Don Grotheer

Craig Dawson · 06-29-2025, 12:43 PM

We lost another S/S P/S racer yesterday. Legendary Mopar racer/pioneer Don Grotheer passed on. R.I.P. Mr. Grotheer!

340Cuda · Yesterday, 10:59 AM

I first met Don and Joan when I was sixteen racing at the old Tulsa North Raceway. Don was racing his first 1963 Plymouth max wedge and flat towed from Oklahoma City.

I was hanging around with Weldon Christian and his son Steve and they were friends with the Grotheers. They were both very kind to a what I am sure was a goofy kid. I later got to see a lot of them at Divisional races and National Events.

It was very rewarding to see his success over the years.

Don was one of the good guys and will be missed.

My condolences to his family.

https://www.strodefh.com/memorials/d...5/obituary.php

jimmyparker · Yesterday, 05:15 PM

I remember Don well from the Okla City track in the early sixties. My 81 year old memory recalls a red '61 Starliner that ran well, then a '62 Black Galaxie that was the first stocker that I saw run in the 12's, 12.97 if I remember correctly. Then came the black '63 Plymouth which was real fast and he went to Pomona probably in '63 for the W Nats. When I first saw him after that trip he had some traction bars on the car that ran toward the rear of the car, it didn't seem to work very well and they weren't on very long. In late '63 I was at and OCTA meeting and overheard someone telling Don that Chrysler had a Hemi engine coming out and Don told him he was getting one of them, I just assumed it was engine only but he was just getting started.

OKC was booming at the time and subdivisions were going up everywhere, I was doing electrical work and Don was doing heating and air on these new houses. Jimmy Parker

06-29-2025, 12:43 PM	#1
Craig Dawson Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Mahomet Illinois Posts: 101 Likes: 1,071 Liked 78 Times in 19 Posts	Don Grotheer We lost another S/S P/S racer yesterday. Legendary Mopar racer/pioneer Don Grotheer passed on. R.I.P. Mr. Grotheer!

Yesterday, 10:59 AM	#2
340Cuda VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 1,660 Likes: 3,810 Liked 761 Times in 331 Posts	Re: Don Grotheer I first met Don and Joan when I was sixteen racing at the old Tulsa North Raceway. Don was racing his first 1963 Plymouth max wedge and flat towed from Oklahoma City. I was hanging around with Weldon Christian and his son Steve and they were friends with the Grotheers. They were both very kind to a what I am sure was a goofy kid. I later got to see a lot of them at Divisional races and National Events. It was very rewarding to see his success over the years. Don was one of the good guys and will be missed. My condolences to his family. https://www.strodefh.com/memorials/d...5/obituary.php Last edited by 340Cuda; Yesterday at 11:17 AM. Reason: Add obit info

Yesterday, 05:15 PM	#3
jimmyparker Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: columbus, georgia Posts: 384 Likes: 65 Liked 303 Times in 87 Posts	Re: Don Grotheer I remember Don well from the Okla City track in the early sixties. My 81 year old memory recalls a red '61 Starliner that ran well, then a '62 Black Galaxie that was the first stocker that I saw run in the 12's, 12.97 if I remember correctly. Then came the black '63 Plymouth which was real fast and he went to Pomona probably in '63 for the W Nats. When I first saw him after that trip he had some traction bars on the car that ran toward the rear of the car, it didn't seem to work very well and they weren't on very long. In late '63 I was at and OCTA meeting and overheard someone telling Don that Chrysler had a Hemi engine coming out and Don told him he was getting one of them, I just assumed it was engine only but he was just getting started. OKC was booming at the time and subdivisions were going up everywhere, I was doing electrical work and Don was doing heating and air on these new houses. Jimmy Parker