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The Lyn St. James Foundation recognized the late
Barbara Parks’ achievements in the world of
NHRA drag racing today by presenting the Mildred
Marcum Pioneer Award in her honor during the fourth
annual Women in the Winner’s Circle luncheon
at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Mrs. Parks, wife of NHRA founder Wally Parks and
a driving force behind the early successes of the
54-year-old sanctioning body, succumbed to cancer
in late January after a long battle with the
devastating illness. In contrast to the many women
who take the much deserved spotlight as a result of
their untiring efforts to contribute to the
progress of automotive hobbies and racing, Mrs.
Parks, by her own choice remained in the
background. But she was a force — an
important, determined and very creative influence
— in the earliest days of the founding of hot
rodding and, of course, the National Hot Rod
Association and championship drag racing.
She was active to the end, remaining at her
husband’s side as he pursued with painstaking
effectiveness the efficient operation of an NHRA
museum, a monument to the sport’s illustrious
history and a showcase of the archival record of
NHRA drag racing. Many of the features showcased in
the museum, now named for its founder as The Wally
Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, are the product of
Barbara’s vision, creativeness and
talents.
The Mildred Marcum Pioneer Award annually
recognizes the achievements of a woman who through
her passion and dedication for many years,
demonstrates how much women have contributed to the
motorsports industry.
NHRA President Tom Compton accepted the
prestigious award and read a statement from
Barbara’s devoted husband, who was unable to
attend the event.
“On behalf of Barbara and all of us at
NHRA, let me express our genuine appreciation for
this premium recognition and for the years of
friendship she enjoyed among you – especially
here in Indianapolis,” Wally Parks said in the
statement. “She was a trooper – totally
dedicated to a very special sport’s
advancements in which the ladies have been active
in important roles since day one. As she often
pointed out, it was the people involved – not
the race cars – that she appreciated most in
five decades with NHRA. Thank you for honoring her
memory with this very special tribute.”
Said Compton: “On behalf of Wally and the
entire NHRA family, we want to thank Lyn St. James
and the Lyn St. James Foundation for recognizing
Barbara’s immeasurable contribution to the
sport and honoring her with the Mildred Marcum
Pioneer Award as part of the Women in the
Winner’s Circle Luncheon. The entire NHRA
family owes a tremendous amount of thanks to
Barbara Parks for what she accomplished and her
influence on the sport will be
everlasting.”
Related Issue:
Women
Racers
Directory,
Women
in Racing,
Women
Racers,
More
Women in
Racing,
Race
Schedules,
Notable
Women
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