CompetitionPlus.com has learned that drag racing great Tony Waters passed away last evening following an extended illness.

Waters, best known for reaching the finals of the first Bakersfield March Meet, Waters finished runner-up to Chrisman in 1959.

Waters, at age 85, was a trooper and worked every Bakersfield event up until the California Hot Rod Reunion last October when he tuned the family’s A/Jr. Fuel dragster driven by son Darrell.

Water is surved by three children, three grandchildren and two great grand children.

He was a great guy who lived a great life," said Steve Gibbs, of the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series. "Drag racing has lost a friend."

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