Eye Problems Force Amato to Retire

Joe Amato, the winningest top-fuel driver in drag-racing history, went out on a losing note Sunday after announcing his retirement an hour before the Auto Club Finals began at Pomona Raceway.

Winner of a record five National Hot Rod Assn. championships, Amato, 56, said problems with torn retinas forced him to make Sunday his final appearance.

“I’m not pleased to get out, but my doctor said I would be at risk if I continued racing, considering the high G-forces we undergo,” he said.

According to his doctors, Amato has thin retinas, a hereditary condition.

“My plan was to drive a fan-appreciation farewell season in 2001,” Amato said, “but last Thursday I decided the smartest and safest thing for me to do is get out of the car right now.”

He finished fourth Sunday.

“It’s hard to give up that adrenaline rush you feel when you’re going 300 mph in a hot rod, but I’ll stay close to drag racing as a team owner and maybe in some other capacities. I’m close to getting a sponsor for 2001, and when I do I’ll announce a driver for my car and we’ll be ready for the Winternationals in February.”

In the first round Sunday, Amato’s final run went up in a cloud of smoke as his tires spun violently coming off the starting pad. It made David Grubnic an easy winner in 4.918 seconds.