With all of the recent talk about multi-million dollar NHRA sponsorships drying up and money funneling away from top level professional drag racing, it is easy to forget that there are guys out there doing this stuff on their own. In our estimation, the greatest family in nitro racing that’s been doing it their own way since the late 1950s is the Lagana family. Lead by their patriarch, Bobby Sr. these guys flat know how to get it done as a privateer operation. Recently, at US 131 Dragway in Martin, Michigan Dom Lagana, while being tuned by his brother Bobby ran the first 330mph lap in IHRA top fuel history and they did it with a car they match race and run as hard and frequently as possible to pay the bills. These are guys who race for a living and have raced for a living as a family for decades.
One of the coolest things I have ever had the chance to announce was the first pair of bothers to run a side by side 300mph top fuel pass and the feat was accomplished by Bobby and Dom a few years back at a match race on the quarter mile at New England Dragway in Epping, NH. Bobby Sr. was there and the man was literally floating on air as the scoreboards lit up, the place went crazy, and the two brothers cried happy tears at the far end of the track. It was beyond awesome because the Laganas are a family that’s easy to root for. These are the guys who used to haul their top fueler atop a Ford ramp truck with the nose sticking out over the cab like ground to air anti-aircraft missile. They’d park that deal right in the sea of tractor trailers and go mix it up with the best of them. This is but one of the million reasons that the Laganas are multi-generational nitro racing heroes. They have felt the glory of victory and the literal agony of wreckage together.
Bobby Sr. has walked with a limp for some time and Bobby Jr’s hands show the effects of a violent crash years ago. But still, they soldier on. They run hard. They continue to set records and do it on a budget that some NHRA teams wouldn’t make six weeks with on just tires alone. Sr had cars like the Chevoco which was a Comet A/FX machine powered by a Chevy engine. He had the American Challenger funny car, and then he began with a string of funny cars and dragsters known as the “Twilight Zone” that were his calling card for decades.
Word has been circulating as of late that Bobby Sr isn’t doing so hot. We’re sure his boy’s great performance in Martin at US 131 lifted his spirits. While we don’t know the specifics of his condition we have heard that it is serious and that prompted us to write this about the guy that we’ve loved to root for and his awesome kids who have been upholding the family name in spectacular ways over the years.
All we’re asking is that you send some positive vibes Bobby Sr’s way in whatever method you choose to do so with. We’re a non-denominational enterprise here when it comes to this stuff.
HERE SOME VIDEO OF DOM LAGANA TUNED BY HIS BROTHER BOBBY RUNNING 330MPH IN MICHIGAN RECENTLY!
Done!
all the best keep on racing
A few years ago, I saw Bobby running at 131. They had the ramp-over truck there, and a mini van for support. Pretty sure they made their first 5 second run that night, or their first run over 300, one or the other. Crowd went nuts! Super nice people too. My thoughts and prayers for Bobby Lagana Sr.
Bobby Sr. a a local guy to my family, Dover Drag Strip was all of our home. Cool guys, I met Bobby Jr. for the first time a few years ago at a Dover Reunion icebreaker up in Wingdale, N.Y. Real racers, this bunch.
My family will pray for Sr.’s recovery, and his families strength!
If it wasn’t for people like Bobby Sr there would be no drag racing as we know it today, you are in my prays.
A few guys I know know him from the old days at Dover and around the area. I hope the best for him and I will say a prayer for him.
I, too, remember watching our “local hero”, Bobby Senior up at Dover many times _ back in the good old days!
When “Speed” was still carrying the IHRA , watched Bobby Jr _ and still enjoy watching Dom get better and better when ever they are out there.
Met the Laganas at one of Broadway Bob’s shows, when I was on the Chicago Fire crew. Great people. You didn’t mention that they slept in the trailer to cut expenses. I’ll be praying for you Bobby.
I used to watch the father raced years ago at Etown with the Twilight Zone TF. It was tough watching them race against the high dollar car but he still ran anyway.
Get well Bobby Sr.!
As a grass roots racer, you are an inspiration for me to keep on going even on a limited budget. Best wishes and get well soon. George
Bobby Sr.s in the Hospital for some new Valves & “piston’s” . Close freinds are monitoring his situation and posting at the Dover Tribute site. I had the opportunity while announcing our Dover Nostalgia Drags Aug. 11 at Lebanon to talk to him on a cell phone. He sounded good -still in hospital & all pumped about Dom’s 330. Real legend and innovator ….All reports are he’s recoverying ok. Dino
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing the Lagana family since the 60’s…I’ve raced with Bob Sr. and he is a die hard drag racer…Along with his boys they never say “I can’t” or NO…Bobby Sr. will kick these heart concerns in the ASS………….Love you Lagana family……..Don Kauer..
Please get well soon Mr. Lagana, I have some old nitro funnycar pics and a couple top fue pics of Bobby Lagana Sr. and his Twilight Zone cars, Whatever track we went to that they ran and reguardless who we were with or was with us, I will always hope that the Laganas would prosper at whatever they did and boy is it Awesome when they do! I recently found out about their new record and was thrilled they did it first and was also troubled at the same time that Bobby Sr. is ill, so from all of us to you, God Bless you,your family and may you be healed very quickly!
Its also awesome that they set the record on my birthday weekend just 1 day after my birthday, that’s cool!