Earlier this year, DragCoverage published a powerful story about Rich Gebhardt, a father fighting stage-4 cancer who was determined to build one final race car for his son, Brad Gebhardt. That story touched thousands — a testament to the bond between a father and son and the strength of the racing community that rallied behind them.
Today, that story takes on an even deeper meaning as the drag racing world mourns Rich’s passing. He died yesterday, leaving behind a legacy built not only from metal and craftsmanship but from love, perseverance, and purpose.
The Chevy Cobalt Rich built for Brad became his final mission. Despite treatments, exhaustion, and the reality of his diagnosis, Rich poured everything he had left into the car. Friends stepped in to help, knowing what it meant to him: that Brad would forever own a true Gebhardt-built race car — his father’s last gift.
After his passing, Brad shared a deeply emotional message:
“We lost our Dad yesterday. I don’t have the words to describe how bad this hurts… He was my go-to, my best friend, my first call when I needed reassurance. He will forever be my hero.”
The car now stands as a rolling tribute — a piece of Rich’s heart, his craftsmanship, and his love for his son. It is a reminder of a father who refused to let time or illness stop him from completing what mattered most.
The drag racing community grieves alongside the Gebhardt family, honoring a man whose final act became a story of strength, devotion, and legacy
