Sprint Car Racing by: Gary Boggan

Posted Jody Shannon on March 25th, 2008 | Filed under Articles, Gary Boggan

Sprint car racing is not for the faint hearted. These machines power to weight ratio are matched only by that of a Formula 1 ride. Pushing 900 horsepower at 1,200 pounds these machines can reach 130 mph in a blink of an eye. These machines are ultra light, making the flips spectacular and high altitude.

Some of the worlds greatest have raced sprint cars, names such as Foyt, Andretti, Stewart, Gordon, Newman, and many more have all tested their skills against the best in the nation in the open wheel sprint car ranks. Foyt, and Andretti having raced 4 cylinder open cage midget sprints throughout the early days of the 50’s with NASCAR stars Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, and Ryan Newman having come from USAC Wingless sprint cars.

Tony Stewart is also owner of Eldora Speedway, which has hosted many of the biggest sprint car races throughout the years such as: 4 Crown Nationals, Mopar Million, The Kings Royal, and the Historical Big One. The biggest 410 race in all of sprint car racing is The Knoxville Nationals hosted in Knoxville, Iowa. With Steve Kinser having been victorious on 12 different occasions. The biggest 360 race is the Short Track Nationals hosted at I-30 Speedway in Little Rock, Arkansas with Gary Wright taking home 4 STN trophies back to his hometown of Hooks, Texas. Steve Kinser having claimed 3 STN titles to his name. John Gerloff, Pete Butler, Wayne Johnson, Tim Crawley, Paul McMahan, Tim Montgomery, Jason Johnson, and Jason Meyers all have claimed one STN with Sammy Swindell, Terry Gray, Mike Ward and Jason Sides all bringing the title back to Memphis, Tenn.

When you think sprint cars, two names instantly come to mind, Steve Kinser and Sammy Swindell. These two have battled it out for the upwards of 30 years, and continue to do so with Sammy Swindell driving a limited schedule in the Ron Pack #83jr machine out of California. Sammy is a hometown hero for the Boggan Family.

Other drivers to come from this area are multi time NCRA, ASCS, and USCS champion Terry Gray. Jeff Swindell, younger of the two Swindell brothers. Eddie Gallagher, who has a couple of USCS National championships to his name along with being tagged as the Dry Slick master. Former Pennsylvania Posse member and 1989 World of Outlaws Champion Bobby Davis Jr., Hooker Hood, and his son Rickey Hood. Pennsylvania Posse ace Greg Hodnett, ARCA rookie Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and his father Ricky Stenhouse Sr. World of Outlaws standout and 2004 winner of the Kings Royal, Jason Sides. Multiple time King of Australia, the Aussie himself, Brooke Tatnell got his U.S. start in Memphis, Tennessee. Some drivers who used to come down almost weekly from the Illinois area are “The One Armed Bandit” Chuck Amati, and Rick Ungar. Along with many more I know I have missed.

Sprint car racing is a great form of auto racing. They come winged, or non wing, with 410’s, 360’s, 358’s, 355’s, 305’s, 4 cylinder, 1200cc, 600cc, 270cc. You can watch them on asphalt or on dirt, and the racing is just as wild on both.

If your looking for a race to go to this year, I highly suggest the Short Track Nationals, as this race was won last year on the last lap, and Jason Meyers pulled a slider on Shane Stewart in lapped traffic after Stewart led the whole race. The competition, excitement, and rush in sprint car racing is unmatched.

Thanks for your time, and stay tuned for more about sprint car racing throughout the country.