Vicki Young (Wife) Chase Young (Son) Ashley Durant (Daughter)
Sportsman, Pro, Super Pro, Super Street, Super Gas, Super Comp
Years active
1972 – 2022
Teams
Al Young Racing, Bardahl Racing, 104 Octane Boost, Gaines Markley & Bob Gage's Custom Machine
Alfred John Young (April 28, 1946 - December 11, 2022) was a former World Champion Drag Racer and National Hot Rod Association Hall of Famer who competed in professional Bracket racing, and the heads-up categories from Super Street and Super Gas to Super Comp. He taught high school in Seattle, Washington, for 37 years, and is involved with the preparation of classic high performance race cars.[1] After campaigning his 1970 Dodge Challenger for over 25 years, winning the American Hot Rod Association (AHRA) World Championship and numerous other National Hot Rod Association and AHRA titles, he donated his drag racing car to the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) in Seattle, Washington, in 2007.[2] During the majority of his auto racing career, he was sponsored by Ole Bardahl of the Bardahl Company.[3] In 2019, he was inducted into the National Hot Rod Association, Northwest Division, Hall of Fame.[4] He was the first Asian American World Champion race car driver.[5]
He is married to Vicki Johnson Young who retired from Seattle Public Schools after teaching Elementary School for over 28 years. They have two children: Chase Johnson Young and Ashley Victoria Durant, and six grandchildren.
He has been the adviser to school teams that participated in the Chrysler Trouble Shooting contests, YMCA Youth and Government Mock trial competitions, Junior State of America Conventions, and has led high school groups to the South Pacific and Washington D. C. for close up learning. During his teaching career, he also coached: volleyball, softball, and basketball. The Seattle Committee for Excellence in Education named him as a nominee for their 1985 award.
From 2011-18, Al & Vicki have driven over 60,000 miles in their classic 1973 Plymouth RoadrunnerMuscle car touring the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
In 2014, they completed a 14-country, 45-day, 8,000-mile roadtrip around Europe in the same muscle car. On a repeat touring roadtrip in 2015, Vicki & Al visited 24 countries in 50 days, driving again over 8,000 miles in the Roadrunner (from Amsterdam to Greece, Istanbul, Bulgaria, Sweden). In June/July 2016, they completed an unprecedent 3rd road trip in Europe in their Plymouth Roadrunner driving over 7,000 miles through the United Kingdom, the Atlantic Ocean Road and National Tourist Routes of Norway; and making guest appearances at Brands Hatch and the Power Big Meet classic car events.
A member of the Seattle Kung Fu Club for over 48 years, practicing the traditional Chinese style of Martial arts known as Hung Ga Kuen taught by Sifu John S.S. Leong.
American Hot Rod Association (AHRA) World Champion (1981) National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Division Champion (1978) National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Division Champion (1979) National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Division Champion (1983) American Hot Rod Association (AHRA) World Finals Champion (1978) American Hot Rod Association (AHRA) World Finals Champion (1981) American Hot Rod Association (AHRA) World Finals Champion (1983)
Hot Rod (magazine) (February 2018), article: "Road-Trippin' 'Round Europe" ("How to Take the Ultimate Road Trip in Europe") pp.72–76.
Hot Rod (magazine) "Drag Racing" (May 1988), articles: "How to Win at Drag Racing" – A Champion's Guide to Winning Races – and Sponsors; and "Paying the Way (How to get a sponsor)".
Car Craft Magazine (Dec 1981), p.50: "The American Way:" (Photo) "Al Young 'doubled" at Spokane, clinching the Super Street event and World Championship titles the same day".
Super Stock & Drag Illustrated (Sept 1984), articles: "Kung Fu Fighter – Al Young applies his martial arts training to bracket racing".
University of Washington Alumni Association: Viewpoints Magazine: "Road Runner" pg. 2, 2008.
Related Research Articles
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