19th Annual AETC Online

Judson Massingill's - SCHOOL OF AUTOMOTIVE MACHINISTS (SAM)

Judson Massingill is the founder of the School of Automotive Machinists in Houston, Texas. Judson started drag racing in the late 60’s with a 69 Z/28 Camaro that he still owns today. He set his first national record in 1973, but in 1977 he decided to leave drag racing to go circle track racing. In 1978 he was track record holder and champion at the local ½ mile asphalt track. In 1981 Judson decided to try road racing. He set three track records, won the southern region championship in GT-1 and was the SCCA rookie of the year. After much success behind the wheel he quit driving to concentrate on building engines. Judson’s engines set records and won races in drag racing, circle track, road racing and offshore power boating.

In 1985 after having a difficult time finding and keeping qualified machinists Judson and his wife Linda founded The School of Automotive Machinists, SAM, to help fill a need for trained personnel in the motorsports industry. Today SAM graduates are employed in all aspects of motorsports. In 2008 eight of the top ten NHRA Prostock teams employ SAM graduates and in NASCAR all of the top 15 teams employ SAM graduates. Currently the SAM built ’99 Camaro is the fastest “all motor” LS-1 Camaro in the country and the SAM built NMRA mustang set the Hot Street record in 2007 and finished 4th in points.