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

Just saw on Twitter that Sammy is retiring from full time racing effect immediately. He wants to race chilli bowl and that is it. Man, that sucks. Love him or hate him, with him and Steve gone it leaves a big void in the sport. I knew he was struggling but I never thought he would go out like this. Its a sad day for sprint car racing. Thanks for all the amazing memories Sammy, you will be missed!!!!

Two legends gone/retiring from the sport this year. All the best SS

Knoxville Natioanls attendee since '95
Favorite Tracks...River Cities, Knoxville, Cedar Lake
Favorite Drivers...S.Kinser, T.Kaeding, K.Madsen, S.Smith
Proud Canadian 

HE GONE!!!

Agreed.  I did not see his departure from sprint car racing happening like this either.  I'm 34 and grew-up with Kinser, Wolfgang, and Sammy.  One does not have to like him, but a true sprint car fan has to respect his accomplishments.

Love him or hate him this is a bad deal. To bad it had to end this way but things are what they are. I was never a Swindell fan but he has done a lot for the sport. I'm ths biggest Kinser fan there is but we know what his plans are. You have to respect Swindell for what he has done. When I went to the Kinser deal in Knoxville he wouldn't  say much about Swindell but you could tell the little bit he said that they both have a lot of respect for each other. Sprint car racing will go on and be fine but if will be somewhat differant. THANKS

Hard to believe the Slammer will be gone. 

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?

I grew up a Wolfgang fan but anyone on this forum who didn't wish to see an A main with Steve and Sammy starting side by side shouldn't call themselves a sprint car fan.  Sammy changed this sport into what it is today.  His attention to detail and cleanliness are still what every team team out there strives for.  I still believe that TMC #1 car was the best looking race car I have come across.  Sammy is a lot of things, not very personable, not usually a very likeable, etc... but he is one the best sprint car drivers ever.  Thanks for the memories Sammy!
 

Glad he will be racing in Chili Bowl,  He will be heard from soon. Old Guys Rule..Thanks Sammy.....When it aint fun, why do it...

Here we have a case of two absolute sprint car legends who are in the process of leaving the sport in one way or another and all you can do is bag on them. What have you done in the sport or for the sport? When you leave the sport (and not a moment too soon) how will you be remembered? Or will you be remembered at all? My bet is on the latter. However, Steve and Sammy both will be remembered for a very long time. Both will be missed by many when they no longer strap in for a race. You will be missed by no one when you no longer visit a racetrack. BTW, both Steve and Sammy have won main events this year..................................

Couldn't have said it better myself....very very few that could out drive him, and even fewer that could out think Sammy.

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.

Sammy has been my favorite sprint car driver since I was a little kid going to Knoxville (I'm 23 now). I'm going to miss watching him race, but I'm so glad that I got to see his final win during the 360 Nationals and his final event at the Knoxville Nationals (even with the engine troubles). I'm going to miss watching him race, but at least the Chili Bowl is something to look forward to. And who knows? Maybe if someone with a competitive ride makes an offer, we might see him make another run at the Nationals. That may not be likely, but a fan can hope!

Ask Frank

One of the greatest dirt car racers of all time and I'm lucky to have watched Sammy work his magic for almost 30 years.

1. Sammy has to be the best driver/set up man in all of dirt racing.

2. I wonder how the WOO will do without Steve & Sammy?

Congrats on a storied career.

A

I wish he didnt so abruptly retire, he deserves the appreication that Kinser has gotten at all of these tracks as well.

"I only wish they would have bowed out in their prime"

One of the dumbest things I have read on here, and there have been MANY. 

According to you Schatz should retire at the end of the season ?

A pissing match over Sammy's retirement decision....man. Nothing but huge respect and admiration for the unbridled talent and entertainment that Mr Swindell has blessed us with over the last 40 years. No King and no Slammer. Hate to admit it, but the next great one is Schatz, so enjoy people. Haha

Knoxville Natioanls attendee since '95
Favorite Tracks...River Cities, Knoxville, Cedar Lake
Favorite Drivers...S.Kinser, T.Kaeding, K.Madsen, S.Smith
Proud Canadian 

Never liked Sammy and always hoped that he wouldn't win when I was at a race. However I always respected his accomplishments on and off the track. A true legend that will be missed by everyone whether you liked him or hated him on the track. #jobwelldonesammy