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The NHRA mourns the loss of Alex Xydias, a legendary racer, speed-shop owner, filmmaker, publisher, and one of Wally Parks' dearest friends. Xydias passed away this week, leaving behind a remarkable legacy that has deeply impacted the automotive world.

Born in 1922, Alex Xydias was a pioneering figure in the hot rodding community. With a last name often humorously pronounced as "X-hideous," Alex was there at the very beginning of the hot rod culture that blossomed in Southern California. Growing up in Los Angeles, he raced a ‘34 Ford on the dry lakes near Muroc and El Mirage before serving his country as a crew member on a B-17 during World War II. After the war, in 1946, Xydias returned home and launched the iconic So-Cal Speed Shop in Burbank, California, a name that would become synonymous with hot rodding excellence.

Throughout his career, Xydias made significant contributions to the automotive industry. He worked for Petersen Publishing, where he served as the publisher of Car Craft and later Hot Rod Industry News. His influence extended beyond publishing; Alex was instrumental in the founding of the SEMA Show, one of the largest and most influential automotive trade shows in the world. In the 1990s, the So-Cal brand experienced a revival with his partner, Pete Chapouris. Alex also served on the board of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, a fitting tribute to his lifelong friendship with Wally Parks, a bond forged in the early days of dry lakes racing.

The legacies of both Alex Xydias and Wally Parks are forever enshrined at the Fairplex in Pomona, California—Wally through the NHRA Motorsports Museum and Alex through the Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts, a testament to his enduring impact on future generations of automotive enthusiasts.

Alex Xydias celebrated his 100th birthday on March 22, 2022. Just weeks before this milestone, the Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts honored him at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. Surrounded by friends and admirers, Alex humbly took the microphone and, with his characteristic humor, declared that he was responsible for creating everything good in the world.

Alex Xydias' influence on the automotive industry and hot rod culture is immeasurable. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of enthusiasts. The NHRA and the entire automotive community honor his memory and contributions. Godspeed, Alex.