Thread: T Bucket-Start

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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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