Former Northwest Funny Car standout Kenney Goodell passed away on Tuesday night after experiencing a massive heart attack a week prior at his home in Sherwood, OR. Goodell, 64, will always be remembered for his long line of nitro funny cars and his successful marketing partnerships with Portland area businesses. He was a true showman in the wild and colorful world of drag racing.
Goodell's most successful funny car was the orange and purple Wynn's Stormer (1973-1974) which won the Stardust National Open in Las Vegas, as well as the prestigious Northwest National Open in Seattle. He was also undefeated at one of the popular Manufacturer's Meets at Orange County International Raceway. The "Action Man'' as he has always been billed, had clean looking equipment that matched and looked meticulous every where the funny car went and at one time also included a top fuel dragster. Goodell went on to drive the ultra low Beaverton Dodge funny car in 1976 until a bad crash in Boise sidelined him for several years. He later returned to the drag racing in 1980 to drive Chuck Byrd's "Jean Machine" Arrow and later an alcohol funny car sponsored by the Burgerville chain.
He was a true promoter who knew how to grab people's attention. He also could sell the sport and give something back to the community, as he participated in the "Night of Fire" charitable events every year. He also devised the "Safety on Wheels" program which centered around traffic safety. He designed this program to work in conjunction with his Beaverton Dodge sponsorship. He was involved in community programs before it became popular to do so which made him a good role model.
Goodell not only loved the competition, but he loved the whole culture centered around drag racing. The cars were just one aspect of it. It was also the people, the sponsors, the corporate image, and the look of drag racing that motivated his interests.
He returned to the sport for a final time in 2005 driving an Anglia bodied coup sponsored by ICS Best Way but his true love were the nitro burning dragsters and funny cars. His renewed involvement in drag racing was good for the sport throughout the northwest region. Kenney Goodell had a stellar career that was appreciated and remembered by many. - Rich Bailey, photo by George and Karen Adams, nwdragracing.com
