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Home Features Part II: Linda and some of her men!

Part II: Linda and some of her men! Linda Vaughn as businesswoman Written by Johnny McDonald / Senior Editor   Tuesday, 01 March 2011 No, this is not Linda Vaughn. It's George Hurst, who turned her into a household name! Sports Illustrated once devoted 10 pages to Linda Vaughn and titled it Vamp to Veep. Bob Ottum’s 1983 feature about the symbolic lady of motorsports promotion to vice president at Hurst Performance was exceeded in length only by a spread  that year about boxer Muhammad Ali as Athlete of the 20th Century. Yes, after 17 years she took on this important role.  Linda maintains she took a few marketing courses but she really got her degree from the mentoring of owner George Hurst and a crackerjack publicist, Jack Duffy. Linda knows how to give you a real wink! Hurst was not only one of the performance industry's great innovators, but he had few peers when it came to pitching his products.  He had an uncanny ability to build alliances with people who really counted, to the mutual benefit of everybody involved. “Duffy said I had the best marketing degree of anyone working in his department,” Linda said.  “He was the best PR director in the whole world and we learned from each other. Jack and I never had a problem.  We worked together so well.  He taught me and I taught him.”   But when this period in her life was to elevate her position in motorsports, it became four of her worst years, 1983-87. It included a failed marriage, a serious illness and the untimely death of Hurst. “I went through some tremendous sadness,” she said.  “Thought I had cancer, but it was found to be benign. But we didn’t know it until they operated. "Then, George died, tragically (1986 at only 59). It was hard, and things kinda fell apart.  But thank heaven for Joe Hrudka (founder of Mr. Gasket Automotive Company) who cheered me up and signed me to a new contract. Here's a photo from the Glory Days, when Hurst Oldsmobiles were just as hot as Linda! Hrudka had acquired Hurst Performance and Linda maintained her role with her former company.  Linda teamed up with Mr. Gasket Performance Group, a conglomerate of automotive companies, that now owned Hurst Industries. Through her many friends and Jack Duffy, Linda put the pedal to metal and re-entered the busy promotions road. Linda’s interest in racing stems back to a time when a 13-year-old girl traveled by bicycle to visit Big Daddy’s garage. Big Daddy happened to be the incomparable Don Garlits, who pioneered the sport of drag racing.      You can take the girl outta the country, but not the country out of a lady like Linda Vaughn! “I’d ride down on my bicycle and he’d fire up his dragster,”  she remembered  “He raced on a little race track about 30 miles north. He was the first racer I ever met. “Then, there was the whole Allison clan (drivers Bobby and Donnie) who grew up down the road apiece. They lived in Alabama and I was at the Georgia line.  We used to go over there for some of the dirt races and stuff.”   It was at this time she was going to dental school to become a hygienist. But a couple beauty contests changed that.   When she began her queen career, Linda's first attention came after a dance.  “Doing the twist one night in a bright red outfit with Fireball Roberts (as Miss Firebird) made the wire services and I became an instant star,” she said.     Linda poses in one of her homes, and by the look of the rifle, we'd say this was country! “I was just blown away by Fireball. Then, there was Fred Lorensen, who I got to kiss . . . the first time for a Yankee (and captured by the press).  Saw him recently at a car show in Illinois, first time in 30 years.  My first crush on a race driver.” . There have been many men in her life, from Bill France Sr. to Tony Hulman and Wally Parks and to drivers like A.J. Foyt,  Parnelli Jones, Mario Andretti, Richard Petty and Dan Gurney. “Traveled with Mario to Italy, France and Watkins Glen during his Formula One championship year.  ‘I’m part of the Andretti family,” she said. “Got to see Gurney’s smile and the sparkle in his eyes and,  yes, Les Richter, the coach.   Oh my goodness, what a great man he is.   “Then, there  were the Unsers . . . Bobby, the renegade, and Al, the quiet one.  I told Al Jr. he was my stepchild.”   Ever been to Tulsa, Oklahoma? Well, as you can see, Linda has . . . and to lots of other places! “Was at a charity auction recently (Victory Junction Gang Camp) with  the Pettys.” she said. “We raised $561,000 for Richard’s car and then the Hurst Viper sold for $275,000. I worked my butt off.” As for racing costs, she believes there is a need to go back to the basics.  “The greedy ones are hurting the sport. Auto racing is the No. 1 sport.  Racing sets me on fire  . . .. “The loss of the Riverside and Ontario tracks broke my heart.  Every time I go by where they were," said Linda, " I can feel the . . . emptiness.” Linda believes NASCAR is more stable in the South rather than other parts of the country.  “The pace of life is more leisurely.”   Partial to the old days, she said she’s bothered about drivers buying their rides.  “Indianapolis should be like it used to be . . . you run what  you brung.” She’s strong on women in racing on and off the track.  “I like being a woman in a man’s world. I feel I’m a businesswoman in racing.” She rattled off her busy schedule, which includes Pomona, Daytona, the Barrett-Jackson Auction, a March meet and April’s Talladega, leading up to Indianapolis. “As long as people still love me, I’ll continue doing it.”   “Only take two suitcases now . . . because you have to pay for them now,” she said.  “Leaned not to take so much stuff. ‘George Hurst wanted some honest opinions and he got them from me. I gave my best to him and the industry. I’ve dedicated my life to racing.   “I’m like Richard Petty.  Why give up something you love?  There’s no age limit on love. “When I retire at 65 with my pension, I may plant some flowers, paint my living room and write some books.” And, hey, we can hardly wait! Last Updated ( Wednesday, 02 March 2011 )   < Prev   Next > [ Back ]