Powerboat driver, engineer, executive, official

When NY state powerboat champ Strang asked Mercury Marine’s Carl Kiekhaefer why his company didn’t build a bigger outboard, Kiekhaefer said, “If you are so damn smart, why don’t you come and build it for us?” Strang did. The MIT mechanical engineering professor eventually rose to #2 at Mercury before becoming longtime chairman of Outboard Marine. He oversaw terrific growth at both and led the development of key outboard and stern-device technologies. As APBA president (1963-64) and safety commission member, Strang helped make it the nation’s premier boat-racing association and contributed to better life jackets and helmets. Similarly, as longtime vice president (and briefly president) of the Union of International Motorboating (UIM), he helped regulate powerboat racing in 44 nations and earned its Medal of Honor. Strang also served 10 years as National Commissioner for NASCAR. Strang was inducted into the National Marine Manufacturers Hall of Fame in 1990. In 2013, he was given the UIM’s Stefano Casiraghi Memorial Trophy for 50 years of excellence in the sport.