Bob Daniels - and of course Eileen - was a major influence on NHRA drag racing in the Midwest, the East Coast, and at the national level as well.   For many years Bob was the controlling force of NHRA's major event staging and organizing operations, manning "Monitor" and barking commands across the pits and staging lanes of The Nationals and Winternationals. Bob's sometimes brusquely delivered "orders" were something he came by naturally, as a former U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer.

Bob's naval career is often overlooked because it was a part of his life that most knew little of. Bob never left his Navy service too far in his wake. Many years later, he made a sizeable impact on the creation of the permanently moored, U.S.S. Salem, CA-139, a WW-2/Korea era heavy cruiser as a memorial museum. Bob worked quietly yet tirelessly on this project for several years, first securing release of the ship from the waiting torches of the ship breakers to gaining the confidence and support of city fathers to secure a permanent site (Quincy, MA) for the ship. At the same time he made significant contributions of his time and efforts in organizing the reunions for those who served on The Salem.
 

After he left his post as NHRA Division III Director he assumed the operational role at NHRA's premier racing facility, Indianapolis Raceway Park. He and Eileen (she was at his side all the way, right up to the end) moved from Ohio to Indy, where they re-made that already great facility into the crown jewel of NHRA's track properties, ultimately making the drag strip and IRP circle track the best of the best.

After Bob and Eileen retired from the IRP post they worked with Steve Gibbs and Wally Parks to create the Wally Parks-NHRA Motorsports Museum, at the Fairgrounds, in Pomona. Eileen also oversaw the hospitality functions at NHRA's various track properties.

These are just a handful of the achievements that Bob Daniels leaves as his legacy. There are many, many more I know I've overlooked in this brief sketch.

Bob had been fighting serious illness for several years, but he still managed to play a major part in the creation and operations of the National Hot Rod Reunion, of late at Bowling Green, KY's Beech Bend Park, and most recently at National Trail Raceway. This year's NHRR, the first ever at National Trail Raceway, was The Old Chief's last drag race. May he rest in peace.

-Jim Hill