Print, Photographic

Photograph

-

Shanaman Sports Museum

Name/Title

Print, Photographic

Entry/Object ID

1986

Description

Pat Austin, seen in this photo holding a U.S. National Fuel Champion trophy and medal around his neck, was a Tacoma native who was also an outstanding athlete at Franklin Pierce High School before finding his way onto a race track. Austin won two state shot-put championships but is best known as one of the most accomplished drag racers in the sport’s history. Austin was named the National Hot Rod Association’s 13th best driver in its 50-year history and the best driver of his generation. Austin won four NHRA world championships, 75 NHRA national event titles and ranks fourth on its all-time victory list. Austin won 90 percent of the races he entered in the Northwest. He was also the first driver to clock a 250-mile per hour run in an Alcohol Funny Car. Before retiring, Austin competed in the Federal-Mogul Funny Car category and was a 16-time world record holder. Austin was inducted into the Washington Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. Photo donated by Pat Austin.

Lexicon

Search Terms

Motorsports, autoracing, Professional/Semi-pro

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Austin, Pat

Person or Organization

U.S. National Fuel Championship

Person or Organization

National Hot Rod Association

Person or Organization

Tacoma

Person or Organization

Franklin Pierce High School

Person or Organization

Alcohol Funny Car

Person or Organization

Federal-Mogul Funny Car

Person or Organization

Washington Sports Hall of Fame