The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

I have to admit that I didn't know this about WoO sprint car racing. :14:

The longest WoO race was held at Paragon Speedway, Indiana in 1978 - a 150 lapper. :18:

The winner was - Steve Kinser :31:

Info source: World of Outlaws Yearbook - 1986, pgs. 59 & 64.

Have a good day...see you at the races

Rich - Arnold, Missouri

NOTE: If any IOW reader was at Paragon Speedway for that WoO race in 1978, I would surely like to get your input on it - thanks.

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

I thought they said the Iron Man 55 this year was the longest race ever run by WoO:11:

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

I wonder how many Red Flag Fuel stops that would require today!:11:;)

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

DIRT-TRACK-JUNKIE - I also thought the Ironman 55 was the longest WoO race. Until, I came across this WoO 150 lapper at Paragon Speedway, Indiana which as I said before I wasn't aware of. I read this in the 1986 WoO Yearbook which grabbed my attention. I have no other info on this race or how it was run. Therefore, it brought me to the IOW site asking if anyone was at Paragon for this race and might have any further info.

itsanonwingthing - I agree, it would only seem to me that the race would have been run in segments, fuel stops being one reason. But, I look at the little 500 and from what I have seen there are only 2 mandatory pit stops. And yes, one is dirt and one is asphalt, the track sizes are different, and a host of other reasons, etc.

They raced the USAC sprints at Oswego Speedway in 1966 for 100 laps on the 5/8th's so I guess the sprint cars can go for a long while.

If any sprint car owner, crewman, or driver has any info or comments on the above subject matters please pass it along - thanks.

Have a good day...see you at the races

Rich - Arnold, Missouri

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

Originally Posted by itsanonwingthing:
I wonder how many Red Flag Fuel stops that would require today!:11:;)

That was the first thing I thought of too. WoO doesn't seem to think you can go over 30 so that comes out to 5.

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

Sprint car races use to run much longer distances, USAC used to run 100 lappers all the time. With a large tank and no wings, like alot of early WoO shows were it wouldn't be that hard to run a 150 lapper on that small of a track, would have been less than 50 miles total plus the engines didn't use as much fuel back then and tires were alot harder, lasting several races instead of a few laps. A sprint car can STILL run alot of laps even today, look at the Little 500 for an example, 500 laps with 2 pitstops means you need to run up to 200 laps nonstop. CAN be done with bigger tanks, harder tires etc.

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

The guy you need to talk to is Keith Ford, He can tell you about the fuel because the best i can remember on that night Dick Gaines drove his #22 We were all say'in that night that we would now know if that thing could run or not! I think Mr Gaines got it up to 4th place!!! And that car had a Big Block Chevy in it.
I heard that dick and karl had a little disagreement that night is the reason steve took over as the driver.
I was'nt to old back then but i remember it was a heck of a race, I'm sure if i'm wrong somebody will let me know. So when i see people come on here talk'in down paragon and say'in stuff about(Real Race Cars):10: I have to laugh my rear off ,If they would have seen some of the race's & Driver's that have been up there over the year's they would have a different take on the place, I'm just glad i got to see them. :32:

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

Originally Posted by cantc4mud:
The guy you need to talk to is Keith Ford, He can tell you about the fuel because the best i can remember on that night Dick Gaines drove his #22 We were all say'in that night that we would now know if that thing could run or not! I think Mr Gaines got it up to 4th place!!! And that car had a Big Block Chevy in it.
I heard that dick and karl had a little disagreement that night is the reason steve took over as the driver.
I was'nt to old back then but i remember it was a heck of a race, I'm sure if i'm wrong somebody will let me know. So when i see people come on here talk'in down paragon and say'in stuff about(Real Race Cars):10: I have to laugh my rear off ,If they would have seen some of the race's & Driver's that have been up there over the year's they would have a different take on the place, I'm just glad i got to see them. :32:

Dick Gaines got injured at Champaign Motor Speedway in the fall of 1977 driving Karls #11, so I doubt it was Dick in the car in 1978 for this race. Larry Miller finished the 77 year out in place of Dick, then Steve taking over when we headed south for that first race in 1978 at Devils Bowl. So there was no disagreement that led to Steve being hired. There are countless interviews with Steve over the years where he discusses Karl asking him to drive for him to get the exact details, but before the 1st WoO race at Devils bowl, we were in Florida for what I think was the last Rocky Fisher promoted fiasco, and Steve was driving a #86 for Mark Todd, who was a regular at Paragon in 77.
I remember that race in 78 though being long, and the pit area was crowded. And I got bumped off the back stretch by Alan Barr in the B main for a transfer spot. Also it seemed Chuck Amati ran tough that day.

Steve Thomas

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

Originally Posted by Midwest Connection:
DIRT-TRACK-JUNKIE - I also thought the Ironman 55 was the longest WoO race. Until, I came across this WoO 150 lapper at Paragon Speedway, Indiana which as I said before I wasn't aware of. I read this in the 1986 WoO Yearbook which grabbed my attention. I have no other info on this race or how it was run. Therefore, it brought me to the IOW site asking if anyone was at Paragon for this race and might have any further info.

itsanonwingthing - I agree, it would only seem to me that the race would have been run in segments, fuel stops being one reason. But, I look at the little 500 and from what I have seen there are only 2 mandatory pit stops. And yes, one is dirt and one is asphalt, the track sizes are different, and a host of other reasons, etc.

They raced the USAC sprints at Oswego Speedway in 1966 for 100 laps on the 5/8th's so I guess the sprint cars can go for a long while.

If any sprint car owner, crewman, or driver has any info or comments on the above subject matters please pass it along - thanks.

Have a good day...see you at the races

Rich - Arnold, Missouri

They ran it straight through. Some guys would put on BIG tanks just for this race. Some teams elected to make pit stops - which brought to mind the cliche about Ferrari pit stops and Chinese fire drills. Some guys ran until the fuel was gone, parked it and went home.

The race originated as the Midwest Supermodified Championship and later became the Ed Shepherd Memorial Race in honor of the builder and original promoter of Paragon. In its time the race attracted the best local and regional drivers.

I'm not sure - maybe Mr. Ford could shed some light on this one - but this race may have carried a WOO sanction more than just the one time in 1978.

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

Bruce Walkup won a 200 lapper at Ascot in 1966! :6:

http://www.openwheeltimes.com/owt_results.asp?ID=104128

:22:

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

My records show that I attended a WoO race at Paragon on Sept. 2, 1978. I had forgotten that it was a WoO race. I remember that it was a 150 lapper and that was my first trip to Paragon. I seem to recall a rather large fire in the pits during a refueling stop. I believe the driver involved was Mike Waltz and just a short time later he was fatally injured at Bloomington.

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

Its not a WOO race but i was going through some old videos of my grandpa's this week and found a video of a 100 lap mike johnson memorial race that he won in 1990. Grandpa lapped the whole field several times.

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

Originally Posted by ronmil:
My records show that I attended a WoO race at Paragon on Sept. 2, 1978. I had forgotten that it was a WoO race. I remember that it was a 150 lapper and that was my first trip to Paragon. I seem to recall a rather large fire in the pits during a refueling stop. I believe the driver involved was Mike Waltz and just a short time later he was fatally injured at Bloomington.

This was an unfortunate situation. When the car caught fire during a pit stop it burned/deteriorated the stitching in the seat belts which gave way when he flipped the car a short time later.:13:

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

The waltz car was beautiful, sorta looked like Pancho's car. The fire was right n front of me. They pulled out the quick fill can too quick, and whooom, in a ball of flame. He got killed very shortly after the 150 lapper.

I remember Butch Wilkerson leading one of the 150's one year in a Seibert car, then the bird cage broke. If it hadn't, nobody would have beat Butch.

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

I do not recall the 150 laper at Paragon being a WoO event?
I was there, and it may have been a WoO show, but that does not stand out in my memory.

Mike Waltz

I will not speculate about the death of Mike Waltz. I will only say, I was there, and it was a tragedy beyond description, and that it nearly caused a good friend of Mike's to hang his helmet up that night, right then and right there. I was a gopher for a well known local driver and very close friend of Mike's, we were sitting in the qualifying line waiting to go out, when the accident happened, the car nearly landing right in front of us.

At that time the pits were just off of turn one, Mike's accident happened as he went into turn one, when the right rear tire blew digging the rim into the dirt and vaulting him off of turn one.

It was a devastating loss to the local racing community. Mike was very well liked and he was one hell of a chauffeur too.
He is still missed greatly by his family and his friends to this day. A tragedy that I will sadly never forget.

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

Originally Posted by Panama:
I do not recall the 150 laper at Paragon being a WoO event?
I was there, and it may have been a WoO show, but that does not stand out in my memory.

Mike Waltz

I will not speculate about the death of Mike Waltz. I will only say, I was there, and it was a tragedy beyond description, and that it nearly caused a good friend of Mike's to hang his helmet up that night, right then and right there. I was a gopher for a well known local driver and very close friend of Mike's, we were sitting in the qualifying line waiting to go out, when the accident happened, the car nearly landing right in front of us.

At that time the pits were just off of turn one, Mike's accident happened as he went into turn one, when the right rear tire blew digging the rim into the dirt and vaulting him off of turn one.

It was a devastating loss to the local racing community. Mike was very well liked and he was one hell of a chauffeur too.
He is still missed greatly by his family and his friends to this day. A tragedy that I will sadly never forget.

I can't say that I remember that particular race, but the mention of the loss of Mike Waltz did put a chill in me. Having grown up spending many of my Saturday nights at Paragon, I remember when Mike came along. It was like 1970 or 1971 (that would have made me either 6 or 7). He was a really good driver, right out of the box. A serious competitor, almost from the get go. And I remember my uncle saying that Mike was enough of a pro, even at a young age, that he had earned the respect of most of the older drivers. And in those days, that was really saying something. I think he drove a real nice looking dark blue or black #2 (I'm not 100% certain on the color), was a always a fast qualifier, who liked a lower line at Paragon. One thing I do remember clearly though, is he was always a nice guy, when you met him in the pits. I wasn't at Bloomington the night he was lost and really I'm glad I wasn't, either. Because it was tough enough just hearing that this had happened. Hopefully, he'll never be forgotten. And who knows how great he might have turned out to be, had he not been taken early.

Jerry

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

Originally Posted by amati:
Its not a WOO race but i was going through some old videos of my grandpa's this week and found a video of a 100 lap mike johnson memorial race that he won in 1990. Grandpa lapped the whole field several times.

I know this is a stretch... but can you tell who the top 5 were from the film ? Dad claims they ran third with Bob Thoman holding the steering box in with his knee . The left side steering box mount broke off and Bob ran about 75 laps with his knee against the tube. That`s old school racing there . :9::9::9:

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

The National Open At Williams Grove was 75 laps for years until the WoO took it over.

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

I thought leaving Chico's race of Champions, Gold Cups at 2am Thursday nights would be it.
Joe

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

Originally Posted by HurstBros0:
I know this is a stretch... but can you tell who the top 5 were from the film ? Dad claims they ran third with Bob Thoman holding the steering box in with his knee . The left side steering box mount broke off and Bob ran about 75 laps with his knee against the tube. That`s old school racing there . :9::9::9:

I havent got the VCR hooked up yet to watch it, Alex Shanks took it home last week and watched it... i'll ask him and see. I think he said Gary Hayhurst ran second.

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

1978 150 lapper was a WOo event, I ran 9th was ran straight thru,driver & WOo officals did not know it was 150 laps until they arrived at track, lot of upset people, Harry Redkey owned track in 1978

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

Originally Posted by racephoto1:
The waltz car was beautiful, sorta looked like Pancho's car. The fire was right n front of me. They pulled out the quick fill can too quick, and whooom, in a ball of flame. He got killed very shortly after the 150 lapper.

I remember Butch Wilkerson leading one of the 150's one year in a Seibert car, then the bird cage broke. If it hadn't, nobody would have beat Butch.

This is Butch I broke driving the Siebert Olds car at the LIL 500 in 1979 after leading 144 laps, broke a right rear tortion bar, not the Paragon 150's, but did lead some 150s in Karl Kinsers and Jerry Rones cars but never won one.
Butch1

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

Good evening everyone.

I am a longtime reader, first time poster. As not to derail this topic, I started another topic in the same light - as I think the old timers or racing historians will find it interesting.

Link - https://www.indianaopenwheel.com/sho...387#post134387

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

Originally Posted by Jerry Shaw:
I can't say that I remember that particular race, but the mention of the loss of Mike Waltz did put a chill in me. Having grown up spending many of my Saturday nights at Paragon, I remember when Mike came along. It was like 1970 or 1971 (that would have made me either 6 or 7). He was a really good driver, right out of the box. A serious competitor, almost from the get go. And I remember my uncle saying that Mike was enough of a pro, even at a young age, that he had earned the respect of most of the older drivers. And in those days, that was really saying something. I think he drove a real nice looking dark blue or black #2 (I'm not 100% certain on the color), was a always a fast qualifier, who liked a lower line at Paragon. One thing I do remember clearly though, is he was always a nice guy, when you met him in the pits. I wasn't at Bloomington the night he was lost and really I'm glad I wasn't, either. Because it was tough enough just hearing that this had happened. Hopefully, he'll never be forgotten. And who knows how great he might have turned out to be, had he not been taken early.

Jerry

We were running that night. I remember the cage collasped. That was when some of the car builders were using thin wall tubing. I think Calivn Gilstrap was fatially injured that same year. that was between turns 3 and 4 . That was a bad year.

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

Originally Posted by Mac man:
We were running that night. I remember the cage collasped. That was when some of the car builders were using thin wall tubing. I think Calivn Gilstrap was fatially injured that same year. that was between turns 3 and 4 . That was a bad year.

I think Gilstrap was killed in '76. Could be wrong.

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

Originally Posted by racephoto1:
The waltz car was beautiful, sorta looked like Pancho's car. The fire was right n front of me. They pulled out the quick fill can too quick, and whooom, in a ball of flame. He got killed very shortly after the 150 lapper.

I remember Butch Wilkerson leading one of the 150's one year in a Seibert car, then the bird cage broke. If it hadn't, nobody would have beat Butch.

I never drove Seibert car at Paragon it was Little 500 I led it untill r r torsion slipped. I dont remember WOO 150lapper at Paragon either, Butch Wilkerson#1:22::22::32::32:

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

Originally Posted by Fisher79:
I think Gilstrap was killed in '76. Could be wrong.

You are right. It was 1976 that we lost Calvin Gilstrap.

---------- Post added at 12:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:57 AM ----------

If I remember correctly, Calvin was subbing for Butch Wilkerson in the Cecil Beavers machine when he was fatally injured.

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

Originally Posted by racephoto1:
The waltz car was beautiful, sorta looked like Pancho's car. The fire was right n front of me. They pulled out the quick fill can too quick, and whooom, in a ball of flame. He got killed very shortly after the 150 lapper.

I remember Butch Wilkerson leading one of the 150's one year in a Seibert car, then the bird cage broke. If it hadn't, nobody would have beat Butch.

I drove seibert car at lil 500 in 1979 only lead that 144 laps rr bar fell out. Butch Wilkerson#1:22::22::8::32:

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

I was told about this post tonight while attending USAC race @ THAT, I am on here regularly, but had not read this post. I married into the Waltz family after Mike was killed, but wanted to let you all know, it is nice people still remember him. Thanks for your comments.

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

Yeah! Dad never realy talked about mike getting killed ethier, even after all these years,B ut I under stand it to it being his brother and all. I suprized dad even thought about letting me in one after that, But he did! I've always heard that mike was one of the great ones that was just taking from the sport early in his career, Dad said that grandpa "JIM" never went back after that, I dont even think he ame to watch me run one time, but he always told me to "STAND ON THE GAS DARWN IT" he said the othe word of coase. Sometimes i just wonder what if he was still here how would've it been great for my sprinting days. "WE" THE WALTZ FAMlILY realy do miss mike, dad and I were just talking bout him two fridays ago cause its been 31yrs this month that he left us, I was only months old, but they always say the good die young i guess. But any how were gonna try it again 2010 season, some say I'm to old but i say "U NO WHAT THEM" I'm gonna try any how.

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

Summer of '74 Mike Waltz was working for Taylor Plumbing (Bob,Jack) in Bloomington. This shop was a big supporter of racing. Mike started his apprenticeship program that fall. I used to drive Mike to Kokomo to catch sprint rides. Mike was raised around racing and the old timers watched him grow up. Mike didn't need power steering for he was tough as nails. Had he been born in Montana he'd been a bull rider. Engineer boots, bluejeans and flannel shirts seven days a week. A lot of folks 'round here miss that guy! RIP Mike

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

What about the Eldora 500 sprint car races! I'm not sure how many Earl ran but I know Phil Miller told me he ran for Dave Hurst in one of those races and he may have had a relief driver too.

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

Sorry guys the belts in the car were brand new after the fire at Paragon and he hit a rut in turn 1 running flat out,they never gave the time but I had him at a new track record.His death was hard on a lot of us as we were very close to his family. The only damage to the car that horrible night was minor stuff but we took it away because the fuel tank was leaking and a lot of people was walking around it smoking. The wreck happened the night after Pargon at a rare Labor Day Race at Bloomington.

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

Originally Posted by treecitytornado:
What about the Eldora 500 sprint car races! I'm not sure how many Earl ran but I know Phil Miller told me he ran for Dave Hurst in one of those races and he may have had a relief driver too.

Earl ran the 500 lap sprint car races in 1965, 66, and 67.

As a young boy around 13 I helped Mike take the seat belts out of the Irwin and Rachel Cooper #79 car so he could use them in the Harold Myers car. Since my dad drove for Jim I had known the entire family since I was very young. Words cannot do justice to the way I felt to have witnessed someone getting killed let alone someone I knew as a kind person. I will never forget dad saying I can't race tonight even though we need the money it wouldn't be rite. Our family along with many other racers loaded up and left after Mikes accident to console his family. This was the night Kerry Norris won his first sprint car race driving the 5N for his mom and dad.

Tim Wilkerson

Re: The longest WoO sprint car race - Paragon Speedway, Indiana
 

Originally Posted by racerdog45:
sprint car races use to run much longer distances, usac used to run 100 lappers all the time. With a large tank and no wings, like alot of early woo shows were it wouldn't be that hard to run a 150 lapper on that small of a track, would have been less than 50 miles total plus the engines didn't use as much fuel back then and tires were alot harder, lasting several races instead of a few laps. A sprint car can still run alot of laps even today, look at the little 500 for an example, 500 laps with 2 pitstops means you need to run up to 200 laps nonstop. Can be done with bigger tanks, harder tires etc.

when we ran 100 laps on a half mile in usac there where 305 ci. Engines! And we raced 100 mile midgets races! With 15 gallon tanks! The little 500 is a 125 mile race! And not on the gas very long!!!!!!!!!!! With 410ci. Engines today your lucky to run 20 miles on a half!!!!!!!!!:14::15: