Don “the Snake” Prudhomme, one of the most accomplished drivers and revered team owners in the history of motorsports, has announced his retirement, ending a career spanning five decades in drag racing.
Prudhomme's 47-year career featured him behind the wheel for 32 seasons before he retired from driving at the end of his 1994 "Final Strike" campaign. He then transitioned to the role of team owner. Overall, Prudhomme has an impressive combination of six NHRA world championships and 112 national event victories.
“I feel very fortunate to have been able to make a living in drag racing and to have enjoyed some success along the way,” said Prudhomme. “I would like to thank all of the great sponsors we've worked with over the years, everyone at NHRA, the many track owners, operators and promoters, our past employees and team members, and all of the drag racing fans who have supported Snake Racing.”
Said NHRA President Tom Compton, "A true legend in the world of motorsports and one of NHRA's greatest ambassadors and champions, we wish Don 'the Snake' Prudhomme much health and happiness in his retirement. Throughout his nearly 50-year run in NHRA competition, Don elevated the sport with great professionalism, character and an instinct for winning as one of the greatest drivers of all time and later as a prominent team owner.
"On behalf of everyone within the NHRA community, I want to offer our sincere thanks to Don for all he has done to help guide the sport. The NHRA will forever be extremely grateful for his undying passion, commitment to excellence, and long-term dedication to the sport."
Prudhomme's remarkable driving career began in 1962 with his first Top Fuel victory at the Smokers March Meet in Bakersfield, Calif., and ended with 49 NHRA victories – the sixth-most in NHRA history – following his farewell Final Strike tour in 1994. Prudhomme reached the final 68 times, posting a remarkable 35 wins in 45 Funny Car finals (.777 win percentage) and 14 wins in 23 Top Fuel final rounds (.609 win percentage). Overall, he won 389 of 589 rounds of competition for a .660 win percentage.