Questions! Questions! Questions!
March 4, 2008, 4:40 pm
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Questions! Questions! Questions! | Tags:
April Farmer,
Bill Holder,
Bill Nelson,
Bill Sawyer,
Bob Sargent,
Brad Byrd,
Brent Robinson,
Bret Emrick,
Brian Birkhofer,
Brian Shirley,
Brian Tidball,
Chris Dolack,
Chris Garnes,
Chris Rhodes,
Chris Smyser,
Chris Stepan,
Clint Coffman,
Clint Elkins,
Clint Smith,
Corey Conley,
Craig Vosbergen,
Dan Stone,
Dave Mateer,
Dave Seay,
Denny Eckrich,
DJ Miller,
Doug Drown,
Doug Horton,
Dustin Jarrett,
Eddie Carrier Jr,
Eric Zembower,
George Lee,
GR Smith,
Greg Eckl,
Ivedent Lloyd,
Jack Cornett,
Jason Covert,
Jeep Van Wormer,
Jim Bernheisel,
Jordan Bland,
Josh McGuire,
Josh McMorrow,
Kelly Carlson,
Kelly Carlton,
Kelly Hanvey,
Kyle Berck,
Mark Richards,
Marshall Green,
Matt Lux,
Mike Farr,
Mike Knight,
Randle Chupp,
Rich Gardner,
Rick Eshelman,
Ritchie Lewis,
Robbie Scott,
Roger Slack,
Ron Slavic,
Russ Bradford,
Ryan Dauber,
Ryan Markham,
Sara Brookover,
Sean Cosgrove,
Shane Clanton,
Steve Barnett,
Terry Young,
Tina Heil,
Tommy Elston,
Warren Bishop,
Wayne Castleberry
From 2006-2007: This is a monthly feature where dirt Late Model drivers, promoters, sanction officials, manufacturers and various others are all poised the same question with their responses gathered here.
What is your favorite sport outside of racing?
Brian Birkhofer (Driver) – Football, no doubt! Chris Smyser (Driver) – My favorite sport outside of racing is hunting. I love to be in the outdoors!
Brent Robinson (Driver) – Snowboarding
George Lee (Driver) – Football
Sean Cosgrove (Driver) – Golf
Kelly Hanvey (Driver) – UFC (Ultimate Fighting)
Marshall Green (Driver) – Bass fishing
Jeep Van Wormer (Driver) – Hockey
Jason Covert (Driver) – Hunting the elusive Pennsylvania Whitetail Buck.
April Farmer (Driver) – Motocross
Doug Drown (Driver) – College basketball and football
Tommy Elston (Driver) – Football
Jordan Bland (Driver) – Football
Ivedent Lloyd (Driver) – Hunting & golf – just don’t get to go much
Eric Zembower (Driver) – Golf
G.R. Smith (Driver) – College football (West Virginia!)
Jim Bernheisel (Driver) – Football
Chris Rhodes (Driver) – I really have no time for other sports. I watch football with the wife now and then.
Jeff Provinzino (Driver) – Football
Josh McGuire (Driver) – Football and Mixed Marshall Arts
Clint Elkins (Driver) – Golf
Dan Stone (Driver) – Ice hockey
Josh McMorrow (Driver) – Hunting & fishing
Greg Eckl (Driver) – Fishing
DJ Miller (Driver) – Golf
Trevor Phillips (Driver) – Wrestling, I have wrestled since the 4th grade. I placed 3rd. at State in 6th grade and 8th at State in the 10th grade.
Bob Sargent (Promoter) – Football
Wayne Castleberry (Marketing guru) – NFL or College Football
Spencer Wilson (Lucas Series) – Now Doc c’mon…I live in Kentucky! Of course the answer is College Basketball (UK of course). I mean God did create College Basketball to get us race fans through the off-seasons didn’t he? Think about it…College Basketball season starts in late October/early November (when race season is ending) and concludes in March (when race season is getting cranked up).
Brad Byrd (TTDCS) – College football
Mike Farr (Genesis Shocks) – Football (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Mark Richards (Rocket) – Football
Dave Mateer (American Racer) – Baseball
Chris Stepan (Promoter) – NFL Football and NCAA Men’s Basketball are dead even.
Ron Slavic (Slavic Shirts) – Football
Tina Heil (Track Manager) – Wrestling
Brian Tidball (VMS) – Is there a sport outside of racing?
Rick Eshelman (Announcer) – Hockey – almost as much contact as racing!
Brian Scott (Scott Wire) – Rodeo
Chris Dolack (DIRT) – Baseball
Terry Young (Hoosier) – Baseball – Go Cardinals!
Kelly Carlton (Southern Allstars) – Pro Football – Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts
What is your all-time, most favorite television show?
Brian Birkhofer (Driver) – Married With Children
Jeep VanWormer (Driver) – Survivor
Chris Smyser (Driver) – My all-time favorite is the new Battlestar Galactica on Sci-Fi. I love that type of stuff!
Brent Robinson (Driver) – 24
Sean Cosgrove (Driver) – Hogan’s Heroes & MASH (can’t have one and not the other!)
Kelly Hanvey (Driver) – Magnum PI
Doug Drown (Driver) – The Little Rascals
Ivedent Lloyd (Driver) – Married With Children (Al is King!)
Marshall Green (Driver) – Hee Haw
April Farmer (Driver) – Desperate Housewives
Tommy Elston (Driver) – Survivor
Jordan Bland (Driver) – Speed Report
Chris Rhodes (Driver) – Law And Order
Eric Zembower (Driver) – Andy Griffith Show
G.R. Smith (Driver) – Rescue Me
Jason Covert (Driver) – Seinfeld
Jeff Provinzino (Driver) – The Honeymooners
Josh McGuire (Driver) – Old show: Night Rider. New show: Boston Legal
Jim Bernheisel (Driver) – Hogan’s Heroes
Clint Elkins (Driver) – That 70’s Show
Josh McMorrow (Driver) – The Dukes of Hazzard
Dan Stone (Driver) – Dukes of Hazzard
DJ Miller (Driver) – Survivor
Trevor Phillips (Driver) The OC
Greg Eckl (Driver) – Gunsmoke
George Lee (Driver) – Law & Order
Spencer Wilson (Lucas Series) – My all-time favorite would have to be “Seinfeld”. After the show being out of production for several years now I still scan the TV Guide looking for re-runs.
Wayne Castleberry (Marketing guru) – Seinfeld
Chris Dolack (DIRT) – Seinfeld
Bob Sargent (Promoter) – Don’t watch much television, it would have to be Andy Griffith Show
Brian Tidball (VMS) – Toss up between MASH and WKRP
Mark Richards (Rocket) – Almost anything on the Discovery Channel.
Mike Farr (Genesis Shocks) – The West Wing
Brad Byrd (TTDCS) – Andy Griffith Show
Dave Mateer (American Racer) – The Addams Family
Chris Stepan (Promoter) – ESPN’s SportCenter – I could watch sports highlights over and over and over – they never get old!)
Ron Slavic (Slavic Shirts) – Seinfeld
Tina Heil (Track Manager) – Grey’s Anatomy
Rick Eshelman (Announcer) – M*A*S*H without a doubt!
Brian Scott (Scott Wire) – MASH
Terry Young (Hoosier) – Seinfeld
Kelly Carlton (Southern Allstars) – Emergency! Johnny and Roy sparked my interest in my real career.
In your opinion, who is the greatest comedian of all time?
Brian Birkhofer (Driver) – Andrew Dice Clay
Chris Smyser (Driver) – My all-time favorite comedian is Rodney Carrington. That guy is hilarious!
Brent Robinson (Driver) – Larry The Cable Guy
Jeep Van Wormer (Driver) – Chris Rock
Sean Cosgrove (Driver) – Leslie Nielson
Kelly Hanvey (Driver) – Ron White
Marshall Green (Driver) – Redd Foxx
April Farmer (Driver) – Larry The Cable Guy
Tommy Elston (Driver) – Chris Rock
Jeff Provinzino (Driver) – Andrew Dice Clay
Chris Rhodes (Driver) – Eddie Murphy
Jordon Bland (Driver) – Rodney Carrington
Brent Robinson (Driver) – Larry The Cable Guy
Eric Zembower (Driver) – Jonathan Winters
G.R. Smith (Driver) – Chris Rock
Doug Drown (Driver) – Chris Rock
Josh McGuire (Driver) – D.L. Hughley
Jason Covert (Driver) – Howard Stern
Jim Bernheisel (Driver) – Mel Brooks
Clint Elkins (Driver) – Chris Farley
Josh McMorrow (Driver) – Larry The Cable Guy
Ivedent Lloyd (Driver) – Eddie Murphy
Dan Stone (Driver) – Larry The Cable Guy
Greg Eckl (Driver) – George Carlin
George Lee (Driver) – Bill Cosby, Larry the Cable Man
Trevor Phillips (Driver) – Larry The Cable Guy (I don’t care who you are that’s funny!)
DJ Miller (Driver) – Eddie Murphy
Mark Richards (Rocket) – Johnny Carson
Mike Farr (Genesis Shocks) – Bill Cosby & Richard Pryor
Brad Byrd (TTDCS) – George Carlin
Bob Sargent (Promoter) – Red Skelton
Spencer Wilson (Lucas Series) – Oh that’s an easy one…Ron White, anyone that travels with me during the race season knows that normally I don’t leave home without my Ron White “You Can’t Fix Stupid” CD. He really has some great stuff.
Wayne Castleberry (Marketing guru) – Robin Williams
Chris Dolack (DIRT) – Stephen Wright
Brian Tidball (VMS) – George Carlin. 7 words you can’t say on TV, seems to me that list has be reduced since he did that bit.
Terry Young (Hoosier) – Richard Pryor
Kelly Carlton (Southern Allstars) – Lewis Grizzard – What a humorist. With titles like When My Love Returns from the Ladies Room Will I Be Too Old to Care? and Elvis is Dead and I Don’t Feel So Good Myself – How could any southerner not enjoy his musing.
Rick Eshelman (Announcer) – Rodney Dangerfield
Brian Scott (Scott Wire) – Robin Williams
Dave Mateer (American Racer) – Bob Hope
Chris Stepan (Promoter) – Eddie Murphy
Ron Slavic (Slavic Shirts) – Eddie Murphy
Who do you feel has been the greatest President of the United States of all time?
Brian Birkhofer (Driver) – Bill ClintonJeep Van Wormer (Driver) – Thomas JeffersonChris Smyser (Driver) – FDR Because he brought us through some of the toughest times that this country has ever been through and made us a lot stronger in doing it.Kelly Hanvey (Driver) – We haven’t had the greatest yet! But we’ve had some very good ones. But myself like most Americans (I’m sure) are still waiting on the best (n our lifetime)
Brad Byrd (TTDCS) – Ronald Reagan
Dave Mateer (American Racer) – Franklin Roosevelt
Chris Stepan (Promoter) – Abraham Lincoln
Ron Slavic (Slavic Shirts) – I didn’t know there was a great one.
Brent Robinson (Driver) – George Washington
Sean Cosgrove (Driver) – Ronald Reagan
Marshall Green (Driver) – FDR
April Farmer (Driver) – I really don’t favor a president.
Tommy Elston (Driver) – Bill Clinton
Jordan Bland (Driver) – Teddy Roosevelt
Mike Farr (Genesis Shocks) – John Kennedy
Tina Heil (Track Manager) – Ronald Reagan
Rick Eshelman (Announcer) – George Washington
Brian Scott (Scott Wire) – George Washington
Terry Young (Hoosier) – John F. Kennedy
Kelly Carlton (Southern Allstars) – George Washington – he had a ton to do in his term and somehow got it all done.
Brent Robinson (Driver) – George Washington
Eric Zembower (Driver) – Bill Clinton. No wars, great economy, low gas prices and no deficit (with surplus) during his 8 years.
Wayne Castleberry (Marketing guru) – Ronald Reagan
G.R. Smith (Driver) – Ronald Reagan
Brian Tidball (VMS) – Thomas Jefferson
Josh McGuire (Driver) – Bill Clinton
Jason Covert (Driver) – It has to be a 3 way tie in my opinion, Lincoln (Civil War), Washington (Birth of a Nation) & FDR(WWII)
Jim Bernheisel (Driver) – Teddy Roosevelt
Bob Sargent (Promoter) – JFK
Clint Elkins (Driver) – Ronald Reagan
Dan Stone (Driver) – FDR
Greg Eckl (Driver) – John F. Kennedy
Spencer Wilson (Lucas Series) – Now that is a tough one…I don’t know if I can make who the greatest President has been. Personally there are traits of a couple that I liked and they are on two totally different ends of the spectrum – Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. Of course both of those have traits I did not care for as well.
Mark Richards (Rocket) – In my time-Reagan. All Time-Lincoln.
George Lee (Driver) – John F. Kennedy
Chris Dolack (DIRT) – George Washington
Doug Drown (Driver) – I haven’t had one in my lifetime yet that sticks out as the greatest
Josh McMorrow (Driver) – George Washington
DJ Miller (Driver) – Abraham Lincoln
Ivedent Lloyd (Driver) – Bill Clinton (he knew how to pick interns)
Trevor Phillips (Driver) – President FDR because he was elected 4 times which makes him then and forever the only president to do so. The luckiest president ever is President Ford. People spend their entire life trying to get to that office and he just happened to be in the right place at the right time in our history. There is a saying that goes. It’s better to be lucky than good any day of the week. I want to be that lucky.
Chris Rhodes (Driver) – Ronald Reagan
Jeff Provinzino (Driver) – Bill Clinton
Who is your hero in racing?
Randall Chupp – Larry Moore
Brian Birkhofer – John Force
Eric Zembower – Dave Marcus
Matt Lux – Bob Wearing, Senior, Keith Kauffman
Eddie Carrier, Jr – My Dad
Ritchie Lewis (Lucas Oil) – David Pearson & Jeff Purvis
Ryan Dauber – Ken Walton
Brent Robinson – Dale Earnhardt
Robbie Scott – Mark Richards
Bret Emrick (WoO) – A.J. Foyt – he raced anything and everything whether dirt or pavement, oval or road course, open wheel or full bodied. And he won.
Clint Coffman – Larry Moore
DJ Miller – Dale Earnhardt Sr. The legend will live on forever.
Josh McGuire – My uncle, Wayne McGuire
Al Varnadore (Crossville Raceway) – David Pearson as a racer, Earl Baltes as a promoter
Dave Mateer (American Racer) – Jack Hewitt
Kelly Carlton (SAS) – I have taken a lot of wisdom from B.J. Parker
Terry Young (Hoosier Mid West) – Bob Newton of Hoosier Racing Tire. To be able to take his passion for racing and put that into a company that has become the #1 racing tire supplier in the United States. What this man has put into place is unparalleled.
George Lee – My hero in racing would be David Pearson (hence #21!)
Chris Smyser – My hero in racing is my Dad. He was a great racer and he brought me into the sport and taught me everything I know about racing. He taught me how to race hard and clean and how to be a good sportsman and help out other racers when they need it. I learned by his example and I’m trying my best to live up to it.
Jordan Bland – Chad Kanus
Rich Gardner – Don Garlits. I know it’s odd for a circle track racer to admire a drag racer but he is all the things I wish I could be. He’s a hard worker, winner, innovator, & good person.
Rick Eshelman (WoO) – Earl Baltes, the man has brought dirt racing to the highest
level!
Jim Bernheisel – National Level – Richard Petty; Local Level – Skip Furlow
Mike Knight – Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Roger Slack (Lowe’s) – Humpy Wheeler/Earl Baltes/Tom Curley/Glenn Donnelly
Doug Drown – Chub Frank (worked for what he has)
Jack Cornett (Cornett Engines) – Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Brian Tidball (VMS) – Sonny Hutchins, grew up watching him on asphalt and dirt. Over 400 career wins and was and is my hero
Chris Kearns (Western Allstars) – A.J. Foyt
What comic book character would you most like to be?
Brian Birkhofer – Batman
Randall Chupp – Batman
Matt Lux – Green Lantern
Eddie Carrier, Jr – Superman
Ryan Dauber – Garfield
Robbie Scott – Mighty Mouse
Clint Coffman – Spiderman
Eric Zembower – Superman
DJ Miller – Spiderman. That web stuff would come in handy when you’re trying to reel in the leader!
Dave Mateer (American Racer) – Jimmy Olsen
Josh McGuire – Ghost Rider
Al Varnadore (Crossville Raceway) – Spiderman
Chris Smyser – I would most like to be Lightning McQueen! Superfast, a good friend and he’s got Sally! He’s the man!
Jordan Bland – Incredible Hulk
Rich Gardner – Definitely Batman/ He has a cool, no, super cool car!
Rick Eshelman (WoO) – Incredible Hulk
Jim Bernheisel – The Roadrunner (he never got caught!)
Mike Knight – Superman
Roger Slack (Lowe’s) – Batman
Doug Drown – I only know race car drivers didn’t have time for comics
Jack Cornett (Cornett Engines) – Conan
Brian Tidball (VMS) – Harold Hedd! (heeheehee) 1970’s underground comics!
Chris Kearns (Western Allstars) – Invisible Man
Bret Emrick (WoO) – I really was never into comic books as a kid. I did watch the ‘Batman and Robin’ TV show only because my younger brother had to watch it.
Rithie Lewis (Lucas Oil) – Incredible Hulk
Terry Young (Hoosier Midwest) – Superman
Kelly Carlton (SAS) – Spiderman
Brent Robinson – Incredible Hulk
Who is your hero outside of racing?
Brian Birkhofer – Larry Flynt
Randall Chupp – My Mom
Matt Lux – My family
Eddie Carrier, Jr. – James Bond
Ryan Dauber – Jordan
Brent Robinson – My parents
Robbie Scott – My Parents
Eric Zembower – My Dad
Clint Coffman – My father, Ernie Coffman
DJ Miller – My wife, Barb. To be married to a guy like me for 25 years, she has got to be something special!
Dave Mateer (American Racers) – My father
Terry Young (Hoosier Midwest) – My children Hannah and Sarah
Ritchie Lewis (Lucas Oil) – The Good Lord and my family Ritchie Neil, Cole, Jesse, Jayme and my wife Sheila.
Kelly Carlton (SAS) – No question my dad Russell
Josh McGuire – Rocky Balboa
Al Varnadore (Crossville Raceway) – Both my parents for doing a great job in raising my Brothers and I.
Chris Smyser – My hero outside of racing is my wife. She lets me devote a lot of my time, energy and money to my passion. She and my daughter stand behind me and I wouldn’t trade them for all the racing equipment in the world!
Jordan Bland – My Mom
Rich Gardner – As a hard core conservative I love to read Ann Coulter as she skewers liberals.
Roger Slack (Lowe’s) – Minor-league baseball promoter Mike Veeck
Rick Eshelman (WoO) – My father
Jim Bernheisel – My Dad
Mike Knight – My Dad
Doug Drown – My Dad (hardest working man I know)
Jack Cornett (Cornett Engines) – My Dad
Brian Tidball (VMS) – Anyone who can balance their time between career, family and somehow have a minute or two for themselves
Chris Kearns (Western Allstars) – John Walsh (national center for missing and exploited children)
Bret Emrick (WoO) – It would have to be my mother. What she has gone through and continues to battle medically the past few years; most people would’ve surrendered.
What is your favorite candy bar?
Brian Birkhofer – Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Matt Lux – Snickers with Almonds
Randall Chupp – $100,000 Bar
Eddie Carrier, Jr. – Snickers
Brent Robinson – Snickers
Ryan Dauber – Sour Patch Kids
Robbie Scott – Hershey With Almonds
Ritchie Lewis (Lucas Oil) – Snicker with Almonds
Clint Coffman – Snickers
Josh McGuire – Snickers
Eric Zembower – Snickers
Terry Young (Hoosier Midwest) – Milky Way
Kelly Carlton (SAS) – Twix
Rich Gardner – Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Al Varnadore (Crossville Raceway) – Heath
DJ Miller – Snickers
Dave Mateer (American Racers) – Milky Way Midnight
Chris Smyser – Three Musketeers
Jordan Bland – Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup
Jim Bernheisel – Hershey’s Chocolate Bar
Rick Eshelman (WoO) – Zero
Mike Knight – Snickers
Roger Slack (Lowe’s) – Snickers (frozen)
Doug Drown – Snickers
Jack Cornett (Cornett Engines) – Kit Kat
Brian Tidball (VMS) – Snickers
Chris Kearns (Western Allstars) – Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup
Bret Emrick (WoO) – Snickers. But, I can’t have them anymore due to a medical condition. So, it’s original Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
What is your dream ‘passenger’ car?
Randall Chupp – Saleen S-7 Twin Turbo
Brian Birkhofer – ’68 Chevelle with a Big Block and 20″ wheels
Matt Lux – Shelby Mustang
Eddie Carrier, Jr – Shelby Mustang
Ryan Dauber – 68′ Cobra
Brent Robinson – Dodge Viper
Robbie Scott – Mustang Shelby
Ritchie Lewis – 1957 Thunderbird convertible
Clint Coffman – New corvette Z06
Jordan Bland – Lamborghini Gallardo
Eric Zembower – Big ole custom 1980 Cadillac for road trips
Terry Young (Hoosier Midwest) – ‘70 Chevelle SS
Kelly Carlton (SAS) – Lamborghini Gallardo
DJ Miller – Corvette convertible
Dave Mateer (American Racer) – 1959 Triumph TR-3A
Josh McGuire – McClaren F1
Al Varnadore (Crossville Raceway) – BMW M5
George Lee – I own one, 1969 BOSS 302
Chris Smyser – My dream car is the Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren – just a tad out of my price range though!
Rich Gardner – ’69 Camaro SS, I will have one soon
Rick Eshelman (WoO) – Monte Carlo SS autographed by the Intimidator
Jim Bernheisel – 1970 Plymouth Superbird
Mike Knight – 1969 Mach 1 Ford Mustang
Doug Drown – Corvette Stingray
Roger Slack (Lowe’s) – My 2007 velocity yellow Corvette Convertible
Jack Cornett (Cornett Engines) – Ferrari
Brian Tidball (VMS) – A nice street rod, a coach
Chris Kearns (Western Allstars) – 427 Cobra
Bret Emrick – Lamborghini
What is your favorite soft drink?
Brian Birkhofer – Diet PepsiRandall Chupp – Mountain DewMatt Lux – Mountain DewEddie Carrier, Jr – Mountain Dew
Ryan Dauber – Old Mil
Ritchie Lewis (Lucas Oil) – Sprite or a Butterfinger Blizzard is always really nice
Terry Young (Hoosier Midwest) – Mountain Dew – at least a 6 pack per day. A guy has to get caffeine from somewhere
Kelly Carlton (SAS) – Dr. Pepper
Brent Robinson – Mountain Dew
Robbie Scott – Coca Cola
Eric Zembower – Pepsi
Clint Coffman – IBC Root Beer
DJ Miller – Coca Cola
Dave Mateer (American Racer) – Coca Cola
Josh McGuire – Mountain Dew
Al Varnadore (Crossville Raceway) – Coca Cola
George Lee – Mountain Dew
Chris Smyser – No question, gotta do the Dew!
Jordan Bland – Coca Cola
Rich Gardner – PA Dutch Birch Beer. Most of your readers probably never heard of it but it’s great!
Rick Eshelman (WoO) – Diet Coke (goes great with a Zero Bar)
Jim Bernheisel – Pepsi
Roger Slack (Lowe’s) – Diet Coke
Mike Knight – Pepsi
Doug Drown – Coca Cola on the rocks
Jack Cornett (Cornett Engines) – Mountain Dew
Brian Tidball (VMS) – Northern Neck Ginger Ale, “A Virginia Tradition for over 70 years”
Chris Kearns (Western Allstars) – Diet Squirt (maybe with a little Vodka)
Bret Emrick (WoO) – Pepsi
What person, famous or not, would you most like to meet from history that is no longer with us?
Marshall Green (driver) – Elvis Presley
Brian Birkhofer (driver) – Tim Richmond. He was a rockstar style race car driver and lived the life.Kelly Hanvey (driver) – Dang I live so much for the now this is a hard question. I guess my grandfather Hanvey. I never meet him, he died soon after returning from WWII.
Chris Smyser (driver) – I would most like to meet Albert Einstein. Just to talk with him and see what it is like to know someone with such an amazing intellect.
Ryan Markham (driver) – Albert Einstein
Bret Emrick (WoO LMS) – My paternal grandfather. He passed away shortly after I was born.Bill Nelson (promoter) – John WayneApril Farmer (driver) – I would love to speed the day with Dale Earnhardt.
Steve Barnett (driver) – Elvis
Rich Gardner (driver) – Jesus Christ
Eric Zembower (driver) – Sam Nunis. He was the eastern Big Car, Sprint car, Midget & Stock Car racing promoter of the 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. He worked for the famed Ralph Hankinson and took over the circuit after Hankinson’s death. This (in my opinion) was the most romantic period in racing.
Kyle Berck (driver) – Ronald Reagan
Terry Young (Hoosier) – That is no longer with us, does Doug Bland count? I assume you mean that is no longer alive… in that case it would probably be my great grandparents. To be able to set down for a day with them to get educated on how life was in their era.
Bill Holder (NDLMHOF) – Being a vintage military aviation fan, I’d have to say Jimmy Doolittle.
Rick Eshelman (announcer) – Noah from the ark— How did he put up with the smell of two of each creatures sh– smell???????
Warren Bishop (Aussie driver) – Winston Churchill & Adolf Hitler
Clint Smith (driver) – Dale Earnhardt
Shane Clanton (driver) – My Grandfather on my Dad’s side.
Doug Drown (driver) – Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Corey Conley (driver) – My grandfather. Killed at Muskingum County Speedway
before I was born.
Chris Rhodes (driver/engine builder) – Kenny Weld. He was an innovator in the racing industry.
Doug Horton (driver) – Smokey Yunick
Jimmy Bernheisel (driver/car builder) – Ronald Reagan. Strong willed, kind hearted & funny. One of our nation’s greatest presidents!
Bill Sawyer (promoter) – John Wayne
Brian Shirley (driver) – I guess Dale Earnhardt, Sr. He was quite a hellraiser, no nonsense kind of guy while racing but quiet and simple off the track. One of the greatest racers of our time. It would be awesome if he could just watch one race and give it to me straight. Coming from him, even an insult would be a big compliment.
Sara Brookover (driver) – JFK or John Lennon
Russ Bradford (Sunoco) – There are a bunch of people I would have liked to meet including Abraham Lincoln, Henry Ford, Napoleon, and even Albert Einstein. But I would say if I had the ability to travel back in time and meet just one person, I would have to say that person would be Jesus Christ.
Denny Eckrich (driver) – My grandfather, Frank Eckrich. He taught us so much.
Ben Geisler (DIRT) – My Grandfather, passed away the year I was born
Craig Cassell (crew chief) – Larry Detjens… He was from Wisconsin and ran asphalt late models & ASA in the 70’s and early 80’s. He was a good family friend and a hell of a driver (so I’m told). He lost his life in a wreck at Kaukauna, Wisconsin in 1981. He’d come west and run my Grandfather’s track and a number of other races, and he’d usually win. I’d just like to pick his brain about his approach to racing.
Craig Vosbergen (Aussie driver) – JFK
Tina Heil (general manager)- My Grandpa Jacobs. I was very young when he passed away. If you want me to choose someone I’ve never met then I would say Ronald Reagan
Dustin Jarrett (announcer) – Without a doubt, Jesus is at the top of the list. After that (and like many others), I would love to have the chance to meet the late, great Dale Earnhardt.
(c)2006-2008 Doc Lehman
REMEMBERING “BLACK” JACK BOGGS
March 1, 2008, 6:07 pm
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REMEMBERING “BLACK” JACK BOGGS | Tags:
ASCoC,
Black Jack Boggs,
Bret Emrick,
CEDAR LAKE OUTLAW NATIONALS,
CJ Rayburn,
Dirt Track World Championship,
EAST BAY NATIONALS,
Garland Flaugher,
Hav-A-Tampa/UDTRA,
Hillbilly 100,
HUB CITY NATIONALS,
Jack Boggs,
Jackie Boggs,
JACKSON 100,
Jim Dunn,
NASCAR Busch All Stars,
National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame,
NDRA,
NORTH-SOUTH 100,
PROS,
Southern All Stars,
STARS,
UMP,
USAC,
World 100,
World of Outlaws
The auto racing community was shocked and left in dismay nearly four years ago this coming March when news broke that dirt Late Model superstar “Black” Jack Boggs, 49, of Grayson, KY, had left us. Black Jack Boggs had, especially since 1980, established himself as one of the true superstars of dirt Late Model racing having won most of the premier events around the country at least once.
Jack Boggs was a great racer who was always in contention to win. During his prime years no one was as focused or resolved about winning as Boggs was. He ran his racing operation like a business and watched out for his loyal crewmembers. During the 1980s especially, Jack Boggs proved himself as an elite driver in the sport. And not only was he a winner and a contender, but Jack Boggs also was a fan favorite.
Simply put, Black Jack Boggs sold tickets. Lots of tickets, which, one must assume, made him a favorite among promoters. Jack Boggs always brought excitement and daring to the races he entered. Sometimes he brought controversy, but with Jack Boggs in the pits no one could deny that some excitement was about to erupt trackside.
Muriel Jackson Boggs was born April 4, 1950, in Webbville, KY, to James Arley Boggs, Sr., and Hattie (Sizemore) Boggs.
After dabbling in street and drag racing in the early 1970’s, Boggs became enamored with dirt track racing after visiting Southern Ohio Raceway in 1978. He purchased a Hobby Stock and began his career, moving up to Late Models in 1979.
His first full season in 1979 found Boggs competing at Southern Ohio Raceway and Checkered Flag Speedway near Ashland,KY. A pivotal turning point in Boggs’ career came at the end of 1980 when coal magnate Garland Flaugher offered to sponsor him. Around this same time Boggs met noted car builder CJ Rayburn and Boggs’ career went national, competing across the country with the NDRA and the All Star Circuit of Champions.
During SPEEDWEEKS in 1981, Boggs won his first time out with Flaugher as a sponsor and Rayburn as his car builder.
Boggs went on to accumulate over 400 wins. Among Boggs’ most impressive wins were three DIRT TRACK WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (’84,’90,’95), three HILLBILLY 100’s (’85,’86,’87) and the WORLD 100 (’95). Other prestigious events won by Boggs, many several times over, included the EAST BAY NATIONALS, CEDAR LAKE OUTLAW NATIONALS, HUB CITY NATIONALS, JACKSON 100, NORTH-SOUTH 100 and dozens of others.
In 1982 Boggs won the famed NDRA sanctioned “Superbowl of Dirt” race held indoors at the Pontiac (MI) Silverdome in front of 30,000 fans.
The low point in Boggs’ illustrious career came in May 1982 at Paducah, KY, when Boggs was involved in a head-on collision due to adverse track conditions. In the ensuing melee Boggs suffered a broken tailbone, broken nose and broken cheekbone. Popular racer Jim Dunn lost his life in that same accident.
Boggs also earned two STARS championships titles (’85,’88) and an All Star Circuit of Champions title (’84). Boggs also won many, many races sanctioned by NDRA, STARS, Hav-A-Tampa/UDTRA, UMP, USAC, World of Outlaws, ASCoC, PROS, NASCAR Busch All Stars and Southern All Stars.
Boggs enjoyed immense success with STARS over the years. Besides his two championship titles, Boggs was third on STARS’ all time win list with 27 victories. Among Boggs’ other STARS achievements were five major wins at Pennsboro Speedway (the most by any driver in STARS sanctioned competition at the legendary half mile track), four wins at Florence (KY) Speedway and three wins each at Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway and West Virginia Motor Speedway.
Boggs’ first STARS win came June 23, 1984 at Log Cabin (VA) Raceway. His last STARS win came May 10, 1997 when he drove his familiar #B4 to victory in the BLUE GRASS NATIONALS at Florence Speedway.
In recent years Boggs was also a regular competitor with the UDTRA series, scoring four career UDTRA wins. Boggs’ first UDTRA win cam eon February 16, 1991, at Putnam County (FL) Speedway. Boggs also won UDTRA events at Atomic (TN) Speedway, Jax (FL) raceway and St. Augustine (FL) Speedway, the site of his last UDTRA win, which occurred February 5, 1995.
In addition, Boggs also won three NDRA events and 15 All Star Circuit of Champions victories.
By 1999 Boggs had sold his racing operation and became a driver-for-hire. During the 2000 SPEEDWEEKS events at East Bay Raceway, Boggs drove the #1cj CJ Rayburn house car in the STARS and UDTRA sanctioned events. His best finish was a fifth in STARS action.
Boggs’ brother, Randy Boggs, is a well known racer who is also a former WORLD 100 winner. Boggs’ eldest son, Jackie, is a well known Late Model racer with several championships to his credit. Boggs’ second son, Tommy, has also done some dirt Late Model racing.
But as for Black Jack, he will be remembered for many things, but first and foremost he will be remembered for his incredible driving talent. He would never quit on the track.
“I guess you could say what I remember the most is that Jack was a fierce competitor on the track,” commented Bret Emrick. Emrick is the series announcer and public relations director for the Stacker 2 Xtreme Dirt Car Series. Previously Emrick served as Race Director for the STARS/Renegade Dirt Car Racing Series for a decade . “I really never knew him until I started working with STARS but I always admired his talents behind the wheel when I announced at Pennsboro and when he raced at the old Buckeye (Wayne County) Speedway, where I also announced, when STARS came to town. I always thought he was a patient driver, especially in the 100 lappers. He just seemed to always hang around in striking distance for the majority of the race and then would march his way to the front late in the race. I always thought to myself that was very smart racing. You don’t win the race on the first lap. And, as the old saying goes, ‘To finish first you must first finish’. I always thought Jack adhered to that in his racing.”
“My fondest memories of Jack were in the late 70’s and early 80’s when he would come to Atomic for the Hall of Fame 100,” Scott French related recently. French formerly worked for the UDTRA/Xtreme Dirt Car Series as race director and now works for NASCAR. “He always ran well there. You knew when the B4 rolled in to the pit area, that there was a big race in town. I remember asking him for an autograph after one of the races. He obliged, and also let me sit in the car. At 11 years old that was a big thrill to me, and I’ll always remember that.”
“Jack seemed to have a knack for taking a car that probably wasn’t the fastest car in the field and was still able to win with it purely on driving skill, and he always elevated his game when the money was on the line for the big races. When you were racing for big money you knew Jack was going to be somebody to contend with.”
That was an apt description of Black Jack Boggs. If he lived a previous life, one could bet it was as a riverboat gambler or a gunfighter in the old west. Like him or not, Jack Boggs had personality. And it was a personality that set him apart and made him unique. His personality created excitement and through it he forged, unknowingly one would assume, a marketable persona that drew race fans and admirers.
He was also not afraid to speak his mind and voice his opinion or displeasure. He wasn’t a loose cannon by any means, but Boggs had a bit of a temper and it was easily provoked if he thought he had been done wrong.
“I guess when you look back on it now it was kind of funny when Jack didn’t appreciate a call I made as race director for STARS at Pennsboro during the 1997 DIRT TRACK WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, at least I think it was in 1997,” related Emrick. “Anyway, the rule states that if you are involved in a caution and come to a stop on the track you must go to the tail of the field for the restart. Well, it was late in one of the heat races with only three to transfer and Jack was racing second to Jack Pennington when they came up on lapped traffic in turn two. Everyone that has ever been to Pennsboro knows that track is one of the hardest places to get around even if there is no lapped traffic to contend with. Pennington got into the lapped car which got the lapped car messed up and Jack had no place to go, made contact with the lapped car and spun to a stop.”
“Well, Jack didn’t want to go to the tail. Jack stopped on the front chute pleading his case with the officials working the track and they kept telling him he had to go to the tail. I could see his side of the story from a driver’s perspective but the rules are the rules and you have to go by the rules. Jack refused to go to the tail and the track officials told him either go to the tail or go to the pits. He wouldn’t budge so I called for a push truck or tow truck to get him into the pits. When the push truck got behind him he floored it and headed pitside.”
“I was perched on top of our pit trailer on the front chute. That gave me a good view all the around the racetrack. When Jack headed to the pits I sort of thought to myself, ‘Guess Jack is going to want to have a discussion with me now’. Jack climbed up on top of the trailer and voiced his displeasure quite well. He was really upset but I explained to him as calmly as I could what the rule is and that we had to abide by it. Now this is going on for who knows how many minutes on top of the trailer in front of thousands of people. I mean Jack was fired up!”
“I continued to explain to him in a calm manner what the rule was and why the rule was enforced. Jack poked me in the chest a few times with his index finger while he argued his point but I just told myself that if I lose my cool it’s only going to make the situation worse. It must have been close to 10 minutes that Jack expressed his views and I told him there was nothing that could be done. It was the same thing over and over and over. Finally, Jack just turned around and headed off of our trailer and went back to his pit.”
“The next morning Jack came by the trailer and offered his apologies to me. He said he knew what the rule was and that he didn’t agree with it but realized if that was the rule then we had to go by the rules. He said he was sorry for making the organization, myself and himself look bad by his actions. I told him apology accepted and not to let it bother him. I mean, in my job I know the drivers are going to get upset at times and they will voice their displeasure. But I’ve always felt that what they say is in the heat of the moment and is not meant personally.”
“Jack and I always got along after that little incident. He would always say ‘Hello’ and ask how I was doing. And of course I would return the pleasantries. It’s the right way to do things. Like I said earlier, at the time it probably wasn’t real funny to either of us but now when I look back on it, especially since Jack isn’t with us anymore, I always chuckle to myself a little bit when I think back on it.”
Black Jack Boggs graced the sport, and the history books, with achievements, wins and championships that will be hard to duplicate. He also graced the sport with an engaging personality that helped put a face on the sport. His image wasn’t false. It wasn’t a marketing plan or gimmick. Jack Boggs was the real deal and what you saw is what you got. And he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Jack Boggs was posthumously inducted into the very first class of the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame in August of 2001.
The sport of dirt Late Model racing was lucky to have Black Jack Boggs as a participant, a winner and a champion. He made the sport exciting, thrilling and gave it a kick in the pants when deserving. But above it all, was his hunger.
His hunger to win.
He is, and for evermore, will be missed!
The sport was lucky to have him.
©2004-2008 Doc Lehman/Dirt America