Mr. Gasket Founder, Joseph “Joe” Hrudka, Passes Away
The drag racing community is mourning the loss of racer, innovator and Mr. Gasket founder, Joe Hrudka, who passed away May 24, 2026 at the age of 87 from complications of Alzheimers. Born in 1938, Hrudka was known for his passion and skill at drag racing. He and his brother Tom won the 1961 and 1962 NHRA U.S. Nationals. But he was best known for the heat-resistant gaskets that he first sold out of the trunk of his car, and later through his Cleveland-based Mr. Gasket business which was officially launched in 1965 with Tom. The company successfully grew, acquiring more aftermarket specialty race companies throughout the year and was eventually acquired itself. Mr. Gasket is currently owned by Holley Performance Products.
Hrudka was a member of the East Coast Drag Racing Hall of Fame, and an early inductee into the SEMA Hall of Fame.
His niece, Tracy, CEO of the Quarter Mile Foundation, offered posted these words in his honor on social media:
“It is with profound sadness 😔 that on May 24th 2026 Joe Hrudka (Mr.Gasket Co.) left us to join our heavenly Father after a long battle with the dreadful disease Alzheimers.
To all who knew him, his extraordinary and legendary accomplishments in the entire racing 🏁 and performance industry are well known and revered.
Joe’s biggest passion in the industry was taking care of the racers, being a avid racer himself he knew where the need was and made sure it was done… He was shy, eccentric and brilliant to a fault and always did it HIS way! There was no other way but Joe’s and all were the better for it. The industry just became a lot dimmer with his loss yet the legacy will always shine brightly.”
Many other members of the community have honored Hrudka, including Holley, Summit Racing, Mr. Engine, the Performance Race Industry and more.