Racing, my era and before part 2 by: Gary Boggan

Posted Jody Shannon on January 3rd, 2008 | Filed under Articles, Gary Boggan

Enough with sprint car racing. How about some late models? I remember hearing about Buford Ward, father of Bud Ward (winningest driver in Riverside history) and Sissy Swindell (Jeff’s wife), being top dog. I can’t remember him racing. About as far back as I can remember would be Eddie Ray Alexander in the F-80. I didn’t get to watch him long, before he quit racing. Since then I really didn’t have a favorite late model driver. Until the year 2002, I remember it like it was yesterday, August 23^rd Memphis Motorsports Park. The stars and cars of the MARS Series showed up, I didn’t know what to expect. Bill Frye caught my attention right off. From then on I have been a huge Bill Frye fan. About this time I was in awe at Hall of Famer Jerry Inmon. I had heard stories of battles between Inmon, Johnny Stokes, Don Hester, Billy Moyer, Randy and Jeff Floyd, Wayne Brooks in the famous UFO ride, Wendell Wallace. I started to really like Frye, Inmon, Johnny Lancaster, Dean Carpenter, as well as drivers I have only seen a couple of times. Ronnie Johnson and Rick Eckert come to mind.

Late model racing around here, was 3^rd choice to most, as the sprint cars and super modified were the top classes. Some people don’t know that Slammin’ Sammy Swindell competed in a late model at Riverside, and yes he has won. Sammy also claimed 21^st in the 1982 National 100. Late model racing has since grown from the 70’s model camaro’s, Jerry Inmon even had a four wheel drive Corvette that he piloted. Many have told me they heard him state that it was fast down the straight away but pushed in the corners. Jerry would be part of the known Mississippi Mafia, Inmon, Hester, and Stokes made up the trio. Dad told me when Inmon showed up, he pretty much won the race, but sometimes Buford Ward would give him a run. Jerry would go on to lead the WORLD 100 at Eldora Speedway in 1978 but give up the lead with less than 10 to go to Ken Walton, Inmon would finish 2^nd in this event. Jerry claimed 17^th in ’79. Inmon made the event again in 1981 where he won the 3^rd heat and finished 6^th in the A-Main. In 1982 Jerry had to make the main by way of a last chance race. Despite that, he would win that race and move up to 5^th in the 100 lap main event, and finished 18^th in ‘83. Inmon ran 4^th in the 1984 version of the WORLD 100. Inmon was also go on to claim 2 NDRA wins, and be top 5 in points four times. Jerry would also go on to be the 1985 Southern All-Stars Series Champion, and claim 4 wins in his career with the SAS. Jerry would also run 2^nd in the 2^nd Annual Dirt Track World Championship in Pennsboro, W. Va. Jerry would end up 28^th in 1983. Anytime you think of the best late model drivers, “The Mississippi Flyer” Jerry Inmon comes to mind.

Greenbrier, Arkansas own Bill Frye, known as “The FRYEDADDY”, become a legend in my eyes at Memphis Motorsports Park in 2002. I had never heard of this Bill Frye before, but after hot laps he was sure to be my favorite, second only to Jerry Inmon. Bill Frye has had a legendary career spanning nearly 30 years. Frye, has won countless races such as the Hillbilly 100 in 1994, a Hav-A-Tampa qualifier, the Hav-A-Tampa Shootout in ‘95, 2^nd place in The DREAM and Eldora Speedway in ‘96, Topless 100 in ‘96, 3^rd in the WORLD 100 in ‘96, and many other events. Bill Frye was a three time track champion in 1990, North Little Rock Speedway, West Plains Motor Speedway, and Monett Speedway. As well as being a five time MARS Series Champion, only one other driver has won a championship in this series, that would be Terry Phillips. Bill Frye is best remembered for his feud with late model ace Scott Bloomquist at the 1997 DREAM at Eldora. I was not there, so I do not know what happened, but I have been told be several people, including Bloomquist fans that Scott dumped Bill on lap 23 after Frye took the lead, Frye retaliated under caution by running into the door of Scott Bloomquist. Frye will also be remembered for his altercation with Duke Whiseant at the 2000 Dirt Track World Championship, I was told Duke cause a 15 car pile up, and Frye didn’t like it. If you have never stood next to Bill Frye, I would say he stand about 6’6” or 6’7” and I would be scared if he came at me mad. Every time I ever talked to him he was nice as could be, and a clean driver on the track also.

I race in the mini-stock division at Riverside International Speedway, the driver that everyone chases is Bud Ward. Bud is Buford’s son, and a very good racecar driver. They announced over the PA System at the track he is the winningest driver in Riverside history. I have been told by his some people close to him he had offers to drive a late model back in the old Hav-A-Tampa days, but never took them. My dad can remember when Bud drove a late model, he told me but is probably the best he has ever seen in a late model. Bud is definitely the one to watch in the mini-stock division, Bud and Jeff Swindell are co-owners in a three car team. Bud Ward, Britni Swindell, Jeff Swindell, Sissy Swindell, and Michelle Ward are all the drivers.

As you can already tell, the Memphis area has had a bunch of drivers come through here on their way to the top of the ladder.