Richard D. Moroso (1939-November 7, 1998) was an Americanhot rodder,drag racer, and businessman.[1]
Moroso was born inNew Rochelle, New York and grew up inOld Greenwich, Connecticut. He started selling speed parts out of his family's basement in the early 1960s under the name Speed Associates. In the mid-1960s, Moroso and then partner Hank Dietrich opened Performance Automotive inStamford.[2][3]
Moroso founded Moroso Performance Products, to supply aftermarket automotive parts to fellow hot rodders, in 1968, the year his son, Rob, was born.[2][3]
He served as son Rob's owner and sponsor for much of his racing career.[2][3]
Driving a 1961Corvette, Moroso won oneNHRA national title, in D/MP (D Modified Production), at the 1966NHRA Nationals, held atIndianapolis Raceway Park. His winning pass was 13.32 seconds at 103.21 mph (166.10 km/h).[4]
In 1981, Moroso purchasedPalm Beach International Raceway, renaming itMoroso Motorsports Park.[5] In 1982, Moroso spent $100,000 to upgrade the facility to host the opening event of the 1983SCCATrans Am Series.[6]
In 1996, Moroso considered spending $2 million on a one-mile oval track for stock car racing, but those plans fell through.[7][8]
Moroso died frombrain cancer on November 7, 1998 in hospice care.[7][8]
Moroso had a son,Rob,[9] who raced inNASCAR before he was killed while driving at more than twice theblood/alcohol limit in 1990.[10] Dick had other children, Rick, who currently runs the company, and a daughter, Susan.
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