NHRA Chief Starter Mark Lyle Passes Away

The National Hot Rod Association announced today that Chief Starter Mark Lyle passed away suddenly on Sunday.

Lyle, who had been vacationing in Mexico on a fishing trip, drowned when he reportedly went into the water to rescue a friend who had been caught in the surf.

Lyle had been the chief starter for the NHRA Mello Yello Series since 2012 – one of only three starters in all of the NHRA's 61-year history, joining long-time starter Buster Couch and Rick Stewart. Prior to that he had served as the official starter at Pacific Raceways in the NHRA's Northwest Division since 2000.