05/11/2026
๐๐ป ๐ ๐ฒ๐บ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฅ๐ผ๐ฏ ๐๐๐ฐ๐ธ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฑ๐...
First off, Iโm deeply saddened by the passing of Rob. He was a great person with a huge passion for nostalgia drag racing and helping photographers get their start into the business. I was fortunate to work with Rob for many years at Nostalgia Drag World. He was also a big Chicago Blackhawks hockey fan.
Secondly Rob and I had become very close friends outside of the racing world. We were both there for each other in times of life and personal struggles and we always like to reminisce about the days growing up. Iโm sure going to miss all those late-night talks. REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN!!!!!!
- ๐๐ฎ๐ป ๐ฅ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ธ๐
This past week the sport of drag racing and especially nostalgia drag racing lost a great person. Rob Huckstadt founder, owner, and publisher of Nostalgia Drag World passed away leaving a hole in our sport. Rob was kind of an unsung hero of nostalgia drag racing. Instead of seeking the spotlight for himself he highlighted the work of countless photographers and writers, who in turn put a spotlight on nostalgia drag racing. Whether he intended to or not he is also responsible for creating many relationships and friendships through the people that contributed to Nostalgia Drag World.
For me it was a chance encounter at a race where Robโs and my paths crossed. I was blessed to have someone recognize my passion for the sport and to give me an outlet. And just like I shared before, through Rob I have been fortunate to develop many relationships and friendships with track owner/managers, fellow photographers, and drag racers. Rob granted me opportunities that I could have only dreamed of as a young, rabid drag racing fan. Most importantly, and most special to me was that he created opportunities for me to share with my father and son. It has never been lost on me how special it has been that the three Mike Sopkoโs got to travel around the Midwest covering drag racing or for my middle school aged son to have pictures published in Nostalgia Drag World. I will forever be thankful and appreciative, and for as much as I may have contributed to Nostalgia Drag World it pales in comparison to all that Rob had done for me and so many others.
Godspeed Rob, you will be missed!
- ๐ ๐ถ๐ธ๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐ผ๐ฝ๐ธ๐ผ ๐๐ฟ.
I worked with Rob Huckstadt for over 30 years. Initially, he had become my โmedia ticketโ to cover drag racing. Funny Car Chaos and other series just didnโt exist at the time, and it was difficult to get a media credential with NHRA and other professional series.
Rob and I talked on the phone or texted each other weekly. Ironically, we never met each other face to face.
Rob lived in Sandwich, Illinoisโฆ.. a name I always smiled at every time I thought about it.
In the early days of Nostalgia Drag World there was no logoโฆ.. just images submitted to Rob for the magazine. Eventually, and with Robโs permission, I created the logo for the magazine.
Rest in peace Robโค๏ธ You were a great friend and a pathway for many photographers that were unable to work for the โBig Boysโ.
- ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ถ๐ฏ๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐
Rob was such a generous man. As a young person looking to make contacts and gain momentum in the drag racing media world, he gave me a shot and was very supportive for many years. I was always excited to see my images in NDW.
Over the years, the CHAOS brand started and Rob was one of the first people to reach out to me and offer his assistance in finding new marketing partners, which I gladly accepted, and which he succeeded in!
He opened doors for me, he always had positive things to say, when we werenโt talking drag racing, we were talking hockey. Iโll miss those late night texts after a good playoff hockey game. Thank you Rob for the friendship and support over the years. We'll miss you buddy! Godspeed
- ๐๐ต๐ฟ๐ถ๐ ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐
