ron Pelligrini's contributions to drag racing are almost beyond counting. More than 90% of the men and women racing Funny Cars in the 60s, 70s and into the 80s were running Fiberglass Ltd.-built bodies. In addition to all of the development work Pelligrini did on those early bodies he was a prominent member of Midwest UDRA when it counted, personally running more than one of the numerous circuits of booked-in cars they fielded. He was, and continues to be, forward-thinking regarding all aspects of drag racing. Stunning as it may seem to our younger readers, Pelligrini actually drag raced on a dirt track in Illinois in the late 50s. He also drove for some guy named "TV Tom" Ivo, and with the Mustang body he mounted on an Altered frame it could be argued that he had the first blown F/C in the country. He also had a classic confrontation with Wally Parks in a hotel parking lot in Indy in the early 60s that resulted in Wally never speaking to Pelligrini again! (I'll let him tell that one if he cares to!) There's no question about how influential Pelligrini was in helping Don Schumacher get started, as Don indicated earlier. I know because I was lucky enough to have been there, too. And yes, Ron also influenced my career at a time when I was struggling to get started. He was incredibly supportive and helpful, and I've certainly never forgotten it.
Jon Asher
Senior Editor
CompetitionPlus.com
Senior Editor
Drag Racing Edge Magazine