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

Well we are getting dangerously close to the best 10 days of the year. There is never of shortage of things to do at the Nationals. Celebrate Community Church is once again planning a fun event for Friday morning from 11AM-12:30. We will be hosting a Tribute to Sammy Swindell. Steve Post of MRN radios Winged Nation will be the host of this event. Sammy will be here to tell stories and answer questions. Other guest speakers will include:

Jeff Swindell

Kevin Swindell

David Hesmer

We have had events the last 2 years that highlighted Steve Kinser and the NSL. This will be a really fun event. We will be asking for a free will donation, all of which will be donated to the Knoxville Raceway Charitable Organization(KRCO) and the Steve King Foundation. Both of these organization do so much for injured drivers and their families. 

This event is in Celebrate Church (directly across the highway from turns 1 and 2 of the raceway). So it will happen rain or shine. We will wrap up at 12:30, so everyone has time to make it to the Kick It game. We would love to have you come and enjoy some time with one the of the legends in sprint car racing. We have plenty of seating and they are even padded chairs! Our entire building is handicap accessible as well. 

If you have any stories you would like to hear or any questions that you would like Sammy to answer, please just post them on here and we will keep track of them. 

We hope to see you August 12th from 11-12:30. If you have any questions, please call our office at 641-828-7603 or email us at [email protected]. 

As I type this 536 people have viewed this thread and nobody has anything to ask Sammy at this Tribute. Usually when his name comes up people have all kinds of things to say about him. Evidently nobody wants to know the real Sammy, just what they perceive from the stands. I am excited to see Sammy speak and also to see Kevin and hear directly from him how he is doing. 

Out of all of the car owners he has driven for, who was the most involved with the team, least involved?  Who is still friends / acquantances even though they may no longer own a team (Harold Annett, Raymond Beadle (family), Nance (family), Guy Forbrook, etc., etc..)

What track is his favorite to race at and why?  (could be a hole in the wall that pays squat, but provides great racing)

In light of Kevin's accident last year, who (if anyone) stepped up to the plate to offer their assistance from a personal level only (not financially, just people that were there for Kevin, Sammy, Amy, Zoe and Jordan to offer whatever they could to help them).

what race is his most memorable or win.

Did he enjoy his battles with Steve Kinser as much as we all did?

Will he race sprints again next year and if yes for who?

Who helped Sammy the most in his career mechanically do achieve what he has?

What would he change in Woo if he could rules,tires,motors,etc ?

What does he see as the future of the sport, both in who are the drives that will be the stars (and not head to NASCAR) and what will it take to keep cars on the track, fans in the seats and tracks for them to show up to?

Sammy you've been racing a long time, And have raced with the best of the best! Give me a one word answer that describes these drivers in your mind?

1. Steve Kinser

2. Doug Wolfgang

3. Dave Blaney

4. Mark Kinser

5. Donny Schatz

Thanks Paul Enderson

West Fargo ND

You're known for driving some of the most beautiful and iconic paint schemes in the history of sprint car racing.  Which one is your favorite?

If you could race wheel to wheel one final time against any of your former competitors who are now retired...who would you most like to race against?  And why?

Describe the rivalry between Steve Kinser, Doug Wolfgang, and Sammy Swindell from your eyes.

You've won nearly every event or championship there is to win in Sprint Car racing.  What's the one Trophy or Championship missing you really wish you had?

Will there  be a bumper car race as a tribute?

(Couldn't resist, actually I'm a Sammy fan! )

These are all great question, keep them coming. Thanks for your input.

I was once standing alone with Sammy in his Trophy Room (actually the front room of his shop office) and after looking around at all the hardware asked him to tell me which one meant the most.  He didn't hesitate, he said they all did, these were just trophies and each win held it's own satisfaction and he wouldn't budge off that thought.  I joked around, tried to be serious and everything else to get an answer and I had no luck.

That day when I walked in, there was nobody else in the shop and I found Sammy on a ladder shining the tail light on his Motorhome.  This same shop was like his office and showroom, you could eat directly off the floor, no need to worry about any 5 second rule in this place.  Another thing that got my attention was the DOZENS of top wings that he had in perfect shape in his shop, collectors would have lost their minds.  I remember from my days when he ran my sticker that at season't beginning I used to send him about 40 or 50 and it was right then that I knew why.  A visit I will never forget...

MSPN, you should write a book. Most people probably wouldn't believe the things you have seen and done.  I miss looking thru your work at your stand. Are you going to make it back for the Nationals this year?

Talked about that with a few people about a decade ago.  My biggest problem was not keeping a diary which would support the proper dates, I had enough stories thanks to doing it year round for almost 3 years.  Those two 3 month trips to Australia really opened me up to so much more and so many great people, many with great stories as well.  I have enough Outlaw stuff to write half the book alone but to be honest too many of them are still racing, lol....I was very fortunate to stay with dozens upon dozens of wonderful sprint car fans from coast to coast in the USA and they all had stories that we shared as well.  The book thing was often talked about but I just couldn't keep track of the dates, they all ran together after so many years....

MSPN, the dates are not important! Who would even know if you were right or not. I still remember the night you crashed at my house after a few glasses of "smurf urine". My wife didn't know you were there until the next morning when she found you on the couch. She was scared to death. I told her I didn't know who you were and she should call the police. Then I stopped her as she reached for the phone. 

Wow, I am unfamiliar with the handle at this late age, sorry.  I was once married to a policeman (firearms officer) so I get along quite well with them, lol.  Give me a hint and name the city and let's see if I still have half a brain working. 

As to getting back to Knoxville my health issues won't allow it at this point, the farthest I go these days is the Polo store in Michigan.  Enjoy yourself there, I will be watching nights one and two and may even go all out and get the whole package although I've never been a big fan of the final night which angers many in this forum, lol.  Take It Easy, a reference to my favorite city in your fine country, Winslow, AZ.....

I just want to say how much appreciate what he was in the 80s and 90s.  The WoO was special then so much because of him and his equipment.  The extra ticket price used to be a great value because his stuff was cleaner, cranked harder, was  more unique, shined brighter, ran higher and harder and was just plain more fun to watch than almost everyone else's.   Thanks Sammy... you inspired many to be great and not settle for less. 

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?

Thanks for the private E-Mail oppfan, man that brought back some special memories, some of the BEST days of my life....

Ford guy, maybe your best post EVER and not a mention of that 4 letter word either, well done....