The board selected Mark Matejka to be the recipient of the 2014 Jerry Van Dyke Memorial Award, recognizing outstanding contribution to motorsports by an individual. Mark began his career as a driver, mechanic and crew chief in 1985. It was his skill as a mechanic that...
Edwin “Tex” Arnold was born in 1933, in Staten Island, Borough of Richmond, New York. Tex graduated from Lehigh University in 1955, with a Bachelor of Science degree and Second Lieutenant bars. After graduating “Top Gunner” in numerous pilot training classes, Tex’s...
Dave Crocker began racing in 1967 and soon realized he had a special talent behind the wheel. He quickly began winning races and in 1975 and 1976 Dave won supermodified season championships at Englewood Speedway in his famous number “78.” He was so dominant during...
Ernie was born in Denver in 1937. His love of racing began as a youngster helping his father build and maintain a midget that ran locally. In the 50’s, Ernie became involved in local racing at Lakeside Speedway and later, experienced one of his biggest racing...
When Ted was 13 years old he would sit on the curb and watch the open wheel race cars drive up Colorado Avenue on race day. This was in the 1940’s, before they were required to use trailers to transport the cars. That was when he decided he wanted to drive a race car...
Tom Frantz was born in 1943 in Denver. As early as eight years old, Tom was entering and winning car races sponsored by the Cub Scouts. By 12-years-old he was building race cars. In the early 1960s, his career then began in earnest with Tom racing in a car he built...
Bob Olds was born in 1927 in Denver. At age 13, while on his paper route in Park Hill, he was invited into Buddy Martinson’s garage to polish wheels and clean his midget racer. He did such a good job that the crew even snuck him into the pits at Gilmore for Turkey...
Russell “Doc” Simpson grew up in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania. His love affair with racing began at a very young age, as both his father, RG and his uncle, Ronald were involved in racing. As a matter of fact, Ronald became the first black mechanic to work at the...
Butch Speicher was born in 1942. Growing up near old Lakeside Speedway in north Denver, Butch grew to love racing. In 1966, he built a ’55 Chevy stock car and began his racing career. His “lucky red” race car, #73, changed often through the years as his natural talent...
Dave Strickland Jr., also known as “Kid Strickland” until he won his first championship, started racing Midgets on May 21, 1977. His career lasted through 2004. He is the son of USAC Midget star, three-time Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association Champion and 2004...
Recent Comments