In Memorium

In Memorium
This site is dedicated to the memory of
Lennie Calinoff


Miles Nelson

 and
John Levan 
 
They freely dedicated their time to starting these racing sites so we could read about and see pictures of the sport of racing.
Thanks
Len, Miles and John!

  
  Harold E. "Hal"Minyard 
              
             
1925 -2010

  
Harold E. "Hal" Minyard 85, Speedway, Indiana died Thursday March 4, 2010. He was born January 8, 1925 in California the son of Sidney and Edith Minyard. Hal was a professional race car driver and he retired as a mechanic from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1999 after 25 years. Mr. Minyard was an Army veteran of W.W.II. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, March 8, 2010 in Conkle Funeral Home Speedway Chapel. A memorial service will be at a later date. Survivors include wife, Dawn Minyard; seven daughters; son and his best friend, Freddie; 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Hal was the originator of the McHal helmets

 
          Gene Angelillo            
           
            1936 - 2010

   Waterbury, CT – Gene Angelillo, a 14-time Northeastern Midget Association owners champion, died Monday after a short illness at St Mary’s Hopsital. Angelillo, 74, also had an ARDC championship on a 30-year plus resume that included over 112 victories, 107 of them in NEMA.
  
Calling hours for Angelillo will be Thursday, March 4, 1-to-3 and 5-to-9 at Chase Parkway Memorial, 430 Chase Parkway in Waterbury, CT.
Funeral services will be at Sacred Heart Church, 910 Main Street South in Southbury, CT on Friday at noon.
  
A Waterbury native, Angelillo’s team was “Dumo’s Desire” in recognition of his late father Dominic and more recently “Marilyn’s Desire” in honor of his late wife.

Marilyn and Gene, both officers, brought a passion to Midget racing in general and to NEMA in particular.

Survivors include daughter and son-in-law Laura Kibbe and granddaughters Tiana and Brooke.

Angelillo and Drew Fornoro formed one of the greatest owner/driver combinations in Midget history. Russ Stoehr and Joey Payne also won features and championships for Angelillo. He won races with Johnny Kay, Nokie Fornoro and Ted Christopher as well.
 
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent for the
ANGELILLO MEMORIAL RACE
NEMA   261 Lincoln Road   Sudbury, MA 01776


   Uihlein, David Vogel
  
         1921 - 2010 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Vogel Uihlein was born in Milwaukee on July 27, 1920, the son of Joseph E. Uihlein Sr. and Ilma Vogel Uihlein. He passed away peacefully at his home in Mequon, WI on Friday, January 29, 2010 at the age of 89. He is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Margery Holley Uihlein "MM", his children Lynde Bradley Uihlein of Milwaukee, and David Vogel Uihlein Jr. (Julia) also of Milwaukee; grandchildren Sarah Olson Zimmerman (Steven), Milwaukee; John Uihlein Olson (Ellen Blakstad) of Oslo, Norway; Dr. Alexander Uihlein (Lily), Boston; MA; Elizabeth Uihlein, Chicago, IL; Charles Uihlein, Milwaukee; great-grandchildren Joseph and Nathaniel Zimmerman, Milwaukee, and Hedda Olson of Oslo, Norway. He is also survived by Margery Uihlein's children Barbara Kuehn Frank (Richard) and Philip Gregg Kuehn (Kathryn) of Milwaukee; John Corliss Kuehn (Cris Mulvey) of Missoula, MT; her grandchildren, to whom he was also "Poppo", John Frank (Elsie Sunderland), Peter Frank (Katy); Charles Kuehn (Jane); Andrew Kuehn; Seppe Kuehn (Hope Mechelson); Erika Kuehn; and great-grandson, Reid Frank.
Mr. Uihlein was a 1939 graduate of the Hill School, Pottstown, PA. He worked at the Schlitz Brewing Company for a year before heading to the U.S. Brewers' Academy in New York City. He attended University of Wisconsin in 1940-41where he was one of two walk-on freshman football players who received letters. He proudly served in World War II as an ambulance driver for the American Field Service in Italy, Austria, and India. A businessman, he acquired the Banner Welder Co. in 1949. It continues as a successful business today. Carrying on his family's heritage in the brewing industry, he also purchased and ran the Oshkosh Brewing Co. in Oshkosh, WI, from 1961 to 1969. He served on corporate boards including Schlitz Brewing Co., Briggs and Stratton, Allen-Bradley Co., and First Wisconsin Bank. Mr. Uihlein was a man of many enthusiasms. He had a colorful personality, and was a wonderful storyteller. He was an ardent naturalist and outdoorsman. He was happiest hunting or fishing in northern Wisconsin or Canada with "MM". He was the founder and president of the Milwaukee chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society and active in his support of Ducks Unlimited, the Trout and Salmon Foundation and the Nature Conservancy, among others. Mr. Uihlein was an avid collector. He collected antique cars, especially 1930's Indianapolis 500 race cars, as well as old boats, airplanes, and duck decoys. He restored many of his classic cars with his own hands. A 1925 Bugatti, a gift to Mrs. Uihlein, won a blue ribbon in 1989 at the Concours D'Elegance in Pebble Beach, CA. In 1995, he founded the Harry Miller Meet. This national show and race car event is held every year at the Milwaukee Mile for collectors and aficionados of antique race car engine designer Harry Miller. Mr. Uihlein will be deeply missed by family and friends for his great love of life, his capacity for friendship, fun, and devotion to causes close to his heart. The family wishes to thank all those who have provided devotion, care, and comfort for Mr. Uihlein. A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, from 4 to 7 PM. A private memorial service will be scheduled at a later time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ruffed Grouse Society, National Audubon Society, The Hill School, or the charity of your choice.



      Michael BOTELHO, SR
     
          1957-2009
Michael Botelho, 52, was born in Santa Cruz, CA, on March 14, 1957, passed away on December 15, 2009 after a year long battle with cancer.

Michael was a graduate of Reno High School and a local business owner. Michael will be missed by his family and all of his friendships that he developed over the years as a driver and co-owner of MMS Karting in Reno. Michael raced Go-Karts as a youngster and made the transition to midgets and sprint cars from age 18 to his late thirties.

Michael is survived by his parents, Bill and Betty Botelho, wife, Corrina Botelho, children Michael Jr, Christina, Jamie and Johnny and his grand children Qualik, Jaylynn and Azia.

Kenneth James Lay "Kenny" 1930- 2010

LAY Kenneth James "Kenny" Kenny Lay, 79, of Sarasota, FL, formerly of Ottawa Hills, passed away Friday, January 1, 2010, at The Toledo Hospital, surrounded by his family. He was born May 17, 1930, in Toledo, Ohio, to Reinhart and Mary (Vetter) Lay. He graduated from Macomber High School in 1949, where he was All City in basketball. Kenny was drafted into the United States Army in 1951, served during the Korean War. He married Betty Borden in September of 1956 in Toledo, Ohio and she preceded him in death in 1996. An established businessman and entrepreneur, Kenny started the Lay Transmission Company in 1956. A trusted business, Kenny established contracts with city of Toledo, the state of Ohio and the Canadian Government. In addition to his transmission company, he owned and operated the West Toledo Recreation Center, Lay Industries and maintained numerous real-estate holdings. Kenny was very active in car racing, owning various racing teams. His numerous accomplishments in racing, included an IMCA Championship, a National Drag Racing Championship and in 1970 he won the Sprint Car USAC Championship. In addition to his car racing, Kenny was an avid collector of classic cars; winning many awards, most recently 1st place in the Ford Nationals at Auburn Indiana, with his 1940 Ford Convertible. Among the many positions he held, Kenny was past president of the Automotive Service Association of Toledo (ASA), a member of the Toledo Opera Guild, The Apollo Society of the Toledo Museum of Art and a member of Gulf & Bay Club, Sarasota FL. He also was a longtime member of the Inverness Country Club, The North Cape Yacht Club in Lasalle, Michigan, and a Wood County Sheriff's Office Special Deputy. Kenny was a world traveler. He was most happy when working on a car or spending time in Siesta Key, Florida with family and friends.
 Kenny is survived by his son, Kenneth James (Debra) Lay Jr. of Rossford, OH and their children, Kenneth James III, Kaitlyn E., Kyle R. A. Lay; son, Bradley E. (Lisa) Lay of Ottawa Hills, OH and their children, Brittany B., Bridgette A., Bradley E. Lay, Jr.; Brother, Paul (June) Lay of Wauseon OH, and son-in-law, Tim Gladieux and his children, Kendra M., Monica B., Marissa P. and Virgil A. Gladiuex II., all of Ottawa Hills, OH, and special companion, Rosalie Richards of Perrysburg, OH. Along with his wife Betty, Kenny was preceded in death by his daughter, Laurine A. Lay-Gladieux and sister, Eleanor Lay-Roberts.

Hans, Schmidt, 1928-2009

Hans,81 a retired supervisor for Western Electric and A.T.&T., died Sunday, October 25, 2009. Service, 10 a.m., Friday, October 30, Downing & Lahey Mortuary West. Preceded in death by wife, Helen; sister, Gretta Stenson. Survivors: sons, David of Houston, TX, Duane of Goddard; daughter, Danette Koehn of Furley; grandchildren, Heather Koehn and Gus Schmidt. In lieu of flowers, memorials to american Heart association, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674 and Wichita Toy Train Club, P.O. Box 4091, Wichita, KS 67204. Tributes may be sent to the family via www.dlwichita.com

 Dad at about age 3 immigrated from Germany with his Mother and Sister. Grandpa had come over a couple years earlier , He graduated from Arsenal Tech High School in Indianapolis, and then after he and Mom were married he started working at the Western Electric plant on Shadeland Road. In 69 he was transferred to the Shreveport plant and about 75 he went to Wichita where he retired.

Dad was a racer when he was young and real race fan most of his life.

Dad who ran midgets with the old C.O.R.A. group out of Indy in the late 40's and early 50's. If anyone knows any of the old CORA group, especially Carroll Sandy, please pass this
on to them.

He was working at the Speedway the day Vuky was killed. He never forgave Ward for that deal. He loved the midgets and sprints and when the foreign drivers took over in Indycar he hated it and migrated to NASCAR.
My fondest memories are of sitting in his unfinished midget driving the wheels off it. If he ever knew how many times I yanked on that wheel while I was winning the 500 he didn't say anything. That and all the nights at Kitley with him watching my heroes in their midgets. He sold that midget in the early 60's and I never did get to see him race. Mom made him quit when little brother came along.
He got me started in the model airplane game when I was a freshman in high school. And boy did he ever love his Lionel trains. That was what he and kid brother were doing the Sunday afternoon before he died. Off to a train show in Wichita. Duane said he was happy as a clam when he took him home Sunday afternoon, got him settled in for the evening and when he went back to check on him Monday morning he was gone.
David Schmidt

ROBERT Grant MOORHEAD, 1921 -2009


Maj. General (ret.) Robert Grant Moorhead 88, of Indianapolis, passed away on October 11, 2009.
Mr. Moorhead served as USAC Chairman of the Board from 1982-2001 after serving as a Board Member since 1968. A past president of the 500 Festival Committee, he conceived the very successful USAC Winners’ Circle Club. He was born on Sept 4, 1921 to Robert L. and Roxanne Sanders Moorhead in Orleans, Indiana. He was a graduate of Indiana University where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. After college, he began Officer Candidate Training School and soon found himself in Europe as a replacement officer assigned to the 115th Infantry, which had been decimated on D-Day. When he returned from Germany as a young Captain, Bob joined the Indiana National Guard, eventually rising to the rank of Major General and Division Commander. He later was appointed Deputy Commander of the U.S. Training and Doctrine Command. He earned numerous military decorations, including the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. One of the high points of his military career was being elected president of the Association of the United States Army. Bob joined Central Publishing Company in 1947 and was its President and owner from 1960 – 1989. He loved the Indianapolis 500, and was one of a handful of city leaders that founded the 500 Festival Association, serving as its President in 1963. He continued his involvement, heading the 500 Parade Safety and Security for decades. A longtime member of the downtown Kiwanis Club, Bob was instrumental in the relocation of the Kiwanis Headquarters from Chicago to Indianapolis. He served Kiwanis faithfully at every level; as a club President, a District Governor and as International Foundation President. As a tribute for the many Kiwanis clubs he built, members he recruited and hours he devoted to the children of the world, Bob was recognized just last year when Kiwanis unveiled a state of the art facility, the Robert G. Moorhead Auditorium and Leadership Education Center. He was a Member of the Indianapolis Board of Public Safety, the Police Merit Board and the State Traffic Advisory Committee. Bob served as President of the State Armory Board for decades, and was proud to have the downtown Armory renamed the Tyndall-Moorhead Armory. Until his health failed him, he never missed an American Legion Convention, continuing the legacy his father began in 1919. Growing up on a farm in southern Indiana, Bob never had the opportunity to participate in Boy Scouts as a child. He certainly made up for that as an adult, serving as President of the Crossroads Council of Boy Scouts of America. He cherished his Scouting Silver Beaver Award. Whether the call was for help developing a public television station in Indianapolis or for the American Cancer Society or the Salvation Army, Bob was always "front and center." And, in the end, he would hold a key leadership position in whatever organization sought out his expertise. For his tireless dedication to his community Bob was awarded a total of five Sagamore of the Wabash awards from five different Indiana Governors! He also found time for camaraderie and fellowship. He was a member of Northminster Presbyterian Church, the Columbia Club, the Indianapolis Athletic Club, Meridian Hills Country Club, Tippecanoe Lake Country Club, The Army Navy Club in Wash. D.C., and the Skyline Club. Bob is survived by his wife of 61 years, Margaret (Maggie) Bachelder Moorhead. Bob had known Maggie since the day she was born. He also leaves five children, James (Martha) Moorhead of Little Rock, Ark; Richard (Margy) Moorhead of Fishers, IN; Barbara (Danny) Hockett of Carmel, IN; Sandy (Ed) Hale of Dallas, TX; Janet (Ed) Hourigan of Indianapolis. He was the proud grandfather of 19 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren who will cherish memories of time spent with Papaw at Lake Tippecanoe. He was preceded in death by his sister, Anne Moorhead Burge and grandson, Robert Daniel Hockett, Jr. The family would like to thank all of the staff at Marquette Manor for making the "General" feel at home these past six years. Special thanks to Alaa, Victoria, Tony and Jerry, his wonderful care-givers, whose individual attention was so appreciated. Visitation will be Sunday, October 18 from 1:30-5:00 pm at Crown Hill Funeral Home, 700 W. 38th St. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, October 19 at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 1660 Kessler Boulevard East Dr, Indianapolis. Military Burial to follow at Crown Hill Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Kiwanis International Foundation, 3636 Woodview Trace, Indianapolis, IN 46268 and to the 38th Division Association, co Monument Fund, 3912 W. Minnesota St., Indianapolis, IN 46241. Online condolences may be sent to www.crownhill.org. Arrangements entrusted to Crown Hill Funeral Home.



Timothy L. Behmer, Sr 1950 - 2009
 
Timothy L. Behmer Sr., 59, of New Providence, passed away on Saturday evening at Lancaster General Hospital.
He was the husband of Clara V. Kline Behmer, with whom he would have celebrated 41 years of marriage this coming December 7th. Born in Lancaster , he was the son of the late Daniel W. and Phyllis Rittenhouse Behmer.
Tim had worked for Barstools and Billiards as an installer for 17 years until 2006. Prior to20this, he had worked in the mobile home industry as an electrician from 1973 to 1982, and also with John Zook Construction for 8 years.
He served as a Lance Corporal in the US Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
Tim was the car owner and pit crew for his son, Tim’s, TQ Midget race car. He also was a great pool player, playing in and winning many tournaments locally and in Las Vegas . He was a former president of the Lancaster County 8 Ball League to which he is a member of the league’s Hall of Fame. He also served as president for the Riverside Camping Association.  He loved shuffle alley, the outdoors, hunting and skiing, and was an avid NASCAR and Dallas Cowboys fan.
In addition to his wife, Tim is survived by his son, Timothy L., Jr. married to Danielle of Mt. Joy; his grandson, Troy; and his sister, Frances married to William McFalls of Manheim. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Terry Behmer and William Kurtz, and his sisters, Cinda Frizinger and Doris Whitmoyer and the many additional family members. 
Friends will be received on Friday from 1230PM-2PM at the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home, 414 E. King St. , Lancaster , with the funeral service to follow at 2PM , the Rev. Hadyn McLean officiating. Military Honors by the US Marine Corps. 
To send an online condolence, please visit www.snyderfuneralhome.com
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Merv Furtado  1922-2009

Merv Furtado 1922 - 2009 Born in San Jose, California on May 22, 1922. Entered into rest on August 7, 2009. From an early age Merv loved cars. He started racing midgets in the 40s and progressed to hardtops in the 50s. In recognition of his racing career, Merv was inducted into the San Jose Speedway Hall of Fame in 1997. His love of racing carried on through his son, Rod, and grandson, Tony. He further left his legacy on the racing fraternity, working side by side with Rod, as owner of Furtado's Automotive and subsequently Furtado's Auto Machine. Merv loved the SF Giants, the 49ers, fishing, car racing, Western movies, and animals of all kinds. Survived by his wife of 43 years, Sandy; daughter, Suzie (Danny); stepchildren Connie (Ron), Sherrie (Arin), Jackie, and Mike (Andrea); daughter-in-law, Lorrie; siblings, Fern, June and Fil; grandchildren, Tony, Shawna (Phil), Bret, Randy (Monica), Bobby, Anthony (Erin), Shanna, Marissa, Audra, Atalie, and Justin; great-grandchildren, Hunter, Austin, Alfred, Taylor, and Randy Jr.; various brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws; and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by son, Rod (2002) and step-daughter, Elena (1989). A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, August 30, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. at Darling-Fischer Chapel of the Hills, 615 N. Santa Cruz Avenue in Los Gatos.
 Private internment at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery.

John M. LeVan  1948 - 2008                                                   
         

John M. LeVan, publisher, webmaster and editor of www. openwheelracers.com passed away on Thursday, November 18th 2008, just ten days shy of his 60th birthday, having been born on December 28, 1948.

                                                  

He is survived by his wife, LuAnn (Craig) LeVan, their children, Craig, Michael and Ashleigh, Craig’s fiancée, Sarah Grable, and their son, Kaydin, all at home.  He is also survived by his father, Kenneth H. LeVan and his sister, Barbara L. LeVan, both of Greenfields, Pa.

He was pre-deceased by his first wife, Judith E. (Paup) LeVan, who passed away on June 13, 1981, and his mother, Barbara V. (Pluta) LeVan who passed away on July 17, 2008.

John worked at Cott beverage in Reading, Pa. prior to going on disability a couple of years ago.

He was an Army veteran, having served our nation in Turkey during the Vietnam era.

He was involved in many areas in auto racing in the Pennsylvania area, having been a reporter and photographer for Keystone Auto News and doing public relations work for the United Racing Club.  He was also a member of the Eastern Motorsports Press Association.

Around 1999, he first heard of a man named Lenny Calinoff.  Eventually, they would hook up together and they both got involved in Lenny Calinoff’s OpenWheelRacing.com.  Slowly, with a lot of hard work, they managed to get the website grown into one of the most respected websites devoted to motor sports.

On December 1, 2004, Lenny Calinoff passed away.  For a short period of time, after his death, the website was run by Mr. LeVan.  Some minor problems arose and Mr. LeVan was, more or less, forced to create a new website, and it was named OpenWheelRacers.com.

John was able to devote countless hours to this new website, usually working at night so the next days edition would have up to date information for his readers.

John was quite a “story teller”.  You could give him the name of a driver, either local or in a lot of cases, a nationally known driver, and John would have stories about them.  He was, to many, a walking encyclopedia of auto racing.

John, along with Lenny, were quite instrumental in bringing along new writers – not only for their website, but for other areas in the media, as well.

I got involved with both Lenny and John a few years ago – like around the year 2001.  Lenny and John both pressured me into writing for their website.  Eventually I tried it, liked it, and have had a great time writing for OWR.

There were times when John and I would travel together to various events, like to Richmond for the IRL/USAC races, or going to the EMPA Conventions, when we would share a room together.  And, yes, he’d tell me quite a lot of stories, too.  He would confide in me about the website and how he wanted it to prosper and be one of the best that would be devoted to auto racing.  He was so proud of what the website had become.
  By Tom Avenengo                                                  

Harry F. Stryker  1931 - 2009

Harry was born on October 22, 1931 and passed away on Sunday, July 5, 2009.

You go through life meeting some very good friends then you meet some that are just outstanding, The guy below Who wrote that piece was one of the outstanding ones. I had written Him asking for this information so I could write an article on Him, Not knowing I probably wouldn’t get another chance to hear from Him then.

I knew Him since the mid 60’s when He lived up in the Santa Cruz mtns I had gone up there several times to visit and watch Him do His magic on His midget. Met His whole family up there, Same mold as Him. You couldn’t meet a nicer Family.

Sad to say But Harry passed away a couple of months ago. I never got the chance to write the article.

HARRY STRYKER was one of a kind, May He Race for Ever From Now On.
aXe

Hi Den, "Sorry for the delay but had a few doctor appointments too take care of .I will try and answer your questions in the order you asked them.

Went too my first race in 1946 at Bayshore stadium in San Francisco and then worked for the Kelleher Bros. who had a midget, also met Charlie Lawlor in high school who was my classmate in auto shop. We were racing nuts and went to every race in the area, big cars, roadsters, stock cars and midgets. We bought a 1934 Ford and tried our hand at Hard Tops, One race and we said No way We need a real race car

We then bought a KKV/8 60 from Buzz Balfiore that Tommy Copp was driving, He was not to happy.

I went in the Navy in 1951 and Lawlor ran the midget as He was exempt as head of a household.

In 1961 or 62 we bought a KK offy from Jack London

In 1963 we won the BCRA indoor championship==13 fast times 1 –2nd 1966 BCRA overall champ with Vukie jr driving, Stockton champ with Dee Hileman, 2nd in the northwest with my son Mike Driving 1984 1985

I learned most of my Offy knowledge from Jack London

I can’t tell how many I have overhauled 1 to 2 hundred maybe

Some of my drivers were—Vukie Jr, Gary Bettenhausen, Chuck Rhode, Billy Cantrell, Don Machen, Dee Hielmam, Dean Holden, Bob Tattersall, Mike Mc Greevy. Bob Dejong. Charlie Lawlor, and my sons Harry and Mike.

Just overhauled one last month

Always willing to help anyone with a problem

Yes I still have one

Now I am passing the gathered knowledge too my son Mike who is well equipped to due the job right."

HARRY STRYKER


 

      Miles Nelson 1941-2008
  










             
Miles Nelson, 66, of Wendover UT, passed away on Memorial
Day May 26th. He was born on Aug 25th 1941 in Paget,Bermuda, to George and Olive Nelson. He grew up in Bristol, CT. and then proudly served our country in the U. S. Air Force.  Miles was also an avid auto racing fan and had a passion for golf.  He is survived by a wife Joann, four children, Michael, Sandra(Conner), James, and Sheri (McCammon), a granddaughterMackenzie (Conner), and a sister Norma (Blair). Services will be
held in West Wendover NV. and St. Petersburg FL.

Miles Nelson another one who helped bring Me up on the internet. And one of the few I had the pleasure of actually meeting in person.
Miles was another of the mid week forum chatters with Lenny and the “GANG” way back around 10 years ago. Good name for that bunch for sure. Most nights it was a race to see who got who going first. Miles was no slouch when it came to standing up for what He said(preached) . And He would not back down from His view point very often . One thing can be said about Him He never forgot very much, His mind was like a walking encyclopedia about Indy cars and more so eastern modifieds. He at one point drove some of those cars .
When We got together on the net it was sure some fun days.
His own site indyracereports.com had quite a following of Indy car lovers. With Miles probably the biggest lover of those cars and that big race.
Well another one gone to soon, But He did it pretty good while here. If you ever saw Him the night before the 500 you would surely understand that one.

Miles I hope the golf game is good where ever You are.
RIP Old Friend
aXe


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  Jack McCoy of Modesto 1937 - 2009
 
Winner of more races than anyone in the history of NASCAR's West Coast circuit, died Tuesday at 72.

Mr. McCoy, who also was in the tire business much of his life, died suddenly on April 16 2009 at a Modesto hospital, his family said.

Friends and racing colleagues remembered him as a skilled stock car driver who would have ranked with national legends had he raced full-time.

"Nobody could drive a short track like Jack McCoy — nobody," said Dick Hagerty of Oakdale. "He was just in a class of his own."

Mr. McCoy, a Dodge driver, won a record 54 races in the 1960s and 1970s in NASCAR's regional series, known at various times as Grand National West, Winston West and Pacific Coast Late Model Series. He finished first in the final standings in 1966 and 1973 and second four times.

Mr. McCoy balanced the racing with his work at McCoy Tire Co. and his home life with his wife, Peggy Joyce McCoy, and seven children.

Mr. McCoy was born March 29, 1937, in Los Angeles and later moved with his family to a ranch near Ceres. His father, John McCoy, opened McCoy Tire on Ninth Street in Modesto in 1950.

Jack McCoy, who attended Turlock High School and Modesto Junior College, went to work in the family business.

He later opened his own tire shop on McHenry Avenue, eventually branching into specially made tires and other supplies for race cars.

Mr. McCoy is survived by his wife; his son, Dr. Harry Brown of Modesto; six daughters, Gina Vance of Modesto, Tracee Collins of Kansas, Kathleen Lengel of Ripon, Kim Tofanelli of Sacramento, Cindy Brown of Modesto and Christine Brown of Incline Village, Nev.; sister, Louise Barnick of Modesto; brothers, Dan McCoy of Atascadero and Robert McCoy of Modesto; and 14 grandchildren.

A service will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday at Franklin and Downs, McHenry Chapel, 1150 McHenry Ave., Modesto.

Remembrances may be made to the Carole Sund-Carrington Memorial Reward Foundation, 301 Downey Ave., Modesto 95354, or to a favorite charity.

Published in Modesto Bee from April 16 2009


LONGTIME INDIANAPOLIS 500 CAR OWNER
JONATHAN BYRD 1942 - 2009

INDIANAPOLIS, Friday, Aug. 21, 2009 – Jonathan Byrd, co-entrant in 1996 of Arie Luyendyk’s all-time Indianapolis 500 record qualifier, passed away Aug. 20 in Greenwood, Ind. He was 57.

Byrd, who had been disabled by a stroke since 2004, was a "500" entrant from 1985 until 2001, having aligned himself with a variety of other entrants, including Leader Card, Inc., A.J. Foyt, Ron Hemelgarn, Dick Simon, Alex Morales, the Machinists Union, Clayton Cunningham, Dennis McCormack and Team Xtreme.

Strongly associated for many years with sponsorship of cars at the Indianapolis Speedrome short track, located on the east side of the city, Byrd even sponsored NASCAR champion Darrell Waltrip at one point. He developed a very close friendship and partnership with Rich Vogler, which parlayed into several USAC Midget car titles and numerous wins, eventually taking the pair to the Indianapolis 500.

The charismatic Byrd, with his infectious laugh, never was rewarded with an Indianapolis 500 victory. But he saw several of his drivers land top-10 finishes, including Gordon Johncock (sixth in 1991), Scott Brayton (sixth in '93), Vogler (eighth in '89), Stan Fox (eighth in '91) and John Andretti (10th in '94).

In 1996, Luyendyk's original front-row qualifying run was disallowed when his car failed to meet the minimum weight requirement in a post-qualification technical inspection, but Luyendyk stormed back the following day to obliterate the one- and four-lap qualifying records. This being the final year for turbocharged engines, Luyendyk’s marks with the Tim Wardrop-prepared Byrd/Fred Treadway-entered Jonathan Byrd's Cafeteria/Bryant Heating and Cooling Reynard/Cosworth were 236.986 mph for the four-lap run and an amazing 237.498 mph for the fastest single lap.

Those records still stand.

Byrd is fondly remembered by the "500" fraternity for the many months of May in which he would set up a huge marquee near the garage area and permit literally hundreds of race personal and media per day the opportunity to experience his magnificent cafeteria food.

While Byrd never won at Indianapolis, John Paul Jr. drove one of his cars to victory in the IndyCar Series race in September 1998 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Byrd was a successful businessman who operated Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises and then opened his Jonathan Byrd’s cafeteria and banquet hall in Greenwood, Ind. He also operated several hotels and operated a business trading in rare books, ancient Bibles and theology books. He also was very active in founding and supporting Christian ministries.

Services are pending

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