The Wally trophy is handed out to the victors of an National Hot-Rod Association event. They were first awarded at national events during the 1969 racing season. The trophy is made up of brass plating over a standard metal mix. It sits atop a solid antique walnut base.
The National Hot-Rod Association titled it’s award after the organization’s creator Wally Parks. The Wally trophy sits 18 inches in height and also weighs 12 pounds. Believe it or not, the Wally trophy is not a replica of Parks himself. The coveted award is actually shaped to resemble the Top Gas racer Jack Jones.
Over the years, the Wally trophy has taken on a life of its own. To this day it still remains the single biggest objective for drag racing enthusiasts. Furthermore, it is the ultimate quest for every drag racer in the sport. It can be doled out to the low-end weekend warrior or the high-end Super Street competitor.
The Wally trophy is given out to the speedsters that race in the Top Fuel division. As a result, when a driver final receives the beloved trophy, they cling to it with great passion. All the drivers know that it could also be the last time they ever get another win in the ultra-competitive series.
“It’s obviously an award all the drivers covet,” said five-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher. “Not so much for what it is, as for what it represents. I’d like to grab a bunch of them before I’m done.”
Many hot-rod drivers have spent massive amounts of time and thousands of hard earned dollars chasing the dream of owning the Wally. Therefore, many racers can become obsessed with the goal of earning the Wally trophy.
“It’s as real as a glass of water but as hard to get as a million dollars,” explained Steve Johnson, a veteran Pro Stock Motorcycle racer who won his first Wally in 2004 after two decades of trying. “It represents way more than a champion. I don’t have the words to describe it.”
Tim Wilkerson, an NHRA Funny Car driver says the joy experienced while receiving the glorious award is just short of magical. The quarter-mile magician earned his first Wally in 1999 at his home track near Chicago. The feisty racer earned the prestigious trophy when he ousted John Force in a crazy final round of drag racing.
“When I won my first Wally it was the coolest thing because my car wasn’t running worth a darn,” Wilkerson said. “I also beat a lot of really good cars that day and then beat Force in a tire-smoking battle. The team really needed that one in the worst way. In fact, that was a very special moment that I will remember forever.” said Wilkerson.
John Force has more Wally’s than any other driver in the NHRA. The drag racing icon is often quick to underscore the fact that he has the most Wallys in his trophy case. The future Hall of Fame driver also says the award represents all the hard work and struggles he has put into the sport over the last thirty years.
Variations of the Wally trophy also exist for other unique purposes. There is the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Wally. It is a scaled-down copy of the national event Wally. There also is the NHRA National Dragster Challenge Wally. That version of the famed trophy is handed out to the NHRA Summit Series E.T. Bracket racers. Furthermore, it is the exact size as the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Wally but is covered in a pewter finish instead. A full scale Wally with a square base was first awarded to NHRA Junior Drag Racing League national champions in 1994.
The Drivers With the Most NHRA National Event Victories:
John Force 140
Warren Johnson 97
Frank Manzo 91
Bob Glidden* 85
Pat Austin 75
David Rampy 74
Dan Fletcher 70
Kenny Bernstein* 69
Jeg Coughlin Jr. 66
Tony Schumacher 66
Greg Anderson 65
Larry Dixon 60
Joe Amato* 57
Bob Newberry* 50
Don Prudhomme* 49
Dave Schultz* 45
Edmond Richardson 44
Gary Scelzi* 43
Tony Pedregon 43
Angelle Sampey 41
Jeff Taylor 41
Jay Payne 39
Peter Biondo 39
Kurt Johnson 39
Ed VanDerKooi 9
Braydon Benko 2
Mark Simmons 2
Jean-François Blais 2
