Race Rock - Darrell Gwynn

Darrell Gwynn

When Darrell Gwynn began his racing career in the NHRA, he attacked the sport with fierce determination. The fire burned in his eyes at the mere thought of his next round of competition. There was always another barrier to overcome. It finally got to the point where Gwynn would not just overcome barriers, but actually knock them down. As his sportsman victories began to mount, people and sponsors noticed. Everything fell into place. By the time Gwynn was ready to turn professional in 1985, he had accumulated 10 wins in Alcohol Dragster competition and one championship. Competitors noticed "the kid," and at 23, Gwynn moved up to the Top Fuel category. While he didn't win a race in his 12 starts, he did qualify #1 once, and made it to the final round in 2 races, including the biggest race of all, the U.S. Nationals. His 6th place finish in the Winston Championship did not go unnoticed.

The following year, in 1986, Gwynn was the talk of Top Fuel. The kid had even the most seasoned veterans scratching their heads by winning 3 races in the first half of the season. He was in a dogfight with legendary Don Garlits for a championship. Garlits would ultimately prevail, but Gwynn's 4 wins, 3 runner-ups and string of record-setting runs marked him as a quickly rising star in a sport that featured the likes of Garlits, Kalitta, Muldowney, Ormsby and LaHaie.

Over the next 3 years, Gwynn would win another 13 races, but never get the gold ring. He finished 3rd, 2nd and 4th in points, but couldn't call the Team Mopar championship his own. 1990 would be the year that everything would change. The barriers would grow taller and overcoming them would be his greatest challenge. Gwynn started his campaign that year in familiar fashion, winning the Gatornationals at a track he considered his home track, in his only final round appearance in 4 starts. It would be his 18th and final win as a driver, as fate took Gwynn to England in April that year. In an exhibition race at Santa Pod Raceway, his dragster suddenly broke and veered left into the retaining wall at half-track, causing major life-threatening injuries to the 29-year-old driver. A terrific battle of faith and determination allowed Gwynn to survive the ordeal, but he was left paralyzed and he lost his left arm.

But the competitive fire still burns deep within and it rages in his eyes. Since that time, Gwynn has changed roles from star driver to team owner. He has employed Frank Hawley, Mike Brotherton and, beginning in 1993, Mike Dunn to handle the driving duties. His father, Jerry Gwynn, a former racer and the biggest influence on Darrell's career decisions, is still a vital part of the team as manager. Despite all the changes, Darrell Gwynn is still the driving force that keeps the team focused and directed toward a Winston Championship.

Says Gwynn, "I realized a long time ago what this team needed to be successful. At first, I tried to do too much, trying to tune the car, run the business and handle all the details. Now, with the help of Mopar as our sponsor, we have assembled one of the best teams in the sport." Mike Dunn's record as a great driver speaks for itself. With the fire still burning brightly, it's hard to doubt the Gwynn team will accomplish its objective and overcome the final barrier...

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