Over the past couple of days, the nostalgia drag racing community has been reeling from the news that Iron Mike Boyd, owner and driver of the famed Winged Express fuel altered, has died. Mike started driving the Winged Express in 1994, after a series of drivers after Willie Borsch and then John Zendejas passed during its recreation. Both were slated to drive the car, but when they passed car owner Al Marcellus partnered up with Mike Boyd who would become the caretaker and driver of the Winged Express. Technically this was the 3rd Winged Express, but was as accurate and entertaining as could be.
I had the pleasure of seeing the Winged Express run many times over my life, most often at the March Meet and California Hot Rod Reunion events at Famoso Raceway, and can tell you that it was always a riot. Mike Boyd channeled the late Wild Willie Borsch in every way, and I’m sure Willie was looking down and smiling each and every pass.
Like Willie, Mike was a quiet guy, but he cared about the car and the fans. Mike was often described as a gentle giant for the way he took care of his younger fans. Kids loved the car and Mike somehow connected with them and often had them sitting on tires, in the seat, etc. He was an entertainer, and a racer, and was very vocal about the fact that nothing he’d ever driven compared to the adrenaline rush he got in the Wing.
This video was shot during our broadcast of the California Hot Rod Reunion many years ago now, and will go down as the most famous Winged Express Burnout of all time. He did many, many, many burnouts in that car and most of them were longer than this one, but when it gets out of shape a real driver handles it and handle it he did.
Mike Boyd, thanks for the entertainment, for the ambassadorship, and for the will to keep the Winged Express alive with Al Marcellus.
RIP Mike Boyd, God Speed
RIP Mike. I remember watching that stream live, and I was jumping up and down! Mike and “the Wing” were entertainment at its finest.
A shock to see Mike died. He wasn’t really old, what happened?
I’ve seen him many times and never would miss when he made a pass in that car. Wheels still in the air at 1000 feet, sideways at half track or even just a good straight six second pass it was always worth watching and Mike and Mousie were always welcoming in the pits.
RIP Mike. I was there at Famoso when the posted video was shot. Needless to say we all went “oh no!” when he crossed over behind the other altered and then we all went nuts when he squeaked by him, went back into his lane, backed up and then made his pass. Wildest thing I have ever seen live at the track.
A friend of mine who knew Al “Mousie” Marcellus told me in 2009 that Mike was battling cancer. Never would have suspected it by the way he looked and went about his job.
RIP Mike
You will be missed.
May the Good Lord bless and comfort his loved ones. Count me as one who witnessed many thrilling runs at Bakersfield including this burn out.
Yup, I too was watching the BS Livestream when that happened:) Never a dull moment when the Altereds are on the track!!
The most insane cars ever piloted.
I have a print of a shot of WWB crossing the finish line in his altered.
Wheels up, counter steered and about 2′ from the edge of the track, and still full on the throttle.
RIP Mike. You’ll be missed, and you were one hell of a driver.
Can you send a pic of that print
I understand the undertaker couldn’t close the casket because of his enormous balls. Was anyone on this planet more capable of handling the Wing? Doubtful.
God Bless You Mike and Godspeed. Mike, myself and Mark all went to the same high school and worked out together every day in Mark’s garage. He was such a love giant of a man, always cool under pressure, super quick wit. As I recall, his Dad drove the “Wild Turkey.” He’d take that out on residential streets for practice burnouts, always to our delight. What a loss. I love You Mike!
Todd Citron. Titus 2:13. One Day Closer
What a guy, what an entertainer, what an awesome person.
Mike was battling the odds and lived every day to the fullest.
He is up there with Al & Willie now talking over what to do on the next pass.
Thanks for the memories.
Vaya Con Dios Mike Boyd.