SCORE Mourns Passing of ‘Papa Butch’ Dean

SCORE sends condolences and prayers to the family of Butch Dean, a prominent race car builder and mentor from Las Vegas, who has passed away. Owner of Valley Performance in Las Vegas, he helped ‘raise’ and mentor in desert racing many Las Vegas superstars including Herbst brothers Ed, Tim, and Troy, Rob MacCachren and BJ Baldwin.  A major part of his legacy is his family, including sons Pat Dean, JC Dean and grandsons James Dean, and Jordan Dean, all prominent desert racers, especially in SCORE events.

     Some of the winningest drivers, many of whom are in the Hall of Fame, were mentored by Butch Dean, starting with his own family and including MacCachren, Baldwin, Bud Feldkamp, Jack Johnson, Brian Collins, and generations of the Herbst and Gaughan families.

     SCORE champion racer Troy Herbst said it best, “I wouldn’t be sitting here today if it wasn’t for ‘Papa Butch’ Dean. He taught me how to drive from the shop. He didn’t sit next to me; he wasn’t out on the course. You’d come back to the shop and the bumper was gone and he knew exactly what happened. An amazing friend to Jerry Herbst. We would not be where we are at today without his mentorship and knowledge.”

     Butch Dean, who was known as ‘Papa Butch’ by those he mentored, was elected into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2022. He was part of the foundation and a pillar in desert racing in Southern Nevada. His legacy will live on and he will be missed and remembered by all in desert racing, especially SCORE International.