Re: "Tribute to Don Smith draws "American Heroes"
 

good job on organizing that duke, look's like a good time was had by all.

Re: "Tribute to Don Smith draws "American Heroes"
 

Originally Posted by terrehautian:
Duke...asked this in another thread that got locked, but just wondering how many times have you won a feature as a driver? What tracks have you promoted? How long did you race? I am just wondering, not insulting you. I seen you talk about your racing career, but never seen any stats.

From Open Wheel Times - Duke's USAC record, including Champ Cars from 1971-1988

Total Races: 129 A Mains: 129 Wins: 1 Top 5: 15 Top 10: 43 Top 15: 71 Top 20: 107

100% 1% 12% 33% 55% 83%

And I wouldn't expect a straight answer from Duke.....

Re: "Tribute to Don Smith draws "American Heroes"
 

Have been attending sprint races in the midwest since 1956 and do not recall SuperDude winning any features.

Re: "Tribute to Don Smith draws "American Heroes"
 

Originally Posted by Pat O'Connor Fan:
One of the few (in fact, darned few) good things about getting to be such an old fart is that I was fortunate enough to have seen everyone in that photo (except Bill Smith :)) drive race cars "back in the day".

Ditto on that. Can't even begin to be thankful enough to have seen these guys on a weekly basis. Also thankful they all survived that era. I remember a few crashes they were in, where I held my breath, just sure they didn't make it. That is one great photo! :9:
David.

---------- Post added at 07:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:12 PM ----------

Originally Posted by sprinter25:
From Open Wheel Times - Duke's USAC record, including Champ Cars from 1971-1988

Total Races: 129 A Mains: 129 Wins: 1 Top 5: 15 Top 10: 43 Top 15: 71 Top 20: 107

100% 1% 12% 33% 55% 83%

And I wouldn't expect a straight answer from Duke.....

As everyone is aware I'm sure, stats can be interpreted in many different ways. Lots of factors to consider. Back then, as is the case today, the quality of the car you're driving often dictates the success you achieve, or don't achieve.
Having been around most of that time, I rarely (if ever) remember Duke in a first class, state of the art, top dollar ride. I'm sure a lot of the stats above are a reflection of that.
My brothers and I crewed on a car that Duke drove. I can promise you it was not junk, but it was far from the caliber Pancho, Bigelow and most of the others were driving. I thought, considering what he had to work with, that he did a great job.
Not defending Duke, he doesn't need me or anyone else to speak for him. Just an observation from someone who was there, that's all.
David.

Re: "Tribute to Don Smith draws "American Heroes"
 

Originally Posted by modocer 57:
have been attending sprint races in the midwest since 1956 and do not recall superdude winning any features.

well if you would have been sober you mite remeber! This post was not about me!!!!!!!!!!!! *******!

---------- Post added at 09:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:07 PM ----------

Originally Posted by sprinter25:
from open wheel times - duke's usac record, including champ cars from 1971-1988

total races: 129 a mains: 129 wins: 1 top 5: 15 top 10: 43 top 15: 71 top 20: 107

100% 1% 12% 33% 55% 83%

and i wouldn't expect a straight answer from duke.....

not many i was not very good! But one night at a usac sprint race in ohio they all felt sorry for me and after starting 9th in the feature they slow way down and let me win won!!!!!!!!!!!

---------- Post added at 09:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:07 PM ----------

:22:can you tell me how many usac sprint main events are in that photo?????? First one wins two free tickets!!!

Re: "Tribute to Don Smith draws "American Heroes"
 

How many usac sprint car feature wins are in this photo? First one that get it right! Wins two free tickets!

Re: "Tribute to Don Smith draws "American Heroes"
 

ONE, "hell-of-a-bunch"!
Did I win?

Re: "Tribute to Don Smith draws "American Heroes"
 

:23:...541...:22:

Re: "Tribute to Don Smith draws "American Heroes"
 

307 :32:

Hewitt-48
Vukovich-19
Bettenhausen- 41
Parsons- 4
Engelhart- 1
Liguori- 3
Carter- 42
Walkup- 14
Dickson- 44
Masters- 3
Bigelow- 52
Schrader- 4
Rutherford- 9
Marvel- 1
Cook- 1
Chassey- 13
Saldana- 8

Re: "Tribute to Don Smith draws "American Heroes"
 

USAC Sprints: Bigelow (52); Hewitt (46); Dickson (45); Pancho (42); Gary B (40); Walkup (14); Chassey (13); Rutherford (8); Saldana (8); Parsons (5); Ligouri (4);
Schrader (4); Masters (3); Vuky (2); Englehart (1); Marvel (1); Super Duke (1)

TOTAL 289 Wins ** Sprint Only....Not counting the midget, dirt cars, or stock cars wins