Pete Robinson (drag racer)

Lew Russell Robinson (June 2, 1933 – February 6, 1971[1]), nicknamed "Sneaky Pete", was an American drag racer.

[7] It was the focus on weight reduction that prompted him to switch to a 289 cu in (4,740 cc) Cobra engine, which was 50 lb (23 kg) lighter than the Chevrolet.

[11] At the 1962 NHRA Winternationals, Robinson reached the semi-final in Top Eliminator before being defeated by eventual event winner Nelson.

[15] Relying on a new 427 cu in (7,000 cc) Ford "Cammer", he reached TF/D final the 1965 Springnationals at Bristol Motor Speedway, being eliminated by Maynard Rupp.

[23] He eliminated Kalitta in round one and Wayne Burt in the semi-final,[24] before defeating Dave Beebe in the final[25] with a 7.17 second pass.

[33] Opening the 1969 season, Robinson returned to Beeline, qualifying #30 for the AHRA Winter Nationals, in a field that included Goldstein (the eventual winner), Hoover, Karamesines, Prudhomme, Kalitta, and Dixon.

[34] The AHRA Spring Nationals featured a field of sixteen, again hosting Goldstein (once more the eventual winner), Karamesines, and Prudhomme; Robinson qualified #15.

[38] Robinson won TF/D at the Summernationals, at York U.S. 30 Dragway in Thomasville, Pennsylvania,[39] by beating Jim Nicoll in the final[40] It earned him US$7250.

[43] Robinson attended the 1970 NHRA World Finals at DIMS, in Lewisville, Texas; it was won by Ronnie Martin.

[45] Following his successful 1970 season, now being the only driver left running a 427 Cammer, and having lost factory support, Robinson decided to retire and concentrate on building lightweight casings for superchargers, differentials, and similar components.

[49] At the first ANRA Grand American Series event of the 1971 season, Robinson clocked the quickest pass of his career, a 6.50, in the new car, and decided to enter at the 1971 Winternats, only three weeks away.

[51] On a subsequent pass, the chassis twisted, causing the front tires to separate from the rims; Robinson, in the right lane, hit the guardrail, and the car broke in pieces.