Roger Garten, veteran driver of the drag racing community, passed away Sunday morning due to injuries suffered in a two-car crash at Auto Club Famoso Raceway’s Saturday Night Nitro event, in Bakersfield, California.
Roger was one of the few Funny Car drivers still racing today who had also competed during the breed's 1970s heyday. He and his partner Mike Tocco's faithful recreation of their 1975 NHRA Division 7 Championship winning Mustang Funny Car was the number three qualifier at the Bakersfield event with a 5.92 elapsed time.
The other driver involved in the accident, Matt Bynum, walked away from the scene without serious injury. Roger is survived by his wife Carlene, their children, grand and great grand children.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and teammates.