Henderson, NC – Drag racing announcer and historian Bret Kepner may have called it best, “Weis was a racer’s racer and a promoter’s promoter.  One of the true pioneers of the sport and a huge influence on drag racing in the East, he, like so many others in the room is a living legend of the sport.”  Dan Weis’ 50 plus year career in the sport of drag racing was capped off with an exclamation mark in October when he joined the ranks of the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame. 

“This is the biggest thing to happen to me.  I certainly would not be here without the support of my family and friends and my faith in the Lord,” remarked Weis accepting his award. 

Some career highlights from his storied 5 decades in the sport include:

As a Promoter:

-         Operated the first NHRA sanctioned dragstrip in the East at the Petersburg Airfield in 1957 for three seasons.  This track was the 19^th sanctioned dragstrip in the United States.

-         Moved operations for 3 more years to the Emporia Airfield.

-         While operating the Emporia track, also ran a dragstrip in Tappahannock, VA for one racing season.

-         Leased and operated Colonial Beach Dragway in 1965 and 1966

-         Designed and constructed Richmond Dragway and have been in continuous operation for 45 seasons. 

o       Richmond Dragway hosted the NASCAR Drag Division Spring Nationals for 2 seasons drawing the top names in the sport.

-         Served as a member of the Board of Directors for NASCAR Drag Division.

As a Racer:

-         Constructed an A Roadster campaigned in 1955-56

-         Built a B Gas Dragster to be raced beginning in 1960

o       Held the B Gas Dragster NHRA National Record from 1961-63

-         Raced an A Fuel Dragster in 64, 65, and 66.

o       The first A Fuel Dragster (unblown) to exceed 200 mph.

-         In 1964, raced an A Altered Opel and held the NASCAR DD National Record

o       154 mph recorded at Daytona, FL.

-         Operated one of Richmond’s first Speed Shops out of Lakeside Auto

As you can see, Weis had a long career in this sport and the tradition continues as Richmond Dragway celebrated 46 years of operation in 2008.  Richmond Dragway and Dan Weis have hosted literally all of the biggest and best names in the sport and he even raced against a few of them in his heyday.