If you’ve been around GM vehicles for a bit and tend to enjoy twisting road courses and carving cones, you’ve likely heard the name Danny Popp rise to the surface a time or two. For those who haven’t, this planet is called – earth.

Danny Popp has become a household name not only because he is one of the most talented drivers hitting the autocross and open-road events, but also because of his personality. He is truly one of the good guys. You could say he was ‘raised right’ in a world where mobile devices were driven by petrol and wielded by a car-loving family. Danny attended autocross events with his parents and grew up around many examples of GM performance.

Danny is carrying on the tradition and his trophy shelf long overflowing with plaques, awards, and trophies of all heights. He’s a multiple SCCA National champ, has numerous NASA National titles, has won the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational numerous times, serving as the winningest driver in OUSCI history, as well as the numerous Goodguys shootouts and Holley LS Fest wins. Danny has used GM products with great results and continues to share his wealth of knowledge with others to help make them faster in their cars.

One such car that now fits Danny’s capable driving hands perfectly is a 1972 Corvette that has been in the family for decades and was breathed upon by the folks at Lingenfelter Performance Engineering. The transplanted LS7 engine has carried Danny to many class titles and championships over the years.

Danny moved on to a 2003 Z06 Corvette and instantly started winning. Which is a good thing, because that’s the only reason he purchased the vehicle. He didn’t even register it for street use during the first eight years he owned the car. He only slapped a plate on the car due to the Optima Batteries’ event requiring it. He now enjoys driving the car on the street as well as the track. Danny has also driven a white C6 Corvette, known as “Super Snoopy” in OUSCI events and has carried home more than a few trophies in that car as well.

Danny enjoys Corvettes and has carved corners in several different generations of the brand. Photo Credit: Lateral-G.net

While you will often see Danny behind the wheel of many events, you will just likely see him walking the track during an event, learning the varying nuances of the course, and sharing strategies with those in attendance, friends, and strangers. Popp says his favorite part of racing (besides the racing) is the long-lasting friendships one can gather through a mutual love of motorsports.

Those lasting friendships and kind gestures he has planted throughout the years have come back to Danny in a special way recently. Danny reportedly suffered a medical emergency recently and in true motorsports community fashion, so many people touched by Danny’s generosity have chipped in to help Danny with those mounting medical bills.

A recent GoFundMe page was started on Danny’s behalf. The page states, “Danny suffered a medical emergency last Tuesday. An emergency that will necessitate a lengthy stint in a rehabilitation facility following his hospital stay. Obviously, this will lead to extensive medical expenses…This is where all of us come in. Let’s show Danny and his loved ones the support they deserve. As the days pass, please continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers.”

If you would like to help Danny and his loved ones through this GoFundMe, join in with the folks who have already donated $21,000 dollars toward the goal of $50K. As the automotive community comes together to help those who helped make the sport great, we not only show our passion for the hobby but the compassion we share with those like-minded individuals who stand by us every day. If you can help defray the costs of Danny’s medical bills, thank you. If you can’t, perhaps some good thoughts headed Danny’s way might be the thing he needs most right now. Either way, we wish Danny a quick recovery and a completely healed condition. We hope to see you back on track soon!