Gary Dyer

{{short description|American businessman and drag racer}} {{Infobox racing driver | name = Gary Dyer | image = | image_size =  | caption = | nationality = | full_name = | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1934}} | birth_place = Mankato, Minnesota, U.S. | death_date =  | death_place = | retired =  | relatives =  | last_series =  | years_active = 1964–1974 | teams = Marauders, Inc. (1963–1964) Grand Spaulding (1964–1974) | starts = | wins = | poles = | fastest_laps =  | best_finish =  | year =  | prev_series =  | prev_series_years = | titles = Cavalcade of Stars | title_years = 1969 | awards = International Drag Racing Hall of Fame Biloxi Dragway Hall of Fame Drag Racing Hall of Fame Mopar Hall of Fame | award_years = 2025 2020 2020 2020 }} '''Gary Dyer''' (born 1934)<ref>{{cite news|last=Nguyen|first=Justin|url=https://131offroad.com/2025/03/11/gary-dyer-among-2025-international-drag-racing-hall-of-fame-inductees/|title=Gary Dyer among 2025 International Drag Racing Hall of Fame inductees|publisher=131 Off-Road|date=March 11, 2025|access-date=March 11, 2025}}</ref> is an American businessman and drag racing driver. He was one of the discipline's most notable drivers in the 1960s, who developed the Funny Car class.

His company, Dyer's Machine Service Inc., builds supercharger kits for cars under the Dyer's Blowers name.

==Career== While attending Argo Community High School in Summit, Illinois, Dyer and his friends John Farkonas and Pat Minick expressed interest in drag racing. Dyer purchased a 1956 Chevrolet shortly after graduation, and the three began racing on a decommissioned airstrip in Half Day, Illinois that had been converted into a quarter-mile drag strip.<ref name="When the Smoke Clears">{{cite magazine|last=Stenquist|first=Paul|url=https://www.hotrod.com/news/smoke-clears-remembering-funny-car-driver-pat-minick/|title=When the Smoke Clears: Remembering Funny Car Driver Pat Minick|magazine=Hot Rod|date=February 1, 2018|access-date=November 20, 2024}}</ref> He also drove a Ford coupe with a Cadillac engine at local tracks and other gas-powered coupes.<ref name="NHRA">{{cite news|last=Waldron|first=Alex|url=https://www.nhra.com/news/2016/gary-dyer|title=Gary Dyer|publisher=National Hot Rod Association|date=July 14, 2016|access-date=September 15, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-rock-island-argus-engine-woes-haunt/159332914/|title=Engine Woes Haunt Rivals Of '62 Champ|newspaper=The Rock Island Argus|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 27, 1962|access-date=November 19, 2024}}</ref>

In late 1963, Dyer started racing an A/FX (A/Factory Experimental) Mercury Comet from Marauders, Inc., an auto club in Chicago run by Edward Rachanski.<ref name="Ex-Berwyn Drag Racer">{{cite news|last=O'Gara|first=Sean|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/berwyn-life-ex-berwyn-drag-racer-capture/159337792/|title=Ex-Berwyn Drag Racer Captures World's Record|newspaper=Berwyn Life|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 30, 1964|access-date=November 19, 2024}}</ref><ref name="NHRA" /> With the Comet, he set the world record for fastest time in a Super Stock drag racer when he reached {{convert|130.44|mph|km/h}} in 10.75 seconds down Oswego Drag Raceway; his previous best with the Comet was 128 mph in 11.02 seconds at Lake Geneva Raceway.<ref name="Ex-Berwyn Drag Racer" />

Dyer befriended Dodge dealer Norman "Mr. Norm" Kraus in the summer of 1964, who fielded cars in the Super Stock class but wished to move into FX racing because he did not want to compete against his customers at Grand Spaulding dealership.<ref name="Remembering Mr. Norm">{{cite news|url=https://www.dodgegarage.com/news/article/showcase/2022/12/remembering-mr-norm-2.html|title=Remembering Mr. Norm!|work=DodgeGarage|date=December 9, 2022|access-date=November 19, 2024}}</ref> The partnership reunited him with Farkonas and Minick, who raced for Grand Spaulding in Super Stock.<ref name="When the Smoke Clears" /> Dyer and Kraus developed the "Flying Ram", a supercharged 1965 Dodge that had an altered wheelbase and an injected engine.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/belvidere-daily-republican-sep22-1965/87994364/|title=Flying Ram|newspaper=Belvidere Daily Republican|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 22, 1965|access-date=November 19, 2024}}</ref> The car's supercharger and engine were built by Dyer.<ref name="Dyer's Blowers">{{cite web|url=http://www.dyersblowers.com/178/index.html|title=Company Info Page|work=Dyer's Blowers|access-date=November 20, 2024}}</ref> It originally used gasoline before switching to nitromethane, which increased its performance to match that of the superior Mercury cars.<ref name="Serious Business">{{cite news|last=Stenquist|first=Paul|url=https://www.hagerty.com/media/automotive-history/the-serious-business-of-the-funny-car-engine-wars/|title=The Serious Business of the Funny Car Engine Wars|publisher=Hagerty|date=June 13, 2024|access-date=November 20, 2024}}</ref>

At the end of 1965, Dyer acquired an altered-wheelbase Dodge Coronet, nicknamed "Color Me Gone", from Roger Lindamood.<ref name="Serious Business" />{{sfn|Boyce|2020|p=180}} Dyer installed a new engine and upgraded the chassis, greatly improving its pace.<ref name="Serious Business" /> It was one of the sport's early examples of a Funny Car, setting the fastest time among such cars in 1965 at Lions Drag Strip of 8.63 seconds at {{convert|163|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Iowa Driver Sets Drag Series Record">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-rock-island-argus-iowa-driver-sets-d/159338030/|title=Iowa Driver Sets Drag Series Record|newspaper=The Rock Island Argus|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 28, 1965|access-date=November 19, 2024}}</ref><ref name="NHRA" />

Since Dyer drove a Dodge, he was involved in feuds with drivers from rival manufacturers throughout the 1960s, particularly Arnie Beswick and Don Gay from Pontiac.<ref name="Serious Business" /><ref name="Beswick Benefit">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/quad-city-times-drag-race-program-as-bes/159384443/|title=Drag Race Program As Beswick Benefit|newspaper=Quad-City Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 13, 1972|access-date=November 20, 2024}}</ref> He and Beswick were scheduled to race each other for the first time at the 1965 World Series of Drag Racing, though Dyer withdrew due to a rear axle problem.<ref name="Iowa Driver Sets Drag Series Record" /><ref>{{cite book|last=Schild|first=Jim|title=Maximum Performance: Mopar Super Stock Drag Racing 1962–1969|publisher=MotorBooks International|date=2006|isbn=1610590694|page=99}}</ref> Future matchups across the decade prompted Dyer to proclaim he would "put that Pontiac-driving farmer right back on his tractor."<ref name="Serious Business" /> Kraus was also outspoken about Beswick, leading to a "spirited rivalry" between him and Gay;<ref>{{cite news|last=Young|first=Bruce|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/independent-hot-drag-racing-rivalry-satu/159384361/|title=Hot Drag Racing Rivalry Saturday Night at Strip|newspaper=Long Beach Independent|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 12, 1965|access-date=November 20, 2024}}</ref> although Dyer directly faced Gay in races, Kraus' name was typically featured on promotional material that highlighted the feud.<ref name="Serious Business" /> By 1969, the grudge escalated to where the ''Amarillo Globe-Times'' remarked that Dyer and Kraus would "rather whip Texans (Gay was from League City, Texas) and Pontiacs than Californians and Fords, which are their primary adversaries for the racing dollar."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-amarillo-globe-times-dyer-wants-to-b/159398405/|title=Dyer Wants To Beat Texans and Pontiacs|newspaper=Amarillo Globe-Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 22, 1969|access-date=November 20, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Ruiz|first=Rosanna|url=https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/don-gay-drag-racing-legend-laid-to-rest-1824495.php|title=Don Gay, drag-racing legend, laid to rest|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|date=July 4, 2007|access-date=November 20, 2024}}</ref>

A new Charger-bodied Funny Car designed by Dyer and built by Race Car Specialties under the direction of Frank Huszar, nicknamed the "Mini Charger" because it was ten inches narrower than the stock model, was introduced for the 1968 season.<ref name="Remembering Mr. Norm" /> The rear end broke during a practice run at its debut round at Cordova Dragway.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-dispatch-loehrs-mustang-shatters-co/159382662/|title=Loehr's Mustang Shatters Cordova 'Funny Car' Marks|newspaper=The Dispatch|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 6, 1968|access-date=November 20, 2024}}</ref> In June, the Mini Charger won three times in a row at KK Sports Arena, where he also set the track record of 7.76 seconds.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent/113599024/|title='Funny Cars' Clash Today|newspaper=The Post-Crescent|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 23, 1968|access-date=November 20, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/herald-times-reporter/113599190/|title=Kolodzeske Cops Honors at KK Track|newspaper=The Herald Times Reporter|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 24, 1968|access-date=November 20, 2024}}</ref> However, it was destroyed in a fire at 30 Dragway when an oil filter broke off the engine following a 7.47-second run at {{convert|196|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Remembering Mr. Norm" /> He underwent eight months of treatment for burns, during which Kenny Stafford replaced him.<ref name="Sponsor Lends Respectability" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Burgess|first=Phil|url=https://www.nhra.com/news/2018/chicago-s-hometown-fuelers|title=Chicago's Hometown Fuelers|publisher=National Hot Rod Association|date=May 31, 2018|access-date=November 20, 2024}}</ref>

Dyer and Kraus developed a new Charger for 1969 that used a chassis from Logghe Stamping Company, dubbed "Band Aid" to hide a newly attached front end.<ref name="Remembering Mr. Norm" /> Competing in the Coca-Cola Funny Car Cavalcade of Stars, Dyer won 11 races and the championship.{{sfn|Boyce|2020|p=323}} He also recorded track records at Lebanon Valley Dragway (7.26 seconds) and KK Sports Arena (7.43 seconds).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-macon-news-funny-cars-set-battle/159398497/|title=Funny Cars Set Battle|newspaper=The Macon News|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 27, 1969|access-date=November 20, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Verhagen|first=Tom|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent/114884098/|title=Dyer Turns Record At KK Drag Races|newspaper=The Post-Crescent|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 23, 1969|access-date=November 20, 2024}}</ref> During the year, Dyer established Dyer's Blowers to build superchargers for drag racing teams; he previously received automotive aftermarket parts from the West Coast, but high costs and shipping delays to the Midwest prompted him to start his own company.<ref name="NHRA" />

Dyer semi-retired from racing in 1970 to focus on his business before resuming his career the following year.<ref name="Funny Cars are most popular" /><ref name="Quick to Make Friends">{{cite magazine|last=Stenquist|first=Paul|url=https://www.hotrod.com/features/quick-make-friends-reach-finish-line-road-king-kenny-safford-drag-racing-royalty/|title=Quick to Make Friends and Reach the Finish Line, Road King Kenny Safford was Drag-Racing Royalty|magazine=Hot Rod|date=May 18, 2017|access-date=November 20, 2024}}</ref> For the 1971 and 1972 seasons, he raced a Dodge Challenger Funny Car from Krause that ran as quick as {{convert|237.46|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. Dyer later became the Challenger's crew chief for Safford.<ref name="Remembering Mr. Norm" />{{sfn|Boyce|2020|p=363}} He also ran a Hemi Colt Pro Stock in races outside of the National Hot Rod Association sanction, where such cars were illegal.<ref name="Remembering Mr. Norm" />

Dyer retired for good after 1973 to prioritize Dyer's Blowers.<ref name="NHRA" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dyersblowers.com/Product%20Info.html|title=Dyer's Blowers|access-date=November 20, 2024}}</ref> Also known as Dyer's Machine Service Inc., the company was originally headquartered in Bridgeview before moving to a larger facility in Summit when he retired.<ref name="Dyer's Blowers" />

==Legacy== Dyer is regarded as a pioneer in Funny Car racing.<ref name="NHRA" /> ''The Plain Dealer'' wrote in 1971, "The Funny Car, as it is called in the jargon of Drag Racing fans, was the brainchild of Gary Dyer from Chicago, who had no way of knowing his creation would enjoy the greatest popularity of all drag racing divisions."<ref name="Funny Cars are most popular">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-funny-cars-are-most-pop/159338165/|title=Funny Cars are most popular dragsters|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 28, 1971|access-date=November 19, 2024}}</ref>

Kraus described Dyer as "a genius" with "golden hands, a golden mind. Everything he touched, he was a very dedicated, responsible car guy."<ref name="Remembering Mr. Norm" /> Their 1965 Dodge was not considered by Greg Zyla as a "real" Funny Car, which did not start appearing until 1966, though was a precursor to the category.<ref>{{cite news|last=Zyla|first=Greg|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-mountain-eagle/159384501/|title=Racing|newspaper=The Mountain Eagle|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 27, 2003|access-date=November 20, 2024}}</ref> The Dodge, along with other cars in the class, grew in popularity for their resemblance to stock drag racers while being as fast as dragsters.<ref name="Beswick Benefit" /> Dyer explained in 1969 that Funny Cars are beloved by fans because "they can identify with them even though they're altered. A guy sits in the stands and he hollers, 'Hey, there goes a Ford just like mine.'"<ref name="Sponsor Lends Respectability">{{cite news|last=Hudspeth|first=Ron|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-sponsor-lends-respec/159398538/|title=Sponsor Lends Respectability to Drags|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 25, 1969|access-date=November 20, 2024}}</ref>

In 2020, Dyer was inducted into the Drag Racing Hall of Fame, Biloxi Dragway's Hall of Fame, and Mopar Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://drhof.com/2011-2020%20Inductee%20List.html|title=Honoring the great Drag Racers of the day from 1900 to 1973|work=Drag Racing Hall of Fame|access-date=November 19, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.biloxidragway.com/hall-of-fame-list|title=Hall of Fame List|work=Biloxi Dragway|access-date=November 19, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.themoparhalloffame.com/index.php?dispatch=categories.view&category_id=155|title=2020 Inductees|work=Mopar Hall of Fame|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205120322/https://www.themoparhalloffame.com/index.php?dispatch=categories.view&category_id=155|archive-date=December 5, 2021}}</ref> He was also part of the 2025 class for the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing's International Drag Racing Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://garlits.com/hall-of-fame/|title=Hall of Fame|work=Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing|access-date=November 19, 2024}}</ref>

==Personal life== Dyer was born and raised in Mankato, Minnesota, before moving to Illinois.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gilbert|first=John|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-dyer-hopes-return-is-happy/159379853/|title=Dyer hopes return is happy one|newspaper=Minnesota Star Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 13, 1971|access-date=November 19, 2024}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==Further reading== *{{cite book|last=Boyce|first=Doug|title=Drag Racing in the 1960s: The Evolution in Race Car Technology|isbn=978-1-61325-582-7|publisher=CarTech Books|date=2020}}

==External links== * [http://www.dyersblowers.com/ Dyer's Blowers official website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dyer, Gary}} Category:Living people Category:1934 births Category:American businesspeople in manufacturing Category:Dragster drivers Category:NHRA drivers Category:Racing drivers from Minnesota Category:Sportspeople from Mankato, Minnesota