Parks family announces upcoming tributes to late NHRA founder.

The family of NHRA founder Wally Parks, who died Sept. 28, announced the first of what is expected to be several tributes to the motorsports legend, to be held at the NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion and at the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals.

A short tribute will be held at the NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion at the Auto Club of Southern California Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif., Oct. 12-14. NHRA also will have a special trackside ceremony honoring Parks on Sunday, Nov. 4, prior to the final round of eliminations at the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals.

A full Celebration of Life will be held during the CARQUEST Auto Parts Winternationals, in Pomona February 2008. Final details of that tribute haven't been worked out as of yet. The public is invited, but due to the uncertainty of the weather, details will be announced in the future in National DRAGSTER and on NHRA.com.

"We are in the planning stages right now and we want to do it so that as many people can come as possible, who would like to pay their final respects," said his sons, Richard and David Parks, in a joint statement. "Other groups have mentioned holding tributes and as we hear of them we will pass the news on."