Larry Carrier
Carrier founded and served as President of the International Drag Racing Association from 1970 through 1987. He was responsible for influencing R.J. Reynolds (Winston) to become heavily involved in professional drag racing because of his longtime friendship with Ralph Seagraves and his association with NASCAR. During his tenure as IHRA president, the IHRA introduced a multitude of original concepts that are still used today such as: preschedule pro qualifying sessions with alternating lanes, free admission for professional entries, cable television coverage of drag events (ESPN was introduced to the drag racing circuit), titanium bellhousings fuel cars, blower restraints for supercharged cars, and “Mountain Motor” pro stock engines. Larry was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame because of his outstanding contributions to both drag racing and NASCAR racing.