J. C. Agajanian
Joshua C. James "Aggie" Agajanian (June 16, 1913May 5, 1984) was an American motorsports promoter, race car owner, and Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee. Early life Agajanian was born in San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, just six months after his father had immigrated to the United States out of Armenia. He grew up a hard-working young man in the family's refuse collection and hog ranching businesses, which "Aggie" would later oversee. At 18, Agajanian had saved enough money to buy a race car. When he told his father that he was going to become a race car driver, the elder Agajanian's reaction was not what young Aggie had hoped. Looking at the car in the garage, his father said to J.C., "So, you are going to be a race driver, that's fine. Just a few things I want you to do first. Go kiss your mother goodbye, pack your bags since you won't be living here anymore and while you're at it, change your name." Promoting and racing life With over 45 deaths in motorsports during the 1930s, Agajanian's father did not let him race the car, only letting him keep it as an owner. While Agajanian never achieved his