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John Massingberd Memorial Award Honored at Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame
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Highlights
- John Scotti received the 2024 John Massingberd Memorial Award
- Award presented at Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame in Montreal
- Scotti founded the Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 2012
- He launched NHRA John Scotti Canadian Championship Series in 2024
- John Scotti Automotive leads luxury car sales including Lamborghini
- Scotti supported motorsport media and charitable events for decades
John Scotti received the 2024 John Massingberd Memorial Award in Montreal.
The Pro Modified Racing Association presented the honor at the Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame ceremony at the Armon Plaza Montreal Airport Hotel.
The award recognizes leadership, dedication, and commitment consistent with Massingberd’s contribution to Canadian motorsport media.
Massingberd, a respected motorsport media figure, elevated Canadian racing coverage before his death in 2008 after a long fight with ALS.
Scotti’s ties to drag racing began at 16 under mentor John Dingman, a leading performance engine specialist, shaping a career that bridged business growth and track involvement.
He recorded an 8.08-second quarter-mile around 25 years ago, underscoring credible on-track experience alongside his expanding automotive enterprises.
Following Dingman’s passing, Scotti founded the Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 2012 to preserve history, recognize contributors, and inspire future competitors through annual inductions and events.
Scotti founded the Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 2012, preserving the sport’s heritage through annual inductions.
The Hall operates as a non-profit, with programming aimed at education and celebrating drag racing’s cultural footprint in Canada.
Scotti’s influence widened in 2024 with the NHRA John Scotti Canadian Championship Series, complementing eight seasons of support for the Can-Am Stock/Super Stock Series.
Away from the strip, John Scotti Automotive grew from a small garage in 1975 to a national leader representing Lamborghini, Lotus, Jaguar, and other luxury marques.
The Lamborghini dealership has global standing, with the group nearing its 1,000th sale and planning a new facility, milestones praised by Automobili Lamborghini America’s chief executive, Andrea Baldi.
John Scotti Automotive nears its 1,000th Lamborghini sale, with a new state-of-the-art facility planned.
Philanthropy remains part of Scotti’s profile, notably through the Starlight Children’s Foundation and Drive for Smiles, using motorsport to create positive experiences for children and families.
In the late 1980s, Scotti co-founded Promark Motorsport International with Bruce Mehlenbacher, building media platforms that broadened coverage across drag racing, stock cars, snowmobiling, and tractor pulls.
Raceline Motorsport Television and SnowTrax Television supported that expansion, while Raceline Radio became Canada’s first nationally syndicated motorsport show and continues after 31 years.
Raceline Radio remains on air after 31 years, Canada’s first nationally syndicated motorsport program.
The award situates Scotti alongside prior honorees including Carl Spiering, Fred and Betsy Smith, and Tim Miller, reinforcing a benchmark for service to Canadian drag racing.
Recognition at the Hall of Fame’s 10th Anniversary Gala underscores the sustained impact of Scotti’s entrepreneurship and advocacy on the sport’s competitive and cultural infrastructure.
This honor aligns with the PMRA’s goal of promoting professionalism and growth, highlighting how private investment and media support continue to shape Canada’s drag racing ecosystem.
Visual Summary
Miles Carter covers grassroots and regional drag-strip action, from bracket racing to street-legal shootouts. His event previews and performance-upgrade guides keep local racers up to speed on timing-slip trends, tire tech, and weekend race highlights.
