The first National Open was held in 1963, won by eventual two time Indianapolis 500 champion Gordon Johncock. 32 different drivers have won the National Open. Of those 32 drivers, four have attempted to qualify for the Indianapolis 500: Gordon Johncock, Larry Dickson, Steve Kinser, Sammy Swindell Of those four drivers, three were able to…
The Eldora Mile: The House that Earl Almost Built
Eldora and Earl Baltes. In many corners of the racing world, these names are synonymous, representing both risk and respect in every regard. A musician turned racetrack owner and promoter, the charismatic man with a flipped-up hat brim is widely regarded as one of the greatest promoters that racing has ever known. Earl’s story is…
The Test: Hodnett’s Brush with the IRL
Before I dive in, I feel the need to share some personal commentary in regards to this piece. This story is very personal for me, and here’s why… My best friend Brandon Dupert and I helped Greg Hodnett, Ryan Hand and the Heffner #27 team for the first time on July 26, 2017. We drove…
The Lebanon Gang: The Original PA Posse
Knoxville, Iowa may be known as “The Sprint Car Capital of the World”, but for many the soul of sprint car racing lies further east in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania. It’s here, among the corn fields and Appalachian Mountains, that the Pennsylvania Posse calls home. Composed of legendary drivers, historical dirt tracks and legions…
Super Heroes Never Die
Numb. That was the first thought that I managed to compose in the moments after Greg Hodnett’s passing. I was numb. I felt hollow. Nothing was real. This isn’t real. The accident, my friends and fellow racers mourning around me in the BAPS Motor Speedway pit area…none of this…none of this is real. It…
Ranger Powered Sprint Cars: How WWII Airplane Engines Found a Home in Sprint Car Racing
Imagine you’re in 1960’s America. The price of a gallon of gas is $0.34. Republican candidate Richard Nixon is running for office as the President of the United States. The Beatles’ latest tune plays on the radio. Mario Andretti and A.J. Foyt are stars on the USAC Championship car circuit, and Chet Wilson’s small block…