Silverthorne resident named to Drag Racing Hall of Fame
Silverthorne resident Lee Beard has been named to the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame at the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala, Florida.
Beard worked as a crew chief, engine tuner and team manager. He was introduced to drag racing by his industrial arts teacher at Pueblo High School, from which he graduated in 1975.
Beard rose to prominence when he guided Jerry Ruth to a Top Fuel win at the Mile High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, according to a news release. He then worked for some of the most prestigious race teams in the sport, including Hall of Famers Don Schumacher, Kenny Bernstein, Gary Ormsby and fellow 2020 International Drag Racing Hall of Fame inductee Larry Minor.
Beard’s record includes the 1989 National Hot Rod Association Top Fuel World Championship for the late Gary Ormsby, 1992 National Hot Rod Association Funny Car World Championship with Cruz Pedregon at Larry Minor Motorsports (team manager), and 2009 National Hot Rod Association Top Fuel World Championship with Tony Schumacher at Don Schumacher Racing (as team manager).
The induction ceremony is March 12 in Gainesville, Florida.
Support Local Journalism
Support Local Journalism
As a Summit Daily News reader, you make our work possible.
Summit Daily is embarking on a multiyear project to digitize its archives going back to 1989 and make them available to the public in partnership with the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection. The full project is expected to cost about $165,000. All donations made in 2023 will go directly toward this project.
Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a difference.