Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

Legendary racer and member of the HOF, Bill Utz was seriously injured today. He has been helping his grandson Tyler race and the cable on the haulers rear door had broken. Today a person came to repair it and when it was unlatched, it fell on Bill and broke several bones in both legs and shattered his hip.

Member of this message board since 1997

Wow.. this is the year of weird accidents in the sprint car racing community ... My uncle Bub was a fan of his when he ran Knoxville weekly.

My uncle isn't computer savvy ... will pass it on ..maybe Hawker can get a address for get well cards, home or hospital.

R.A.

S.H.S.

all wishes go to bill and his family

           RickyBobby28

I guess this should be a lesson to us all to stay clear of the door just in case something breaks. I had this same thing happen to me, I was letting the door down on my husbands sprint car trailer at Creek County Speedway on July 17th The spring just broke it came down with so much force there isnt anything you can do I managed to move enough that it only got one of my legs but boy it do a number on it. Spent a week in the hospital had emergency surgery on my thigh. I have complete empathy for this person get well soon!!! Dena Risley sprint #24 Creek County Speedway Sapulpa Oklahoma

Wasn't he referred to as "The Flying Blacksmith" early in his career? Bill won A LOT of races in Central Missouri through the 70's driving the Hathman Masonry 56 (Ol' Yellar.) One of my all time favorite car/cars (not sure if it was 2 cars or just 1 that they changed the tail back and forth from sprint car to supermodified) was the blue 98 with all that chrome.

Bill and his wife Joy also had a restaurant/truckstop near the south end of Sedalia, on US 65, and the walls inside the restaurant were painted with likenesses of his racecars. Very neat place.

Hoping for a speedy recovery.

Growing up in Missouri Bill Utz was one of my first racing heroes. He always was a contender even toward the end of his driving career. His yellow #56 cars were the ones i drew the most as a kid. When he built 65 speedway, the mini sprint track in Sedalia, I always wished that i could race there and show him that I could drive like him.

I have had the pleasure of chatting with him a few times since Tyler started racing sprint cars and Bill is a really nice guys who seemed to work his butt off to help his grandson.

Just a super guy who has always known the definition of WORK.

Get well soon Bill. I know you are tougher than an old boot so I fully expect a quick recovery.

Seems like I heard that something similar happened to Jack Dover or his dad early in jacks career.

What a shitty year for the midwest racing community. I keep thinking this crap has to be over then here comes another one.

Loose is when you hit the wall with the rear of the
car, tight is when you hit the wall with the front of
the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and
torque is how far you move the wall.

This is Renee, Bill's oldest daughter and Tyler's mom. I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your thoughts and your prayers through this difficult time.... this took us all by surprise but by the grace of God he is going to be OK! He is now out of surgery and the surgeons say he is an extremely lucky.....He was excellent shape and has very strong bones and the surgery went well. he has two broken bones on the left leg and some broken toes as well as the right hip and leg, it will be a long road but wow.... he is a strong guy and will back on his feet soon! A trailer door is no match for my hero!! He is in University Hospital in Columbia Missouri. the family appreciate all the calls, visits, thoughts and prayers racing is his life and the racing community is his family you all hold a very dear place in our hearts!..... for those who ask his address is 22857 hwy F sedalia, mo 65301 God Bless!!! Renee' utz-pripusich

Prayers are the least we can do for someone who gave us years of great racing. God be with Bill and his entire family.

Renee,

Thank you so very much for the update. This is the best news I've heard in a while.

Your Dad is a true racing legend and long time racing fans like myself owe him a big round of thanks for all the action he provided us over the years.

Here a few years ago I happened to sit by a gentleman one night at Knoxville who was from Sedalia. (Your Dad and Sedalia, MO. will always be synonymous in my mind!) The first thing I asked him was if he happened to know anything about your Dad. He filled me in and told me that he was doing great and was strong as an ox. I'm sure that's to his advantage now.

It's nothing short of a miracle that any sprint car driver from your Dad's era lived long enough to retire. Guys like your Dad and Jerry Blundy will always be my heros!

I will continue to pray for his complete and speedy recovery. God bless and protect all of you!

Bill has many more folks pulling for him and praying for him than he could ever imagine. Not only did he give us all some great racing to enjoy but when he retired he continued to offer others the opportunity to race with his track for the mini sprints. I'm from Texas and never made it up there to see that track but I really appreciated his providing more racing in that area and helping others race.

I wanted to give a quick update that Bill continues to get stronger everyday he is still in the University Hospital but hopefully will be able to move to Rusk soon. He is very thankful for the prayers,cards, and visits. A special thank you to goes out to Lewis White who came to visit him after orchestrating the signing of checkered flag at anASCS race at Tri City! It meant a lot to Bill to see so many drivers took time to sign a flag and send their well wishes to him in the middle of a busy night for them!!! The Flag hangs in his room and provides a focus and strength for him! Thanks Lewis for doing this and thanks racing family for remembering to keep dad in your prayers... Renee' ( Bill's daughter)

Glad to hear Bill is going to be alright....I remember him being one of my first sprint car drivers that I could actually point out on and off the track. Jesse (Hockett) and I used to watch him race quite a bit as we were growing up....

"Grip it and Rip it, just don't Flip it!"
R.I.P. Lester

Tbird