Prudhomme Receives Robert E. Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award
The award was announced on Nov. 7 at the SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet...
The Petersen Automotive Museum honored drag racing legend Don “The Snake” Prudhomme with the Robert E. Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award at the SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet on Thursday, Nov. 7. The award was presented by the museum’s executive director, Terry L. Karges.
“Don Prudhomme is a true legend on and off the track and he was a good friend of Robert E. Petersen. ‘The Snake’ is beloved by drag racing diehards and non-racing fans alike, and his achievements have left a lasting legacy in motorsports,” said Karges. “We are proud to celebrate Don with this award and honored to have him as part of our museum family.”
Prudhomme began his career as an NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car driver in 1962, ultimately collecting 49 career wins, placing him fifth in NHRA history. He retired from driving in 1994 to launch Don Prudhomme Racing, earning NHRA Top Fuel championships in 2002 and 2003 with driver Larry Dixon.
Prudhomme was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1991 and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2000. His racing accomplishments are also celebrated in the 2013 movie “Snake and Mongoose,” which focuses on the rivalry between Prudhomme and Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen.
Named after the founder of the Petersen Automotive Museum, previous recipients of the award include Dan Gurney, Art Chrisman, Carroll Shelby, George Barris, Andy Granatelli, The Ford Family, Vic Edelbrock, Jack Roush, Ed Iskenderian, “Speedy” Bill Smith, So-Cal Speed Shop founder Alex Xydias, Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, William Clay Ford Jr., Richard Petty, Wally Parks and Roy Brizio.
