Big John Mazmanian was a legendary car owner and builder who towered over the gasser wars era of Southern California drag racing. In the 1960s and 70s, Mazmanians name was practically a household word in Southland racing circles, thanks to promotions for gasser and funny car competitions at the regions drag strips each weekend. He was inducted into the National Hot Rod Assn.s Hall of Fame in 1989. Big John died July 21, 2006 of complications from leukemia. He was 80.