Filed under: Dean Alexander: 41 Years Of Winning! | Tags: Ashland Fairgrounds Raceway, Blaine Aber, Bob Wearing, Bobby Allison, Butch Hartman, Charlie Swartz, Chet Alexander, Coshocton Speedway, Danny Dean, Dean Alexander, Eph Davis, Jim Dunn, Jim Gentry, Keith Berner, Ken Jake Jacobs, Lakeville Speedway, Late Models, Mansfield Speedway, Modifieds, Olivesburg Speedway, Pennsboro Speedway, Ralph Quarterson, Rick Ferkel, Sprint Cars, Tim Richmond, Tiny Lund, Tom Jarrett, Wayne County Speedway
From 2003: There are dirt Late Model racers out there who, at age 41, wonder how many years they have left in their racing careers. That hasn’t been too much of a worry for 60-year-old grandfather Dean Alexander.
He’s raced for 42 years before calling it a day although he is still involved as a parts & chassis distributor and owner of Alexander’s Racing Bodies. And you never know when Alexander could slip the helmet on and strap in.
This story was written in 2003 during Alexander’s last active year as a racer.
It all started when a then 18-year-old Alexander climbed into an open-wheel ‘Modified’, a forerunner of today’s Sprint Cars, at Holmes Hilltop Speedway near Millersburg, OH. He had spent his younger years chasing racing with his father at the now long-closed Ashland Fairgrounds Raceway and Olivesburg Speedway.
“Back in ’62 we had one division and there were always 50-70 cars,” recalled Alexander, who resides near Orrville, OH with his wife of 42 years, Barb. “I was thrilled when I made the feature, but I sure was scared!”
Alexander continued racing at Hilltop, as well as Lakeview (now Lakeville), Mansfield and other venues. When Wayne County Speedway opened on June 26, 1965, Alexander was there. And he’s been there ever since.
Alexander raced open wheelers through most of the 1960’s. During the latter stages of the decade he began to race Late Models, as their popularity began to soar. Beginning in 1967, when Wayne County went two two nights a week, one night with open wheelers and the next with Late Models, Alexander raced in both classes each weekend. At the end of the decade when the track went back to one night per week operation, many times Alexander could be found competing in both divisions on the same night. And winning.
During this time Alexander began racking up the wins in both divisions. One night he set fast time, won the dash, heat, pursuit and feature. Before 1970 hit Alexander had established himself as one of central Ohio’s toughest dirt track competitors in any type of racecar.
During that era Alexander drove for owners like Newt Fergeson, Harry Kane, Clyde Shoup and occasionally Pete Jacobs, founder of Wayne County Speedway and father of famed Ohio 60’s racer Ken ‘Jake’ Jacobs and grandfather of currently well-known Sprint Car stars Kenny, Bud and Dean Jacobs. “Whenever Pete would get mad at Jake (Ken), he would put me in the car,” related Alexander with a knowing smile.
Soon after the start of the 1970’s Alexander began to race Late Models full time, although he competed in numerous Sprint Car events around Ohio, including many sanctioned events, until around 1975. The wins continued.
Over the years Alexander has raced with, and won against, the likes of David Pearson, Tiny Lund, Tim Richmond, Bobby Allison and Ralph Quarterson on the dirt in both Sprints and Late Models. He has raced in five different decades (and in two different centuries and two different millenniums!). And over the years he has also competed and won against dirt stars like Butch Hartman, Bob Wearing, Sr., Danny Dean, Bob Cannon, Charlie Swartz, John Mason, Brad Malcuit, Jim Dunn, Delmas Conley, Jim Gentry, Tom Jarrett, Glenn Gault, Blaine Aber and scores of others. During much of the 70’s and 80’s Alexander got around quite a bit visiting several of the states surrounding Ohio and was a regular fixture at Pennsboro during most of the 80’s.
During his career Alexander has accumulated nearly 200 wins and an incredible 16 point titles, mid-season and season championships honors. You want career consistency? Alexander has been in the top five in points 30 times at Mansfield, Lakeville, Wayne County and Coshocton.
So do any special wins really stand out when Alexander looks back on his long career?
“Every win is special,” he says. “One night over 30 years ago Joe Carney and I tied for the win in the feature and we both carried the checkered flag. But my greatest night is when my son Chet won his first feature nine years ago. I had to choke back tears.
Dean & Barb have two grown sons, Chet and Denny. Chet has had an extremely successful dirt Late Model career for nearly a decade now driving the entire time for long-time family friend, Mark Nussbaum. Chet’s oldest son, Chase, 16, serves as Grandpa’s crew chief, and is likely a third-generation racer sometime soon.
Dean Alexander and his famous #16 has raced at a wide variety of tracks over the years, including Eldora, Volusia, Pennsboro, Attica, Elkins, PPMS, Mt. Vernon, St. Clairsville, Atomic (KC), Coshocton and dozens more. He has competed in events sanctioned by NDRA, STARS, All Stars, UMP, PROS, USAC, Sunoco ALMS and MACS. He has seen the evolution of Late Models from the home-built, junkyard supplied racers through the wedge era to today’s version of dirt Late Models. And he has won in every incarnation.
And he is not without his opinions.
“I think the local tracks have to put an engine limit in their rules, like a 358,” stated Alexander. “A tire rule is good if you would limit the compounds to two choices. “What I dislike the most about racing is that the promoters will not get together and set rules to cut costs.”
In Ohio Dean Alexander means winning and history. He has legions of fans, always has, and one of his biggest fans is longtime historian, former Wayne County and Lakeville announcer, and current Race Director for the Renegade Dirt Car Series, Bret Emrick, who, like this reporter, grew up watching Alexander in action.
“Dean Alexander, man, around here in north central Ohio that name has been heard for years,” offers Emrick, with his trademark smile. “My first recollection of watching Dean race was at Lakeville Speedway when I was a kid. Dean, Jim Gentry, Lloyd Wirt, Danny Dean…. those guys were tough! I must admit I was a Gentry fan as a kid so I was always disappointed when the #16 (Alexander) finished ahead of the #14 (Gentry) (laughs)!”
“Back in the 60’s at Lakeville the crowd was either Dean Alexander fans or Jim Gentry fans. Sure, there were Danny Dean and Lloyd Wirt fans but Dean and Jim were the two favorites. And, those two had some classic battles!”
“I really never knew Dean until I started to do the announcing at Lakeville and then later on at Buckeye Speedway, now Wayne County Speedway. And, you know what. After meeting Dean and getting to know him the mental image I had of Dean as a kid was quickly erased. Being a Gentry fan as a kid I always thought Dean was the one with the ‘black hat’. You know, the bad guy. But, I can honestly say Dean is a great human being!”
“Sure, he wasn’t afraid to mix it up every now and then on the track. But, you had to give him his due. The man was one of the best racers this area has ever produced. And, he would do anything he could to help out his fellow racers and the younger kids who were just starting. And, even though he doesn’t race much any more he still does the same thing. I don’t know how many stories I’ve heard from the area racers of how Dean Alexander really helped them when they needed it. Parts, advice or just plain encouragement. He has helped so many of today’s racers from this area.”
Emrick is one of hundreds who can testify to seeing, hearing and experiencing what perhaps could be Alexander’s greatest skill: joke teller. Perhaps it comes with the turf of being a tavern owner but Alexander could have easily fit in with the Rat Pack in Vegas around the time he started racing. His encyclopedic memory of jokes is truly amazing. And legion. He could have been a success in Hollywood.
“Dean sometimes will stop by the office to chat and you know that the conversation is going to start with a joke,” chuckles Emrick. “Dean just absolutely loves to tell jokes. Since this is a family publication I can’t repeat most of them (laughs)! And, I’ve seen some of the practical jokes he’s pulled on people. Wow!”
“I really have the utmost respect for Dean Alexander. Great racer, great family man and just a plain, salt of the earth good person. I guess if you wanted to come up with a phrase to describe Dean Alexander the best would be: just a regular guy who was one hell of a racer!”
Alexander spent years confounding the “big boys”, like Moran, Boggs and Swartz, and the regulars at his current stomping grounds, Wayne County and Lakeville. And he has considerable respect for several racers. “Bob Wearing, Sr., is almost a hero of mine,” revealed Alexander. “He’s a friend, a nice guy and a winner. He’s got over 500 wins, after all.”
“Keith Berner is the smartest racer in the area, and a good friend.”
When asked who has been the toughest competition year in and year out over the course of his long career, Alexander never hesitating in responding with, “Eph Davis years ago and then Jim Gentry. Gentry is a real hard charger.”
Drivers from all across the region rely on Alexander’s advice. Besides being a tavern owner he is a Rocket Chassis distributor and proprietor of Alexander’s Budget Bodies, who adorn dirt Late Models all over central Ohio.
“You’re always learning,” reflected the friendly, and popular, driver. “I still learn from different people. I listen, but you have to think for yourself. Wearing, Bob Cannon and Bob Dickerson are a couple who I learned from.”
Despite having a 37-year streak of a minimum of two wins per season broken a couple seasons back, the wins still come for Alexander who has admittedly slowed down some off the track. These days it’s just like it was 40 years ago, all for the fun of it. Some nights he and Chase might haul down to Lakeville, or maybe wait and go to Wayne County on Saturday night. If perchance, at the anointed time to head out for the track arrives, and Alexander suddenly gets a hankering to eat a big steak with Barb at a nice air-conditioned restaurant instead, the racecar sits. But when Alexander gets his #1a Rocket Chassis on the track and the green waves, it’s thermo-nuclear throttle-stomping in one of the smoothest styles being practiced today.
He may be self-admittedly “old”, but the old guy is still hungry once the helmet comes on.
Alexander is pensive about retirement.
“As for how long, who knows?” states Alexander. “I really like spending time with my grandchildren and racing isn’t the priority it once was.”
For years a reporter would ask Alexander each season how long he would race, and usually the cagey Alexander would always imply that it was it his last year as a racer, year after year, and always with his trademark wink. The reporter finally came to the blunt and brutal conclusion that Alexander would quit racing entirely when they pulled his cold, dead fingers off the steering wheel. He isn’t really kidding anyone. Even if he doesn’t race week in and week out, people all across central Ohio could never get used to not seeing Dean Alexander at some track at some point in the season. It just wouldn’t feel “right”. Besides, Alexander has tons of fans at area tracks and sells tickets.
Alexander is pretty casual, modest and nonchalant about his long and impressive career that has seen dirt Late Model racing evolve from one extreme to another. But stop and think. He has battled the likes of Allison, Richmond, Lund, Pearson, Quarterson, Jan Opperman, Rick Ferkel, Kenny Weld, Lynn Paxton, Butch Hartman, Bob Cowen, Jim Dunn, Jim Gentry, Jeff Purvis, Larry Moore, Bob Wearing, Sr., Jack Boggs and Donnie Moran, among the hundreds of other local and regional racers over the years. And how many have raced against Charlie Swartz in both a Sprint Car and a Late Model?
There have been racers who have won more than Alexander but not many will be able to match him in cherished memories.
©2003-2008 Doc Lehman/Dirt America
Filed under: Dirt Late Models: America’s Race Car | Tags: Chris Economaki, Crate Late Models, Late Models, Limited Late Models, Steel Block Late Models, Super Late Models
OK, OK, most of us reading this magazine are prejudiced.
There, it’s been stated and it’s ‘out there’.
We love dirt Late Model racing and while that particular form of dirt racing has always thrilled and enthralled this reporter, much like Sprint Car and Modified racing has for over 40 years now, it’s always bothered some that dirt Late Model racing was seen for many years as the sport’s bastard child, the reviled and disrespected red-headed stepchild looked down and spat upon.
But that has changed considerably, especially during the past decade and it’s readily apparent that dirt Late Model racing, from a competitor, promoter and manufacturing point of view, is on top as a form of dirt racing.
A year or two ago the ‘Dean of Motorsports Journalism’, Chris Economaki, wrote that the dirt Late Model was becoming like the Midget was many decades ago, ‘America’s Race Car’. Economaki stated that dirt Late Model racing could someday have that designation.
Many say it does now.
All over the country dirt Late Models are nearly identical, save for perhaps what’s under the hood and maybe a difference in tires and wheels. Call them Super Late Models, Late Models, Steel Block Late Models, Limited Late Models, Crate Late Models, they’re still dirt Late Models and there’s a ton of them now from coast to coast.
In basic terms, dirt Late Models are finally, now, in one’s opinion, ‘America’s Race Car’. You can load up and haul to almost anywhere and be in the ballpark if not dead on in terms of (body) rules and other technical designations.
Not only that but there are thousands of them around the country and where things are done right, they sell a ton of tickets week in and week out, to say nothing of the boom it is to manufacturers and distributors.
So we now profess that dirt Late Models are indeed ‘America’s Race Car’ based not only on the influz and numbers of them but due to the fact they are a fan favorite. Dirt Late Models sell tickets and even hardened Sprint Car and Modified fans are taking a second look at the sport, let alone some of their drivers.
If this form of motorsports didn’t sell tickets, there wouldn’t be so many of them.
But maybe we don’t have a clue, maybe dirt Late Model racing isn’t the be-all and end-all of dirt racing right now. Is dirt Late Model racing the #1 form of dirt track racing in the country in terms of fan acceptance, media coverage and profitability to promoters and why or why not?
Dirt Late Model thought it would be a good idea to get some other perspectives and we started with some professionals who work in the sport. “That’s a good question, after thinking about it I think it may be at the top or at least tied for the top of dirt track racing,” stated Bret Emrick. Emrick, a long time industry insider, currently serves as the Race Director for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series. “I use the word ‘may’ because I think it depends on what region of the country your in. I still think the outlaw Sprint Car is still a huge draw for fans. It’s just there isn’t as many 410c.i. Sprint Cars as there used to be. The early season reports I’ve heard and seen the crowds have been good to great for both dirt Late Model and Sprint Car shows.”
“By all means dirt Late Model racing as a whole has grown tremendously over the years. It’s always been strong in the east, south and midwest and now we are starting to see some growth west of the Rocky Mountains. That’s good for the sport as a whole.”
Emrick also acknowledges the diversity present in the cars. “But we have to be honest and know that in some regions of the country the dirt Late Model, especially the ‘outlaw’ style Late Model is being replaced with spec/crate divisions and steel block dirt Late Models,” explained Emrick. “In those regions the sport may have weakened the past five or so years but now is building itself back up with divisions that work for those regions of the country. Yeah, it may not be ‘outlaw’ style dirt Late Models but they are a dirt Late Model and part of the whole.”
“The ‘outlaw’ style dirt Late Model will always be there. And, there’s room for the other divisions of dirt Late Models too. It’s a great feeder system for the ‘outlaw’ style dirt Late Model teams. No matter if it’s an ‘outlaw’ or spec/crate or steel block dirt Late Model it’s still a dirt Late Model and part of the overall picture, the whole.”
Another factor that offers a form of proof that dirt Late Model racing is the turnstiles. “I think the same can be said for profitability for the promoters,” said Emrick. “There are so many variables that go into a gain or loss with a promotion. I’m sure if you talked to promoters from around the country they would all tell you the same thing. Some shows work, some don’t. Just like any outdoor entertainment based business. Factor in economy, expendable income, weather, etc….. any promotion is a gamble.”
“Dirt Late Model Racing has to be the #1 form of dirt racing based on the fact there are more dirt Late Model races, touring series, and dirt Late Model racers than any other division of racing on dirt,” was the perspective offered by Wayne Castleberry. Castelberry is the man behind the successful marketing firm, WD Enterprises. “There’s more media coverage for dirt Late Models as well with numerous racing publications that cover just dirt Late Model racing exclusively nationwide.”
“With the tremendous growth of the coverage of dirt Late Models on the Internet dirt Late Model fans are clearly the most loyal and want as much information about their favorite driver or special event somewhere in the country everyday. The Internet has created the need to know who won every event immediately after the checkered flag falls.
O’Reilly’s Battle of the Bluegrass Series announcer Jarrett sees strides being made in expanding media coverage, especially into mainstream America. “As a whole, Dirt Late Model is strong right now. Look at the WinterNationals at East Bay. The internet broadcasts drew a record number of listeners, over 244,000 on one night! That should tell you something. Thanks to internet radio shows, online forums, and quality PR, fans are more ‘in tune’ with the sport now than they have ever been.”
Jim Wilson, the founder and main man of the PolyDome World Dirt Racing League (WDRL) Series has been around the Motorsports profession as a tried and true success and has his own take on the situation. “I feel like Late Model Racing is alive and well right now,” offered Wilson. “I think partly because there are so many different sanctioning bodies for LM dirt races there have been a lot of cars built and a lot of press to cover all of these sanctioned races.”
“I do think there is a lot of great media coverage for dirt Late Model races at this time. This in turn has created a lot more fan interest in dirt Late Model racing.”
Maybe or maybe not so surprising is the fact that drivers have similar opinions. “It seems to be the #1 form of dirt track racing,” opined Pennsylvania driver Eric Zembower. Zembower is also an avid dirt racing historian. “The Sprint Car people may disagree. I follow both Late Model and Sprint Car racing and from my stand point, dirt Late Models are more popular through out the country.”
“40 years ago, on a weekly basis, Sprint Car racing was more popular. In the early to mid 70’s many tracks, like Bedford, Jennerstown, Hesston, Clearfield, Hagerstown, Winchester to name a few, dropped the open wheel class sprinters and featured the stock car/Late Model class as the headliner because of economics. In my opinion, this transition is why today the Late Model dirt class in #1 in the United States.”
Another driver feels dirt late model racing is if not on top of the heap at least almost there. “I believe it is on its way to becoming the top form of dirt racing if it’s not already there,” commented Ohio’s Doug Drown. “You use to see the World of Outlaws Sprints as being the premier series for the longest time but now you see a lot more Late Model races in the media than before.”
“And with that it’s fan popularity has grown in numbers even with the economy leveled off or going down hill. I think it’s great for the sport and you can definitely tell the sport is doing great with the number of Late Model series and big races that are held every month. As a driver it is also tough now more than ever due to how many great cars there are at each race.”
Missouri dirt Late Model driver Chris Smyser has his opinions on the sudden growth of the sport. “If you look at the landscape today, Late Model racing has two national level series that each have large car counts, full schedules and get big crowds for nearly all of their shows,” explained Smyser. “There are enough talented racers with the funding to be able to compete on each series so that each series has adequate following, and there are enough well known drivers on each series that they both have good ‘star’ power to help draw in fans to the races.”
“Late Model racing also has several regional touring series that have their own well known drivers and good car counts and fan following, as well as a multitude of tracks that run weekly programs. This sport has one of the largest car counts of any dirt division and certainly the highest of the ‘premier’ divisions.”
And then there is the profitability for promoters, something that, by scanning the crowds, conveys that dirt Late Models sell tickets. “Dirt Late Model racing certainly is potentially the most profitable,” assessed Pennsylvania driver & builder Jim Bernheisel. “Great racing, huge car counts, relatively low purses and sanction fees. All add up for a great event. Some work needs done to harvest that potential. Good promotion, shows that start on time and track conditions that lend themselves to good racing need to be part of the mix.”
O’Reilly’s Auto Parts Southern Allstars Series official Kelly Carlton also agrees that promoters are benefiting financially by hosting dirt Late Model racing. “Fans are flocking in to see these guys put on a show too,” said Carlton. “There are fans I meet all the time who have never been to a dirt race and they rave about how much they enjoyed our show. Most were NASCAR fans who happened to be close to one of our races because of Cup races. They see we are close by and they need something to fill their evening and the next thing they know they are hooked.”
“I have seen first hand that promoters are having their best profit margins when they have special events which include dirt late models. In fact some facilities are ‘special event’ venues only. They will hold anywhere from 6 to 15 different events and not have a weekly show. For the most part they are all dirt Late Model events with different touring series coming in. I have had promoters tell me that having our name attached to an event is usually good for at least an 800 to 1000 increase in attendance.”
“Overall though I think the dirt Late Model division, as a whole, is as strong as it’s ever been,” added Emrick. “I do know that dirt track racing as a whole ranks only behind NASCAR in overall motorsports fan popularity. That’s huge.”
“It’s taken a lot of work and time to gain that popularity. Now all of us in this business need to keep looking ahead and grow that fan base even more. Rome wasn’t built in day. It will take time but it can be done.”
Bernheisel then bottom-lined the situation: “Overall it’s a great time to be involved in dirt Late Model racing.”
(c)2004-2008 Doc Lehman
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