Gasser legend “Ohio” George Montgomery will be honored as the official “Hot Rod Hero” of the Goodguys 7th Blue Suede Cruise, September 5-7 at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio. This marks the first year Goodguys will stage the popular event.

Montgomery will be on hand throughout the weekend to meet & greet fans and sign autographs. They will have an opportunity to purchase “Ohio George” Memorabilia as well.

No supercharged Gasser racer shined brighter than Montgomery on the big stage. “Ohio George” racked up a total of four US Nationals titles among several other NHRA National event victories in a variety of supercharged coupes and sedans. His pale blue entries were always the car to beat at the big races. In 1966 he formed an alliance with Ford Motor Company, switching from a small block Chevy to Ford’s new 427-cid SOHC hemi. He quickly made good use of the engine's added horsepower, racking up class wins at the U.S. Nationals in 1966 and 1967, along with a class trophy at the 1967 Nationals behind the wheel of his legendary ’33 Willys.  He later went on to campaign a new Mustang later in 1967 finding more success before retiring from driving in the early 1970s.

A resident of Dayton, Ohio, Montgomery is a member of Don Garlits’ International Drag Racing Hall of Fame and has served as Grand Marshal of the NHRA Museum’s National Hot Rod Reunion.

Photos Courtesy of National Dragster archives