The performance aftermarket and motorsports industry are mourning the loss of an off-road pioneer. Walker Evans, 86, passed away on August 3 following health complications. A 2022 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee and one of off-road racing's most decorated drivers, Evans was a five-time Baja 1000 winner and a 21-time championship titleholder with more than 150 wins to his name. His legacy was forged behind the wheel and under the hood--collaborating with automakers like Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge, and later founding Walker Evans Racing, which became a vital supplier of performance shocks and wheels for the off-road and powersports industries.

Evans helped introduce off-road racing to mainstream audiences, competing in both long-distance desert events and short-course series across the U.S., from Riverside to Crandon. He also played a role in launching NASCAR's Truck Series before returning to his off-road roots. His business acumen and passion for innovation influenced countless racers and entrepreneurs alike. Evans is survived by his wife, Phyllis, and son, Evan.

PRI sends its condolences to the Evans family.