In motorsports it is always cool when there is crossover from traditional sports heroes, right? In today’s world of drag racing there is former NBA player Tom Hammonds, there is current NFL super star Fletcher Cox, Antron Brown got his start in professional drag racing through his familial relationship with NFL player Troy Vincent, and the stories go on and on. Just about the coolest one of all happened in the 1980s when NFL QB Dan Pastorini retired and realized a life-long dream of racing a top fuel dragster. Not only did Pastorini race, he actually won, collecting a Top Fuel Wally in Atlanta during a career weekend.
This video from the 1980s TV show, “The Exciting World of Speed and Beauty” profiles Pastorini as a player and as a racer. It’s pretty awesome and gives more insight into his approach and love for the sport than many pieces did back then. We find out that he’s been a racer since he was a kid, owned a Chevelle in college, and has always aspired to do this. There’s even a thrash section of the video where the team has to swap a dud piston in 15 minutes before running the car.
A truly cool personality profile on a truly cool racer and guy. The Quarterback Sneak in all its glory here!
