San Diego Automotive Museum opens new permanent Don Prudhomme display
The San Diego Automotive Museum in Southern California unveiled a new permanent display honoring NHRA legend Don “the Snake” Prudhomme with a private grand opening July 13.
The display includes more than 100 of the NHRA Wallys that Prudhomme earned as both a driver and team owner in NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car competition, as well as firesuits and helmets. A video package shows some of Prudhomme’s greatest (and wildest) moments on the track, augmented by recent interviews with Prudhomme.
The display includes more than 100 of the NHRA Wallys that Prudhomme earned as both a driver and team owner in NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car competition, as well as firesuits and helmets. A video package shows some of Prudhomme’s greatest (and wildest) moments on the track, augmented by recent interviews with Prudhomme.
“It’s just a tremendous honor to be in this great museum and to have my career recognized here,” said Prudhomme, who was accompanied by wife Lynn and daughter Donna. “I’m also proud to have NHRA recognized in this wonderful place for people to come and visit and learn a little more about drag racing.”
Prudhomme has lived in the San Diego area for a quarter-century after retiring from the sport as a multitime world champion driver and car owner.
On display outside the museum was a replica of Prudhomme’s U.S. Army Arrow from the 1978 season, which was on loan from the NHRA Motorsports Museum. Dale Coleman, board chairman of the NHRA Museum, and NHRA President Glen Cromwell were in attendance at the event, as were former NHRA vice presidents Graham Light and Steve Gibbs and many of Prudhomme’s longtime friends and associates, including Roland Leong, Bob Brandt, Pat Galvin, Donnie Couch, Simon Menzies, and Jim "Dudley" Rickart.
The museum is located at 2080 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101, in one of the historic buildings in San Diego’s famed Balboa Park.
