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One of my best days was a few years ago when Preston Davis invited me and my father to Bowling Green for the NHRR. Steve Gibbs met us at the front gate and escorted us to Ray’s pit area where all of the Bo-Weevil cars were on display, sans the Mustang that burned. I have always been taken by the astounding attention to detail and work done on these cars, especially the A-Models. Building a 1950 to early 60s era slingshot wasn’t practical but those cars gave me a look I am trying for.

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For you younger folks, the man in the wheel chair is Ray Godman. Ray is also an NHRA Hall of Fame Member. Ray was one of the early Memphis Rodders. He was drafted into the service in the Korean conflict and was wounded by a sniper, hence the wheelchair. Ray owned the Lakeland Drag Strip near Memphis, famous for the movie “Two Lane Blacktop.” Ray was instrumental in the NHRA coming East of the Mississippi River. Ray also owned Godman’s Speed Shop in Memphis and campaigned a series of Dragsters titled Bo-Weevil. Ray was and is clearly one of Drag Racing’s legends. Ray initially had Red Dyer driving for him but brought Preston Davis aboard in 1964 when they campaigned the Top Fuel Bo-weevil. Ray and Preston remained close friends for life, teaming up on may projects to include restoring the 4 main cars they campaigned together. There is another shot in the stack of Ray talking to Bennie Osborne. I had others of Garlits, Jim Walthers, and others coming by to say hello to Ray. My Dad and I were guests of Preston and Ray that weekend.

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