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Topic: What Sprint Car Driver Would You Most Like to Have Seen?
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Page 1 of 3 of 45 replies
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February 23, 2012 at
12:58:21 PM
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This message was edited on
February 23, 2012 at
05:21:31 PM by J. Blundy #33 Fan Forever
Out of all the great sprint car drivers who have come and gone over the years, what inactive driver (due to present day retirement or because they're no longer with us) do you most regret never having had the opportunity to see behind the wheel?
Inactive drivers only please. If they're still active you still have the chance to see them.
The ones I regret never having had the opportunity to see (and I'm showing my age here – again!) are Emory Collins, Tommy Hinnershitz, and Dick Atkins.
How about you?
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February 23, 2012 at
01:46:53 PM
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Mitch Smith. Mainly just because he married into my Grandmother's family, so it'd have been interesting to have seen what he was about.
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February 23, 2012 at
03:09:40 PM
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Jan Opperman and Mitch Smith
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February 23, 2012 at
03:31:43 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: J. Blundy #33 Fan Forever on February 23 2012 at 12:58:21 PM
Out of all the great sprint car drivers who have come and gone over the years, what inactive driver (due to present day retirement or because they're no longer with us) do you most regret never having had the opportunity to see behind the wheel?
Inactive drivers only please. If they're still active you still have the chance to see them.
The ones I regret never having had the opportunity to see (and I'm showing my age here – again!) are Emory Collins, Tommy Hinnershitz, and Dick Atkins.
How about you?
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The reason central PA is the toughest place to race on the planet today...Ray Tilley.
Luna's Ford engine style that won 2 WoO titles and 3
Kings Royals before a weight rule against the best EVER
in their prime and now DOMINATES super dirt late model
racing is no longer allowed/wanted in a WoO sprint
car.... Was Luna a miracle worker?
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February 23, 2012 at
03:38:04 PM
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Would have liked to see Jimmy Gordon's future. He was killed racing at the Old California State Fairgrounds in 1970. I was only 8 years old then, and still remember hearing my favorite driver had died.
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February 23, 2012 at
03:44:21 PM
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Definitely Tommy Hinnershitz. I was able to meet him a couple times at different racing functions before his death, but still would have loved to have seen him race.
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February 23, 2012 at
04:29:08 PM
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I really wish I coulda seen Doug Wolfgang.
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February 23, 2012 at
04:33:14 PM
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This message was edited on
February 23, 2012 at
04:37:21 PM by SLINK51
Reply to:
Posted By: bosmaracing23 on February 23 2012 at 04:29:08 PM
I really wish I coulda seen Doug Wolfgang.
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He was one hell of a wheelman. He was a lot of fun to watch in the Weikert 29.



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February 23, 2012 at
04:45:01 PM
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I got to see this guy run but was killed at Husets Speedway in 1987 Fathers Day, Bill Rook #00. I would have loved to see where he ended up with the way he drove all the time.
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February 23, 2012 at
04:49:19 PM
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Dick“Toby”Tobias-Jud Larson,Don Branson, Foyt, Mario,Lone Star JR,Ken Rubright. Not complaining though. Still got to see Opp and Amati so I'm happy
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February 23, 2012 at
05:22:07 PM
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For sure Brad Doty.... And Much more of Wolfgang... I was devastated when I heard how bad he had been injured..
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February 23, 2012 at
05:23:35 PM
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Was able to see Wolfgang race Knoxville during the 1997 season when he drove the Motter car
but I would of loved to watch him and Doty back in their prime.
-Austin Rankin
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February 23, 2012 at
05:54:13 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: SLINK51 on February 23 2012 at 04:33:14 PM
He was one hell of a wheelman. He was a lot of fun to watch in the Weikert 29.



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When I first started going to races as a young child, eugh. Every time out it was either Wolfgang or Kauffman. Wolfgang or Kauffman.
And I was a Randy Wolfe fan.
(And here we are in 2012, and my current favorite is now driving for Keen. Funny how that works.)
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February 23, 2012 at
06:05:47 PM
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I followed Opperman in Speed Sport News, in the magazines and on television but I never saw him race in person. I guess you could say that I did see him race a Sprint one time on Wide World of Sports, don't recall if that USAC race was live though. Watched him in the Indy 500 as well but never actually saw him on the track at a live race although I guess he did run down at Jackson or Fairmont they tell me.
Stan Meissner
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February 23, 2012 at
06:28:29 PM
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Steve smith the black bandit
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February 23, 2012 at
06:36:41 PM
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Kauffman and Weikert were archrivals - if you want to call it that - in 1984 and 1985. Wolfgang 55 wins and Kauffman 34 wins in 1985!! 89 wins between the two, not much left for the rest of Central PA! They raced against each other a lot in the proceeding couple of years, but that was after Kauffman and Hamilton split in early '86 so the rivalry wasn't quite as good, but still good nonetheless!
The driver I wish I'd seen more than anybody was Opperman!! From what I read in magazines and books, he could have won with a car made of cardboard! Would have liked just as much to meet the MAN!!
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February 23, 2012 at
07:04:46 PM
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Now I feel old. Or should I say blessed that I got to see the whole Steve Sammy Wolfgang era.if what ^ I see up there is true you kids never got to see Ferkel,Lee James Bobby Marshall?
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February 23, 2012 at
07:09:45 PM
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hinnershitz,opperman,foyt
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February 23, 2012 at
07:19:51 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: minthess on February 23 2012 at 03:31:43 PM
The reason central PA is the toughest place to race on the planet today...Ray Tilley.
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Good choice my father loved racing him in the late 60's early 70's williams &selingsgrove I have been going to the races since the 60's , Dad loved racing ray, kenny, mitch, jan, smokey
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February 23, 2012 at
09:03:10 PM
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I'm 31, And got to see him some on "Thursday night thunder" when I was young, but I never got to see Robbie Stanley in person, I was a huge fan. Won the all stars then 3 straight usac champs (would have been 4). I truely believe he would be like the Gordon/Stewart's if he hadn't passed.
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