Two weeks ago (as of this writing), Robert Landy, son of world famous Dodge drag racer and ambassador, and NHRA multi-time champion Dick Landy, let the world know of the passing of his uncle, Mike on October 16, 2025, at the age of 77. Born on December 19, 1947, Mike Landy was instrumental in getting his older brother across the finish line faster and more consistently during Landy’s half-century-plus of competition.
Mike also served as the other half of the titular DLI (Dick Landy Industries) of Northridge, CA, providing customers with high performance engine products, technical guidance and most-importantly, top tier performance Mopar engines throughout the 1970’s and into the late 1990’s.
During the heated 1968 NHRA season, Dick brought in Mike to compete in the SS/FA class behind the wheel of a ‘68 Coronet R/T painted in the near-identical livery of Landy’s ’68 Charger that Dick raced. This double-team effort put Mike in the media limelight alongside his cigar-chomping brother.
The Landy brothers earned their fame racing big-inch Hemi engines for various Super, Pro Stock and Modified cars. Unfortunately, per Hot Rod Magazine, “the NHRA Pro Stock “weight breaks” [were] not very kind to the Hemi, forcing Landy towards the A-engine which had a much better weight break.”
This pushed the Landys into racing a 340cui Pro Stock Dodge Omni, which fatefully, became cost prohibitive at the time and forced Dick out of professional racing. Between then and January 24th, 2007 when Dick Landy passed away at the age of 69 years old due to kidney failure, the Landys focused on the commercial side of DLI, helping fellow Mopar enthusiasts and racers to achieve their goals.
To many, the legacy of the Landy brothers upon the Dodge brand has been as impactful as John and Horace themselves. The second generation Hemi engine wouldn’t be the lauded powerplant of such fame without the repeated wins accrued by Mike and Dick Landy, nor would the second generation Charger and first generation Challengers be as iconic as they are today. May God bless the Landy brothers and their families at this time.
