Richard D. Moroso, commonly called “Dick”, was an American hot rodder, drag racer, and businessman.[1]
Moroso grew up in Old Greenwich CT and started selling speed parts out of his family's basement in the early 1960s under the name Speed Associates. In the mid-1960s, Moroso and then partner Hank Dietrich opened Performance Automotive in Stamford CT.[2][3]
Moroso founded Moroso Performance Products, to supply aftermarket automotive parts to fellow hot rodders, in 1968, the year his son, Rob, was born.[2][3]
He served as son Rob's owner and sponsor for much of his racing career.[2][3]
Driving a 1961 Corvette, Moroso won one NHRA national title, in D/MP (D Modified Production), at the 1966 NHRA Nationals, held at Indianapolis Raceway Park. His winning pass was 13.32 seconds at 103.21 mph (166.10 km/h).[4]
Moroso had a son, Rob,[9] who raced in NASCAR before he was killed while driving at more than twice the blood/alcohol limit in 1990.[10] Dick had other children, Rick, who currently runs the company, and a daughter, Susan.