Kenny's induction into the International Drag Racing Hall Of Fame in 2014, by 'Big Daddy" Don Garlits.
Kenny Youngblood’s career in motorsports grew out of his love of auto racing, and began in 1967 when he built and drove his own ‘slingshot’ fuel dragsters.
Upon seeing the hand-painted graphics Kenny had done on his friend and fellow racer Gary Messenger’s dragster in 1968, custom painter Dick Olsen hired the young Youngblood to do all the graphics at his Bellflower, California paint shop. Kenny would soon be adding the finishing touches to many of the nation’s top race cars.
By the end of the 1970’s, and with help from Kenny's mentor and marketing genius Bob Kachler, it would be nearly impossible to open a car magazine, go to a car show or attend a racing event without seeing the artist’s work.
Expanding his horizons in the 1980’s, Youngblood began publishing limited edition prints of his race car paintings, and marketing them to a worldwide audience. In so doing, he was unknowingly the sole pioneer of what would become the billion dollar, racing collectibles industry.
Three of Kenny's most recognizable graphic designs would be the stars and stripes “Snake” logo for drag racer Don Prudhomme, the interlocking Z’s for ZZ Top’s “Eliminator” album cover car, and Dale Earnhardt’s iconic, backslash number “3”.
What They're Saying..
“Kenny has been called ‘The father of modern day race car graphics’ and is considered an icon in the field” - Signs Of The Times Magazine
“Youngblood’s work was and still is an inspiration to those who endeavor to make hot cars look as good as they run” -Robert Kachler
“Kenny is one of my heroes!” -Chip Foose
“What can you say about Kenny Youngblood; he is The Arteest!” -Billy F Gibbons
Awards:
International Drag Racing Hall Of Fame
Hot Rod Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People
Darrell Starbird Hall Of Fame
Rt 66 Hall Of Fame
New England Drag Racing Hall Of Fame
Kenny's imaginary and outlandish Italian drag racing pioneer, 'Benito Magneto', was the star of a 1971 CAR CRAFT Magazine editorial on funny car aerodynamics. Ironically, Benito's "Flop-O-Aerodynamico" was way ahead of its time, with many features (like a roof hatch, laid back headers, weather station, side mounted parachutes and canard wings eventually finding their way onto actual race cars, and that remain in use use to this day.
Youngblood designed graphics were the gold standard in racing from the early seventies until the advent of the computer, and were seen everywhere and on every type of racing vehicle. From cars to boats and motorcycles to air craft, his designs would inspire those who would follow in his footsteps.
Youngblood, a racer a heart, served as a crew member for the "Invader" Funny Car, as well as doing it's graphics. Kenny and wife Terri are seen here helping driver "Mighty Mike" Van Sant accept the "Best appearing Car" award, at the NHRA WinterNationals.
Blood's lifelike 'faux' grill and headlight treatments on fiberglass bodied race cars, are one of his specialties.
The graphics for Dale Earnhardt's 'Wrangler Monte Carlo" including Kenny's design for Dale's iconic 'back-slash' number "3", are one of the artist's most widely recognized designs.
Kenny's "Fuel Coupe Magazine" was dedicated to Nostalgia Funny Cars, and featured high tech covers with an 'old school' look. This one, created by Kenny and Digital Designer Thomas "Tommy Knockers" Naccarado, utilizes one of Photo Editor JD Kline's amazing pics.
A striking example of the demand for Youngblood's artistic talents throughout motorsports, would be his graphics on Danny Sullivan's Indy winning "Miller American".
Detroit auto makers turned to Kenny in the late seventies for his ability to create innovative designs based on current trends in customizing. The Youngblood designed Ford "Cruisin' Van" being a prime example, and one that resulted in runaway sales.
Builder Don Thelan asked Kenny to come up with the graphics for the '33 Ford Coupe cover car, for ZZ Top's "Elininator" album. Blood's interlocking "Z"s would become the groups logo, as well as the pattern for the world's most infamous key chain. The car's Youngblood designed graphics would make it history's most recognizable hot rod.