Kenny Bernstein Statement on the loss of Wally Parks:

“Wally was a visionary and a personal friend. He and Barbara put so much time and effort into birthing and growing this sport into the multimillion dollar spectacle it is today. Not only was he an astute businessman, he was revered by many of us on a personal level. He understood public relations, marketing and sales, and he understood the racers. He was as comfortable visiting with us in the pits as he was in the boardroom.

“In the 1980s, I worked closely with Wally and Dallas Gardner on some thoughts and ideas for our sport, and out of those conversations, the Bud Shootout was born. Through the years I always enjoyed discussions with Wally.

“Wally and Barbara worked tirelessly so that a good many of us could live our dream, and he devoted years to the preservation of our sport in the form of the NHRA Motorsports Museum. We will envision him at Pomona where he was ever present in the later years and we'll never forget the 50-plus years he guided and watched over our sport. He will be greatly missed.”