In 1969, after building engines as a hobby, Sonny Leonard opened up a two bay garage (Sonny's Garage) in Madison Heights, VA. Business grew and his 1968 Chevelle race car was sold for the down payment on a 1,000 sq. ft. building in Lynchburg, a short distance across the James River. Machines were added as business continued to grow and a 5,000 sq. ft. shop was purchased in 1977.

During this time, Sonny campaigned a number of race cars with the name "Southern Rat." In 1981, a violent testing accident caused by a suspension failure destroyed practically the entire car. The engine was salvaged and sold to Chuck and Charlie Sneed for their "Code of Arms" Pro Stock. Its success led to the development of a number of Pro Stock engines for them and helped attract other customers like Johnny Dowey, Carlton Phillips, Rickie Smith and Harold Denton.

In 1987, Bill Kuhlmann purchased a SAR 615 cu. in. engine kit over the phone. After shipping, Bill assembled the kit and made history - the first race out - by making the first 1/4 mile 200 MPH pass in a full-bodied car at Darlington, SC that spring. Being a racer himself, Sonny realized the importance of this accomplishment and he initiated a club to honor those who achieved this feat."

By 1989, the walls were bulging again and plans for a new 11,000 sq. ft. building were begun. In June of 1990, SONNY'S AUTOMOTIVE RACING moved into its present state-of-the-art facility that includes: two SuperFlow dynamometers, a five station head porting room, a sheetmetal and welding shop for fabricating manifolds, and separate engineering, tooling and conference rooms.

In 1991, Sonny started another 200 MPH Club. This one was for the unlimited Pro Stocks that have meant so much to him over the years and is in memory of Jim Ruth, a long remembered friend and dedicated customer. At the 1994 Fall Nationals in Bristol, TN, the 16 member Pro Stock 200 MPH Club was completed.

At present we have two CNC vertical mills. One five axis used to CNC port our cylinder heads also an in-house programmer and mechanical engineer.

Credentials:
SONNY'S AUTOMOTIVE RACING has more than 35 years of experience with racing engines.

• Home of more than 30 National and World racing record holders (land and sea)
• IHRA 7.90 class World Champion 1988 Jim Crawford (Chevy)
• 7 IHRA Pro Stock World Championships
• Rickie Smith -1986 (Ford)
• Rickie Smith -1987(Ford)
• Rickie Smith -1989 (Pontiac)
• Tommy Mauney Williford Farms - 1990 (Pontiac)
• Billy Huff - 1992 (Chevrolet)
• Doug Kirk - 1993 (Olds)
• Billy Huff -- 1994 (Olds)
• 1 Top Sortsman World Champion
• Steve Splawn - 2001 IHRA Top Sportsman
• the First full-bodied car over 200 MPH in the 1/4 mile with carburetors Pro Modified) -- Bill Kuhlmann - 202 MPH - March 1987 (Chevy)
• the First naturally-aspirated Dragster in the six second zone with a Powerglide -- 1991 Billy Dewitt -- 6.96 (Pontiac)
• the Winner of the 5th Setouchi Rose Cup Hiroshima, Japan -- Superboat class -- 1991 Mr. Cigarette Team
• The First Pro Stock in the six second zone -- 1991 Harold Denton 6.98/198 MPH (Pontiac)
• the First aluminum GM block to accommodate 700+ cubic inches in a joint project with Donovan Engineering -- 1990
• The First 800+ cubic inch GM based engine -- 1993
• The First 500+ cu. in. small block Chevy -- 1994
• The First 500+ Cu.in. NHRA Ford Pro Stock to run 200 mph - Robert Patrick - 2000
• IHRA Pro Stock E.T. Record Holder 6.60 - Jerry Yeoman - 2000
• IHRA Pro Stock MPH Record Holder 210.77 - John Montecalvo - 2000
• GM hemispherical head was designed and fully machined and debuted 2003
• NHRA/Competition Eliminator- Nick Mitsos/Vinnie DeCeglie R/U at NHRA Englishtown, NJ - 2003
• First GM Pro Stock to run 6.40's - John Montecalvo March 2003
• NHRA/Competition Eliminator- Nick Mitsos/Vinnie DeCeglie Record Holder for MPH & ET - 211.36 mph - 11-06-04 6.52 ET - 4-02-05
• 2005 Winner of the ARDL - Billy Pilcher with his new Sonny's 732 Hemispherical headed engine
• 2005 Two-time Winner NHRA Top Sportsman - Steve Derosa with his Sonny's 762 cu in engine 2005 $50,000.00 Big Dog Winner Troy Coughlin/Jeg's using his Sonny's Hemispherical Headed Engine. 2006 Vinnie DeCeglie #2 qualifier in Competition Eliminator with a 6.53 @ 212 MPH.