Randy Payne, of Rome Ga., picked up the nickname “Mr. Big Stuff” after piloting his famed Torino Cobra to many victories in the late 60s. Payne won many races in his division while racing his powerful Ford, including the first sanctioned drag race held in Canada.

Some credit Payne, along with fellow Hall of Famer Hubert Platt and Atlanta’s “Dyno Don” Nicholson for inventing match drag racing in the south in the mid-60s. Payne and Platt were teammates, taking on all comers in their hot rod Fords.

Payne was nominated driver of the year by Car Craft magazine four years in a row, and is also a member of the East Coast Drag Race Times Hall of Fame.