The Drag Racing Legend Erased From History
The Drag Racing Legend Erased From History
Vintage Diaries
308 subscribers
30,061 views Nov 2, 2025
Before Don Garlits became a household name, there was Setto Postoian—a Michigan speed shop owner who dominated Eastern drag racing in the 1950s with four consecutive national championships. This is the untold story of the Armenian-American racer who pushed Garlits to greatness, won back-to-back World Series titles, and helped build the East Coast drag racing scene from the ground up. Yet today, almost nobody remembers his name. In this deep dive, we explore how Setto Postoian became the forgotten king of 1950s drag racing—winning over 250 eliminator races, running some of the fastest times in the sport's early history, and creating the legendary rivalry that shaped modern drag racing. From his groundbreaking Farmington Speed Shop in Michigan to his tragic 1960 crash that ended his career, we uncover why geography, timing, and a single accident erased one of drag racing's true pioneers from the history books. Discover the complete story of the man who forced Don Garlits to become "Big Daddy," the East Coast vs. West Coast rivalry that defined an era, and why Eastern drag racing's golden age disappeared almost overnight. This is automotive history you've never heard—the forgotten chapter that changed everything.