Bob Gada has been around the Speedbowl for most of his life, and in fact witnessed the track being built as a kid in the early 1950's. He built quarter-midget race cars for his younger brother Chris 'Pete' Gada and when Pete was old enough, he started racing at the Speedbowl in the 1960's in cars that Bob built. With their older brother Larry, the 3 siblings formed the My Three Sons racing team and all began competing in the same division by 1970. During the 1972 Sportsman Sedan (Late Model) season, they became the first trio of brothers to each win a feature event in the same division during the same season.
Bob raced the longest of his 3 brothers and also was the most accomplished. He won his first championship in 1971 over 10-time winner Mike Daignault, then narrowly missed defending his title when he finished 1 point behind Ron Cote for the 1972 championship. Jerry Lilquist tied Gada one point behind Cote that year and it remains the closest 3-person championship battle in Speedbowl history. Bob won his 2nd championship in 1979, the last season for the Grand American Late Model division.
Mostly known for his career in the fendered Late Model divisions, Bob did race briefly in the Modifieds, winning a 50-lap feature on September 25, 1982. It was his last feature win of his Speedbowl career. By that time, his 4 sons had all begun racing, with the 2 oldest Mike & Bobby already in the Speedbowl's Super Stock division. During their Speedbowl careers, Bob Gada's sons Mike, Bobby, David and Dennis have each won races in both the Super Stock/Late Model division and the Modified/SK Modified division. In 1990, Dave became the first competitor to join his father on the Speedbowl's Track Champions list. He won again 1994, then youngest brother Dennis won a record 7 SK Modified Championship between 1999-2008. Bob's grandsons Joe and Adam are third generation drivers now carrying the Gada family tradition.
BOB GADA PHOTO ALBUM
all photos by Rene Dugas unless credited otherwise
