Jerry Bickel Passes Away
Legendary drag racing chassis builder Melvin “Jerry” Bickel has passed away at the age of 75. The owner and founder of Jerry Bickel Race Cars, in Moscow Mills, MO, Bickel leaves behind wife Jennifer Bickel; children Katherine Elizabeth (Marty) Randolph and Matthew Bickel; and grandchildren Rhys Randolph and Colin Randolph.
His legacy in the race world is undeniable. Jerry Bickel Race Cars has built chassis’ for NHRA, PDRA, and IHRA Drag Racing along with providing performance parts. The business and Bickel were also major supporters of the NHRA with a support trailer at most major events. His builds had become synonymous with high end performance across multiple types of drag racing, and the Ohio-based shop had grown and expanded into a world class facility over the last 40 years.
Bickel started his career with Troy Motors and Marquiz Motors before opening his own shop. He will be missed by everyone at RacingJunk, and within the entire drag race community. Our thoughts go out to his family and loved ones.
RacingJunk’s Big Al Liebmann, who first met Bickel 30 years ago, had stopped by the shop not long ago for a visit: Jerry Bickel Shop Tour. “I first meet Jerry over 30 years ago while we racing funny cars then while at RacingJunk.com being able to handle his account for the past 4 years. Thanks for the memories and great stories and allowing me to get close and up front at JBRC,” says Liebmann in tribute.
ETA: The location of Jerry Bickel Race Cars was accidentally listed as Ohio. It has since been corrected to Missouri.