Funeral services for Johnny Loper, a former Funny Car owner for drivers including national event winner Tripp Shumake, a former gasser pilot, and current speed shop operator, will be held later this week in Arizona. Loper, who had been in the speed shop business for 40 years and still maintained two stores, died Sept. 23. He was 70.

The Loper-owned "Lil’ Hoss" series of Funny Cars were some the nation’s best from the late ‘70s to the early ‘80s. The Arizona-based car was one the first into the fives with Eddie Pauling driving. This success continued when Shumake took over the wheel of the Plymouth Arrow.


Funeral services for Johnny Loper, a former Funny Car owner for drivers including national event winner Tripp Shumake, a former gasser pilot, and current speed shop operator, will be held later this week in Arizona. Loper, who had been in the speed shop business for 40 years and still maintained two stores, died Sept. 23. He was 70.

The Loper-owned "Lil’ Hoss" series of Funny Cars were some the nation’s best from the late ‘70s to the early ‘80s. The Arizona-based car was one the first into the fives with Eddie Pauling driving. This success continued when Shumake took over the wheel of the Plymouth Arrow.

In 1978, Shumake and Loper finished fourth in the NHRA Funny Car standings and seventh in 1979. Shumake won his first NHRA national event title in Atlanta during the 1981 NHRA Southern Nationals. His 5.98 qualifying time made him the eighth and final member of the Cragar Five Second Funny Car Club.

Loper and Shumake raced together into the 1982 season until Loper ran short of cash after adding a Top Fueler to the team.

The viewing will be held Sept. 29 at Whitney & Murphy, 48th Street and Indian School Road in Phoenix, from 1-9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Sept. 30, at Scottsdale Bible Church, 7601 E. Shea, in Scottsdale, Ariz., at 2:30 p.m.

Loper is survived by his wife Margaret, sons John Jr. and James, daughter Teresa, and brother Cecil.