Sox & Martin... What began as a mission to deliver information and current events over 40 years ago as a paperboy, is now an effort to get the word out to gather information about this car. Forty years ago, I was the paper boy for the late Ronnie Sox and Buddy Martin and was fortunate to enough to see dozens of Barracudas and Road Runners in their driveways.
In the early 1970’s the Sox and Martin team became unstoppable and recognized as a family, sharing parts and technology. Every part and car is now recognized as historic and is constantly being authenticated. Photographed is one of the few remaining cars to be authenticated by Hemi Fred. Current National Champion Sox and Martin Racers have values of over $880,000.
Fred was kidding me about the name Pickers, Pedals, Passions & Blunders. He told me one of his biggest Blunders was leaving quick and creating a major wheel stand (pictured on following page) and almost wrecking an $880,000 dollar car. But Fred’s comment was gracious stating “that is what we race for and give the fans their money’s worth.” Dale
Photos to the left were taken at East Coast Dragster Reunion car show held in Henderson, NC last month Hemi Fred talking with a show attendee while tryng to find out more info on his car which he believes is one of the few remaining Sox and Martin’s cars. Pictured with his proud family is Harold Lyles, one of Sox and Martin’s crew members and one of their drivers from their heydays. While we have lost Ronnie Sox, any mention of his name and the sweeping of the championships in the early ‘70’s draws a big crowd. His cars are so valuable now that in a recent auction one of the team cars went for $880,000.
The Return of the Boss “Hemi Fred” Rastagno brings back one of the most prolific Pro Stockers of all time Story by Steve Reasbeck, Photos courtesy of Steve Reasbeck and www.godragracing.com
Although
this may get an argument from my open-wheeled drag racing friends, I firmly believe that the growth of drag racing is largely the result of the involvement of Detroit’s “Big 3.” Ford, Chrysler, GM, and even AMC provided equipment,
exposure, and, of course, money, to the sport and its participants to promote their products. This involvement continued at a torrid pace throughout the mid sixties/early seventies, and much has been written regarding the factory 4
“wars.” Without this influx of support, the sport as we know it may have never reached the stature and respect that it has at this time. The factories, particularly Ford and Chrysler, directly Return of the Boss cont. next pg