Popular nostalgia drag racer and speed shop owner Rick "Surf" Stambaugh of Fredericksburg, Virginia, p***ed away in his sleep during the night of Friday, May 13, 2011. Rick, along with son Matt and daughter Robin, ran the New Generation Speed Shop and a series of drag racing cars that bore the same name. Rick and his New Generation machines were well-known participants in funny car, fuel altered, and dragster drag races from the 1970s through 2011. Rick also was planning to host a nostalgia drag racing event at Sumerduck Raceway in Virginia in October 2011. At this time, all team racing activities are anticipated to continue in Rick's honor. Memorial services are tentatively scheduled to take place in Alexandria, Virginia, on Wednesday, May 18, 2011. Further details are forthcoming.
Rick and I were friends in high school and have always stayed in touch. We crewed together on g***ers and fuel altereds and I crewed for him when he got his front engine Top Fuel car (ex Cerny, Moody and Lins). We did a hell of a lot together back in the day and I'll miss him. RIP buddy. Wish I could have seen ya one more time.
I met Rick and the rest of the gang when they came to the Indy Goodguys event some years back. They were having problems keeping the altered straight and came to my shop following the event so that we could try to sort it out. We have kept in touch since then and I talk to Matt on a regular basis. Just got off the phone with him and he said that it has been running hot. Randy Lieberman and Bunny Burkett were on the line immediately before me so Matt and Robin are getting plenty of support from the racing community. Roo
Thanks, everyone. Services will be held on Wednesday May 18th, 11:00 am at Trinity United Methodist Church - 2911 Cameron Mills Rd, Alexandria, VA 22302. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Rick Stambaugh Memorial Fund - 4422 Lafayette Boulevard, Fredericksburg, VA 22408.
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