Gene Snow

Gene Snow was an American racing driver who pioneered funny cars in the 1960s, '70s, and '80s, bringing innovations such as a direct drive system using multiple clutches when rivals were still using automatic transmissions based on those used in production models.

This led to him taking racing more seriously, driving a 1958 Chevy Impala with a 409 Cubic Inch Chevrolet "W-Block" engine made famous by the Beach Boys in their song, "409".

As the 1960s progressed, Snow developed innovations such as stretching the wheelbase to improve handling, which lead to several class wins in 1966–'67.

Snow said, astonished: "The sea level location gave us extra horsepower, and we went 200.88 mph on the first pass.

By the late 1970s, Snow took a sabbatical due to costs as a result of the 1970s oil crisis and the political situation in the Middle East that precipitated it, along with sub-par seasons, returning in 1981 to race in the Top Fuel class.

Snow's racing achievements have been overshadowed by allegations that he molested a male fan he met at a dragstrip in 1987.