Despite Hard Exterior, Al Hofmann Will Be Missed
Written by David Lamm · March 22, 2008
When you mention the name Al Hofmann around anyone that has spent any time in or around the NHRA, you will likely hear a pretty entertaining story. Hofmann was not without controversy nor his critics and it is sad to report his passing from a heart attack suffered March 20, 2008. Al Hofmann was 60 years old. Love him or hate him, you would be hard pressed to find anyone that would say he did not race hard every time his foot hit the pedal.
NHRA.com: Funny Car veteran Hofmann, championship runner-up in 1995, dies
I am not going to attempt to eulogize Al Hofmann because out of respect for him as a racer and a person I would not do him justice. Honestly, while working for the NHRA I had dealings with Hofmann but I never got close with him as I did with other drivers. Hofmann understood he had to play the game when it came to dealing with the media but he didn’t have to enjoy it. My impression was he viewed media interviews and exposure as an ends to a means. Media exposure helped keep sponsors happy and when they are happy, they keep paying money to keep Hofmann racing. But Hofmann was all about racing and didn’t like the spotlight or media attention. He would rather have his hands greasy trying to get some more horsepower out of his Funny Cars than be bothered with some media guy bringing a reporter to his pit.
I didn’t know Al Hofmann very well and my opinion of him was mainly molded by his abrasive attitude to not only me but to my co-workers and towards media people. If I would complain about him to others in the NHRA many would correct me. A lot of people defended Hofmann and claimed he was not a bad guy. He just was a hardcore racer that didn’t like to be bothered or distracted. I am sure if I worked in the tech department and not the media department my view on Hofmann would be completely different.
The one lasting memory I have of Al Hofmann was when I learned prior to the 2001 NHRA season that he and Big Jim Dunn would be teaming up that year. “That partnership will last three races,” I scoffed to one of my co-workers. I even joked, “they should rename the team ‘Grumpy Old Men Racing’. Those comments could not have been further from the truth because Dunn and Hofmann got along famously that season. Predictions of fist fights in the pits or screaming arguments at the top end never materialized despite the team registering numerous DNQ’s. It just goes to show you that what you think you know is not always fact.
Despite Al Hofmann’s gruff and abrasive exterior he was well liked by many within his inner circle. I was never invited into that inner circle and now that Al Hofmann has passed it saddens me to know he is gone and I will never have a chance to know him like others did.
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As a long time fan of Al Hofmann I always admired his under dog status, as he didn’t have the money or luck of some of the other teams he tried hard to get in the show everytime he showed up at a track no matter where it was.
He will be missed by many a fan
And for the media I always felt they get in the way anyway, with a little respect for peoples time between rounds to get the car ready again, just stay the hell out of the way……nuff said
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I knew Al in his early days the “China Cindrome” ( not sure thats spelled right ) but anyway , I shot his car for him did some promo stuff. I taged along for a “Crazy Eddies” night of thrills at E-Town NJ not haveing alot of spares was an understatement. He made his runs John Force style burn outs running as hard as he could. At the end of the evening heading home we stopped for some dinner, he insisted on buying my dinner. I knew it was an expensive night for him but he still bought. I know we all called him “Attomic Al” but he was a Racer
fires and all, he gave alot up to do what he did. Im sorry to hear he is no longer with us. Crusty or not he was a good guy. And yes as I at one time was part of that media circus, I still can`t get over the quesions we ask after someone burns their car to the ground. Like ” What happened?” or “Did you know it was going to happen?” At 300mph and 4 sec do you think they have time to figure that out?? Anyway………..Rest in peace Al