Regardless of what the Chinese calendar may read, 1965 was drag racing's first "Year of the Snake" as 24-year-old Don Prudhomme, already a star on the West Coast, rose to national fame by sweeping the season-opening Winternationals, his first career win, and the Labor Day Nationals later in the year.
The young Californian's first title at Indianapolis came at the wheel of the Leong-Black-Prudhomme fueler after a dramatic weekend of racing and culminated with a final-round victory over his mentor, "T.V. Tommy" Ivo. "The Snake" would win seven U.S. Nationals in his career, three in Top Fuel and four in Funny Car.
