[John P Huss]

Like to hear some stories you may have about him. Have
missed seeing him in the Champ Dirt Car last year. Many
memories of him running Angell Park. He was always a
favorite of mine. Running Foyt's cars at Indy pretty cool!
Best Regards,
John

[jleme154]

I named my cat Beechler after him.

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[racephoto1]

Donnie said he's now retired. I spoke to him at Terre Haute. Great guy and family man. When he ran , he wasn't afraid to gas it up. This Donnie at Terre Haute in 2010.


IMG_8691 copy by uncloose1, on Flickr

[ISF]

We talked to Donnie for quite awhile at the Springfield Speedway Reunion in the Illinois Building on the Fairgrounds in Springfield last October.

What a nice guy! He really does have a great looking family and it sounds as if he's totally at peace with his retirement from driving racecars.

I don't remember off hand if Donnie raced again after the nasty tumble he took in the 4th turn at The Springfield Mile or not but no one could blame him if he didn't.

We have fond memories of the all rookie 8th row of the starting grid of the 1998 Indianapolis 500 consisting of Jack on the inside, Steve Knapp in the middle and Donnie on the outside.

I recall in probably '92 or '93 on one of Donnie's (I believe)first Midget rides at Granite City at a MARA show for Ned Kirkpatrick in his 4a. We were pitted next to them, and as I recall Ned wasn't too impressed with the young man that night.....LOL
Our second Chili Bowl in '95 I liked to peed myself watching him come from the B, started 16th in the A for the Zarounions and topped my hero Ron Shuman and Billy Boat in one of my all-time favorite A-Mains anywhere ever!!

[kart31rac]

I have known Donnie since the 80's and you won' find a better peerson. Donnie said one time that the only two rides he ever got fired from were A. J. Foyt and the Captian Rick Pollocks 21p car. But he did drive for Rick many times after.

[Seadog]

I recall Donnie leading under caution an IndyCar race (Texas?) several years ago in the Foyt Harrah's car. A certain Mr. Rutherford in the pace car ran into Donnie's car while on the track and put him out of the race. That sucks man.

When Beechler was canned from the Foyt car, I fired off an email to Harrah's about it to let them know my displeasure with the move. The CEO of Harrah's actually called me on the phone and talked to me about it. I'm not kidding. He said it was not Foyt's decision but Harrah's and gave me a lame story as to the reasoning. I didn't buy it and let him know that.

[John P Huss]

Fond memories of Donnie in McNulty midget at Angell
Park. Thanks to all of you sharing your thoughts of
this awesome driver!
Best Regards,
John

[jdull99]

Proved out again and again that front engine open-wheel guys could still run Indycars!

Many top 6 runs in 00-01 (last yr IRL was really "cool")...shame he didn't get to keep running. Felt like I was one of the few who got to enjoy the runs he had...woulda been even better with better teams too...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donnie_Beechler

[illiNOISE]

Originally Posted by Seadog When Beechler was canned from the Foyt car, I fired off an email to Harrah's about it to let them know my displeasure with the move. The CEO of Harrah's actually called me on the phone and talked to me about it. I'm not kidding. He said it was not Foyt's decision but Harrah's and gave me a lame story as to the reasoning. I didn't buy it and let him know that.

At the risk of taking this thread off the topic of Donnie, I've got to say that if you can get the CEO of a company the size of Harrrahs to return a phone call involving anything having to do with Indy Car, then the IICS probably needs to look into hiring you to market their circle track races.