"Tribute to Don Smith draws "American Heroes"
 

“TRIBUTE TO DON SMITH” DRAWS “AMERICAN HEROES”



American racing heroes were in abundance on Thursday, August 27, when the inaugural “Tribute to Don Smith” was held in Terre Haute, Ind. Honoring the motorsports contributions of the Terre Haute businessman, the day included a luncheon at the Holiday Inn, followed by tours of Smith’s collection of race cars and memorabilia.



Enough drivers to fill a feature field at the Terre Haute Action Track paid homage to Smith, who has served in numerous capacities during his long motorsports career, including race organizer, car owner, sponsor, etc.



The Terre Haute First Financial Bank president was surprised at the turnout of drivers who posed for a group photo before touring his extensive collection.



Drivers in attendance included some of the most prolific Sprint and Midget racers of all time. Indianapolis 500 winner Johnny Rutherford, Ken Schrader, Gary Bettenhausen, Larry Dickson, Pancho Carter, Tom Bigelow, Jack Hewitt, Bill Vukovich, Bruce Walkup, Charlie Masters, Johnny Parsons, Bill Engelhart, Steve Chassey, Ralph Liguori, Mel Kenyon, Steve Stapp, Rich Leavell, Joe Saldana, Steve Lotshaw, Gary Irvin, Jim Mills, Brad Marvel and event organizer Duke Cook were all there, sharing stories from the past.



Racing notables also in attendance included Robin Miller, Dave Argabright, Bob Higman, Bill Marvel and “Speedy Bill” Smith, who came from Lincoln, Neb. to show his support.

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/1035/usacdrivers.jpg
Photo courtesy of Joe DeFabis ~~~~~~~~~~~~Story courtesy of Dick Jordan

Front row (l-r): Jack Hewitt, Bill Vukovich, Gary Bettenhausen, Johnny Parsons, Mel Kenyon, Bill Engelhart, Bill Smith, Ralph Liguori, Pancho Carter.

Center row (l-r): Bruce Walkup, Larry Dickson, Charlie Masters, Steve Lotshaw, Tom Bigelow, Ken Schrader, Johnny Rutherford, Brad Marvel.

Back row (l-r): Duke Cook, Steve Chassey, Jim Mills, Rich Leavell, Joe Saldana, Gary Irvin, Steve Stapp.

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

Priceless!!! :8:

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

:9:thats when men where men and the women was glad of it!!!!!!!!!!!!! Who's going to fill there shoes???????:9::6::8::22:

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

Really a great photo!:8::22:

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

Man the memories I have just looking at that photo. Thanks for the picture. It brought back so many great memories for me. I got to watch most of those guys race and all were incredible drivers. I can remember so many things about Hewitt from him driving for my dad to getting to ride to the track with him in his van just listening to his stories I will cherish those stories. I remember standing on the fence at Salem Speedway as a kid and yelling at Pancho Carter during driver intros and him coming up to say hey. He won both the midget and sprint cars that day. Billy Englehart at Salem how he sat straight up in his seat with chrome down tubes and his car was always beautiful. Standing beside Ken Schrader when I was a kid on top of the Terre Haute infield scoring tower thinking I am standing by Ken Schrader. Later on I got to meet him at Kelly's one night and he is one cool dude and one great race car driver. All the awesome times with Steve Stapp and his son Andy at the tracks. Brad Marvel and his son Justin. Watching Bruce Walkup race and then getting to meet him through my driving school and he was a tough driver and now I consider him a great friend. There are so many more story's that I may add but I have to go to the in laws for dinner. But man racing is such a great sport. It has meant so much to me and my family and you cannot replace those memories.

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

Bump

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

All kidding and jabbing aside, :8::8::22: SuperDuke

I know you could brows Dons Collection a dozen times and find new things every single time.

Glad you had a great one

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

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". I even helped strap three of them into a race car or two. All three of them drove for Dink Cornell at least once.
Gary Irwin had to be the bravest (or was he just plain crazy that night ???) 'cause he even tried to run Curt Cornell's "mouse trap car" at IRP. :5:

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

BILL SMITH TRIED TO DRIVE TRACK ROADSTERS IN THE LATE 40s FOUND OUT HE WAS BETTER SELLING TOASTERS :5::8: AND IF SOMEONE SAYS CAMERA SPEEDY THERE!:5::6::8:

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

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.

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"
 

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"
 

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 ----------


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"
 

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 ----------

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

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

You guys are forgetting Steve Stapp he help the record for most USAC wins until Hoffman's passed him if I am not mistaking.

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

we are talking driver wins! Thanks:6:

---------- Post added at 08:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:33 PM ----------

We have a winner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:6::8::9::22:

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

I believe he still holds it to a point. I think he still has the most wins as a car owner that has not done it with multiple generations.

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

thanks! We are taking drivers!

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

How many went to the 1st hulman classic? When abc wide world of sports televised it?