NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Top Fuel drag racing legend Jeb Allen, Funny Car pioneer Don Schumacher, and Terry Chandler have announced a unique program to grant wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses.
 
Allen, the 1981 NHRA Top Fuel world champion, is committing $100,000 to grant 10 wishes through Terry Chandler’s Make-A-Wish Funny Car program with Don Schumacher Racing around 10 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events this year.
 
“Don Schumacher said to me one day, 'If there’s ever anything you can do for one of Terry’s charity cars, you should do something,' ” said Allen, 62, whose Palomar Builders has funded 20 wishes for a total of $200,000 to Make-A-Wish of Northern California.
 
“We are thrilled that Jeb Allen has joined a number of people within the NHRA community who are committed to making wishes come true. Just like our good friend Terry Chandler, who funds the sponsorship of the Make-A-Wish Funny Car, Jeb realizes the lasting impact a wish come true has on seriously ill children and the families who support them,” said David Williams, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. “Jeb’s contribution allows our chapters to reach even more children in their communities.”
 
Allen added, “This just warms our heart. This gives us an opportunity to give back and bring awareness to the joy and power of giving.”
 
After retiring from professional drag racing, Allen, the youngest to win an NHRA national event Wally at 18, began working in construction, where he learned to build homes. He and his wife, Sue Tsai, have built their Palomar Builders into one of the largest in Northern California and biggest in Redding, Calif.
 
When Allen won his first title at the Summernationals in Englishtown, Schumacher joined him in the winner’s circle after winning his third of five NHRA Funny Car titles.
 
“That’s how I got to meet Don,” Allen said. “He befriended me, and when I raced through Chicago, he invited me into his home and later helped me when I had some hard times. He’s quite a man.”