Gordon Mineo (June 19, 1945Dallasnews.com (retrieved 3 October 2018)-September 3, 2006), nicknamed "Flash Gordon", was a Top Fuel Funny Car driver.
Mineo was born in Detroit, Michigan, son of Joseph and Lorraine Mineo.Dallasnews.com (retrieved 3 October 2018)
Mineo started racing Funny Cars in the 1960s and continued to race until the 1990s.Washington Post online (retrieved 3 October 2018)
Mineo's first national Funny Car event was the 1970 AHRA Winter Nationals at Beeline Dragway in Scottsdale, Arizona; he qualified his Pontiac Firebird funny car #10, but was eliminated in the first round by #7 qualifier Tom "Mongoo$e McEwen. Ultimateracinghistory (retrieved 3 October 2018) (Mineo earned US$400 for the effort. Ultimateracinghistory (retrieved 3 October 2018))
At the 1971 AHRA Winter Nationals, Mineo qualified #21 in a and was eliminated in round there by Dick Rosberg, who qualified #17. Ultimateracinghistory (retrieved 3 October 2018)
In 1972, Mineo attended the AHRA National Challenge at Tulsa Raceway Park in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He qualified #21 and lost in round one to #5 qualifier Don "The Snake" Prudhomme. Ultimateracinghistory (retrieved 3 October 2018) (Mineo earned US$500 for this effort. Ultimateracinghistory (retrieved 3 October 2018))
At the 1973 NHRA Supernationals, in Ontario, California, Mineo qualified #9 in his 1973 Chevrolet Vega; he again lost in round one to Prudhomme, who qualified his 1973 Plymouth Barracuda #1. Ultimateracinghistory (retrieved 3 October 2018)
Mineo returned to Scottsdale in 1974, qualifying #8 at the AHRA Winter Nationals. Ultimateracinghistory (retrieved 3 October 2018) The same year, he attended an ANRA event at Green Valley Raceway in Smithfield, Texas. Ultimateracinghistory (retrieved 3 October 2018)
Mineo went back to Beeline Dragway for the 1977 AHRA Winter Nationals, qualifying #4; he was eliminated by #12 qualifier Dale Armstrong in the first round. Ultimateracinghistory (retrieved 3 October 2018) At the 1977 NHRA Springnationals, Mineo qualified #14, only to lose to #6 qualifier (and eventual event class winner) Bob Pickett in the first round. Ultimateracinghistory (retrieved 3 October 2018)
Mineo never won an NHRA or AHRA national event.Washington Post online (retrieved 3 October 2018) He was also featured in a famous photo, being punched by fellow funny car racer Ed "The Ace" McCulloch.Burgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "Ed McCulloch: Roaring down Memory Lane", written 8 September 2017, at NHRA.com (retrieved 3 October 2018)
Mineo was killed in a boating accident on Lake Texoma, in Oklahoma, on 3 September 2006, along with his wife, Ann, age 59, Myra Gibson, 51; Amy Lane, 31; and Justin R. Lane, 25. Mineo was 61.Washington Post online (retrieved 3 October 2018)
Mineo was buried at Rest Haven Memorial Park, Rockwall, Texas.Dallasnews.com (retrieved 3 October 2018)
Mineo had two children, Jason and Trisha.Dallasnews.com (retrieved 3 October 2018)
Notes
External links Plainview Daily online Jalopy Journal