Ted Jones Inducted into Int'l Drag Racing
Hall of Fame
When young 19-year-old drag racer Ted Jones bought his
local drag strip in Kettlersville, OH, he had no idea his life as
a play-by-play sportscaster would change and thereafter
revolve around the sport of drag racing until he retired. After
giving up his chosen profession, of play-by-play sport
announcer, Jones, who had immediate success with the 1/8
mile Kettlersville Drag Strip, built a quarter mile track in Van
Wert, Ohio, and then proceeded to purchase Muncie Indiana
Dragway and Shelby Dragway near Sidney, Ohio. After
completing two IHRA National events at the Muncie track,
Larry Carrier was impressed with Jones’ knowledge of the
sport and his management abilities. He persuaded Jones to
sell his strips and move to Bristol, Tennessee as IHRA Vice
President and National Event Race Director. While at IHRA,
Jones initiated many procedures that are still popular today,
such as weighing the driver with the car, the pro ladders
where 1 run 16, alternating lanes during qualifying, the use of
blower restraint devices, and Mountain Motor Pro Stocks, and
conceived the Pro Modified class. Jones also introduced
drag racing to ESPN in 1982 and was retained by ESPN as a
consulting producer and later a contracted ESPN announcer.
Hall of Fame
When young 19-year-old drag racer Ted Jones bought his
local drag strip in Kettlersville, OH, he had no idea his life as
a play-by-play sportscaster would change and thereafter
revolve around the sport of drag racing until he retired. After
giving up his chosen profession, of play-by-play sport
announcer, Jones, who had immediate success with the 1/8
mile Kettlersville Drag Strip, built a quarter mile track in Van
Wert, Ohio, and then proceeded to purchase Muncie Indiana
Dragway and Shelby Dragway near Sidney, Ohio. After
completing two IHRA National events at the Muncie track,
Larry Carrier was impressed with Jones’ knowledge of the
sport and his management abilities. He persuaded Jones to
sell his strips and move to Bristol, Tennessee as IHRA Vice
President and National Event Race Director. While at IHRA,
Jones initiated many procedures that are still popular today,
such as weighing the driver with the car, the pro ladders
where 1 run 16, alternating lanes during qualifying, the use of
blower restraint devices, and Mountain Motor Pro Stocks, and
conceived the Pro Modified class. Jones also introduced
drag racing to ESPN in 1982 and was retained by ESPN as a
consulting producer and later a contracted ESPN announcer.
Ted Jones, IDRHOF Inductee
Ted Jones, IDRHOF Inductee
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
