Long-time race car driver and track manager Bob Strauss, of Lucerne, was inducted into the Lakeport Speedway / NCRA Hall of Fame at the Lakeport Speedway Saturday night, May 13 during the 15th annual NCRA Founder”s Cup race. Strauss was called up into the grandstand after winning the trophy dash in his No. 11 modified to receive his award. A very shocked Strauss said he was “very surprised and blown away” when he learned that he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. “Most of the other members of the Hall of Fame are great friends of mine,” Strauss said. “And I”m very proud to be a part of their group.” Strauss has been a member of Northern California Racing Association since 1968. He began his racing career in 1969 in a $159 Claimer sharing driving duties with his brother-in-law, Jack Humphrey and his friend Lawrence Frazier. Strauss”s next car was another 1959 Plymouth that was painted green with purple flames. It was known as the “bat-mobile.” The following year his paint scheme was exactly the opposite 9 a purple car with green flames. From the very beginning, Strauss has sported No. 11 on his race car. Strauss graduated to the stock car division in 1973 and earned “rookie of the year” honors that season. He won his first championship in 1974 and was honored as the Lakeport Speedway champion, the Ukiah Speedway champion and the overall NCRA champion. Strauss”s other championships came in 1976, 1977, 1980 and 1989 in the super stock division and in 1993, 1996 and 2003 he was champion in the modified division. Strauss introduced the IMCA modified to the state of California in 1989 and started the class the following year, which has become the premiere division at Lakeport Speedway. He also developed the L.A. Cruiser class and was the one responsible for bringing the “boat races” to Lakeport Speedway. Strauss has driven almost every type of race car at Lakeport Speedway and other race tracks, including a Thunder Roadster last weekend. He raced Floyd Alvis” midget, Fred Kohlmeier”s super modified, George Beavis” legend car, as well as his own, Lloyd Burton”s sprint car, a formula vee car, Brian Yates” 1938 nostalgic car and the list goes on. In the pits Strauss is known as “Doctor Bob.” He offers advice, loans parts and lends a helping hand to anyone who needs his help. Strauss served 12 years on the NCRA board of directors before taking over the Lakeport Speedway track management. He and his wife Nadine were voted RPM Promoters of the year in 2003. Although it has been hard on him, he still takes care of the track maintenance and is currently driving both a modified and an L.A. Cruiser 9 and he will be 62-years-old on July 1. Strauss is the 10th person to be inducted into the Lakeport Speedway Hall of Fame. He joins the ranks of Jim McKinney, Gus Schnabl; NCRA founding fathers Jim Daniel, Ted Neilson, Vic Henry, Bill Robison, Bill Deschamp and Darrell Billups. Long-time speedway supporter Bill McVey was the last inductee in 2004. Editor”s Note: Nadine Strauss is the promotional director and track manager at Lakeport Speedway.
