Darrell Zimmerman began his racing career in stock cars but soon turned his attention to drag racing. His first drag racing trophy came in 1953 driving his Full House Flathead 1951 Ford Coupe. He set 22 track records during his drag racing career. In 1956, Zimmerman was appointed National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Regional Advisor for the West Central Division of the NHRA, and in 1961 became the Division Director for the NHRA West Central Division.