Jim Tice
A World War II bomber pilot and ex-drag racer, Jim formed the American Hot Rod Association in 1956. His marketing knowledge and understanding of drag racing were responsible for huge gains in the sport. Among the many innovations attributed to Tice were the use of the Christmas Tree starting system in both full and pro-styles, the addition of Funny Car Eliminator, the creation of Super Stock (later Pro Stock), the first points-based World Championship Series, and the pursuit of major sponsorship with larger more realistic purses for both racers and the AHRA series.