Jim Imholte's Death
 

To Our Indiana Openwheel Pal Jim Imholte


I know many of you outside of the Southwestern Ohio/Southeastern Indiana area may not know Jim Imholte but, he was a major part of racing history in this area. Jim passed away, suddenly, Tuesday night February 5, 2008 at his winter residence in Miami Beach. He worked as a flagman, scorer and pit steward at both Lawrenceburg and Florence Speedways throughout the 1960's, 70's and 80's. Jim also worked as a crewman for many racers originating in the Sayler Park and Cincinnati, OH area, including teams with Ross Smith, Pat Patrick, Big Bill Osborn, Tom Soudrette, Tommy Mattlin, Jim Bob Luebbert and many others over the years. During his time living in upstate New York, Jim also worked on a road racing team. Racing and being a great and dependable friend and father, was Jim's life. For the last three years, I have been flying down to Miami Beach to hang with Jim for a few days on the beach and then, we would drive up to Tampa (East Bay) together for a few days and enjoy the sprint car races. We had a great time together during those visits. However, due to the fact that the non-wing sprinters were canceled at East Bay and coupled with our problems this past year with two crashed race cars, I opted not to go down and visit Jim this year. I regret that now. Had things been normal, I would've been down there at the time of his death to at least be in his company and hold his hand as he passed. For those of you who knew Jim, you understand the loss to the racing community. Jim loved to work at the tracks. He loved to come down in the pits and mingle with the drivers, car owners and crew members. He had a kind word for everyone and was more than willing to pick up a wheel wrench and help out if he saw you thrashing on a race car. He just loved being around it. He loved all types of racing from pinewood derby to the sprinters to Indy cars to Nascar. If it had wheels on it and you could race it, he'd be there to either watch, or help out any way he could. He was simply a racer. When he wasn't in the pits, Jim could always be found about ten rows up from the flagstand at Lawrenceburg Speedway every Saturday night. He would get there early and tape down his blankets to save seats for our friends and families, so we could sit together and root for my son, Brad. Jim was Brad's biggest fan. On Fridays, Sundays and other nights, you could find Jim in the Stands with friends Keith Wendel and Tim Caldwell at many of the regions race tracks such as Gas City, Eldora, KC, Bloomington, Terre Haute, Kokomo and many others. Late Models, Sprinters, street stocks, whatever, Jim loved'em all! To those of you who didn't know Jim, I will simply ask you to say a prayer for his soul and his loving family, who will miss him enormously! May God Bless a prince of a gentleman and one of the TRUE race fans of this generation, JIM IMHOLTE. To know him is to love him. Jim's name on IOW was Imzie. I will truly miss you my friend!!!!!! Craig Stevens

Re: Jim Imholte's Death
 

Craig, I can

Re: Jim Imholte's Death
 

Thank you, Cecil, for your kind words. And thank you, to all who remember "Imzie" fondly. My condolences to the Caldwell family as well. I was able to talk to dad Monday night about how he was looking forward to the upcoming season. Going to the "New" Burg and going to as many USAC shows he could make it to. Even though he won't be there in body, he'll be there in spirit. Words can't describe his passion for racing. But, many a racer and fan alike understand it. Again, thank you all for your thoughts and prayers, Dad will be missed............................................ ......................Imzie's youngest son, Ross

Re: Jim Imholte's Death
 

Ross, if I can do anything to make this easier for you and your family, just call me. I'm really struggling with the thought of your dad not being there in section E on opening night and every Saturday night thereafter at the NEW L'Burg. I already have an empty feeling in my stomach. It just won't be the same. Craig

Re: Jim Imholte's Death
 

Thoughts and prayers with the Imholte family he will be missed.:checkered:

Re: Jim Imholte's Death
 

Terrible news. Racing has lost a huge supporter and a heck of a guy. Keep us posted on when services will be held.

Re: Jim Imholte's Death
 

I will post the arrangements as soon as I know, fifthwheel. Thanks.

Re: Jim Imholte's Death
 

Originally Posted by cecil98:
I know many of you outside of the Southwestern Ohio/Southeastern Indiana area may not know Jim Imholte but, he was a major part of racing history in this area. Jim passed away, suddenly, last night at his winter residence in Miami Beach. He worked as a flagman, scorer and pit steward at both Lawrenceburg and Florence Speedways throughout the 1960's-80's. Jim also worked as a crewman for many racers originating in the Sayler Park (Cincinnati, OH) area, including teams with Ross Smith, Pat Patrick, Big Bill Osborn, Tom Soudrette, Tommy Mattlin, Jim Bob Luebbert and many others over the years. Jim also worked on a road racing team during his time living in upstate New York. Racing and being a great and dependable friend and father, was Jim's life. For the last three years, I would fly down to Miami Beach to hang with Jim for a few days on the beach and then, we would drive up to Tampa (East Bay) together and enjoy the sprinters. We had a great time together during those times. Due to the fact that the non-wing sprinters were cancalled at East Bay, coupled with our problems (tearing up two cars!) this past year, I opted not to go down and visit Jim this year. I regret that now. Had things been normal, I would've been down there at this moment to at least be in his company and hold his hand as he passed. For those of you who knew Jim, you understand the loss to the racing community. Jim loved to come down in the pits and mingle with the drivers, car owners and crew members. He had a kind word for everyone and was more than willing to pick up a wheel wrench and help out if he saw you thrashing on a race car. He just loved being around it. He loved all types of racing from pinewood derby to the sprinters to Indy cars to Nascar. If you could race it, he'd be there to watch or help. He was simply a racer. To those of you who didn't know Jim, I will simply ask you to say a prayer for his soul and his loving family, who will miss him enormously! When he wasn't in the pits, Jim could always be found about ten rows up from the flagstand at Lawrenceburg Speedway every Saturday night. On Fridays, Sundays and other nights, you could find Jim in the Stands of Gas City, Eldora, KC, Bloomington, Terre Haute, North Vernon, Kokomo and Tri-State Speedways. Late Models, Sprinters, whatever, Jim loved'em all! May God Bless one of the TRUE race fans of this generation, JIM IMHOLTE. To know him is to love him. Jim's name on IOW was Imzie. I will truely miss you my friend!!!!!! Craig Stevens

What a shock. Jim was good freind.Was looking forward to seeing him at the garage every week or at the race track. Jim and I worked for same Company, we talked a lot about that. R.I.P.IMZIE The family has my sympothy. Steve Day

Re: Jim Imholte's Death
 

May Imzie RIP.:crying:

Re: Jim Imholte's Death
 

Thanks Cecil, Ross and Keith for the info. I knew him for a much shorter time than you guys and I can say my life is richer because of it.

R.I.P Guys. You will be missed.
Chuck

Re: Jim Imholte's Death
 

For those of you who knew Jim Imholte and are in the area:

Visitation is from 5:00 to 8:00PM Monday Feb. 11

Nurre Mihovk Rosenacker Funeral Home
10211 Plainfield Rd. Cincinnati. Ohio 45241

for directions to the visitation call or go the the web site:
(513)385-0511
http://www.nmrfh.com

Funeral is at 11:00 am Tuesday Feb. 12
at St Monica St George Church in Clifton (Cincinnati OH)

Buriel will be at St. Joseph's Cemetary following

Obituary will be in Sunday's Cincinnati Enquirer

Re: Jim Imholte's Death
 

Craig, Are those dates wrong or are the days wrong,
Thanks, Dave

Re: Jim Imholte's Death
 

This is a double hit. Imzie was on occasion the first guy I'd see at the 'burg after I walked in. A great guy who let Keith and Tim hang around him. He was fun to talk with, an educator in racing history.

I can't recall Tim's dad when he raced, but feel awful for Tim and his family. Though the passing had been expected, the loss is just as real and painful. Tim is a treasured friend and I hope and pray he can deal with this.

May both of these racers rest in peace and perhaps join the bench racing crowd in a better place.

:checkered:

Re: Jim Imholte's Death
 

The Litchfield family would like to express their deepest sympathy to the Imholte family.Your family will be in our prayers.

"But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings..."

Re: Jim Imholte's Death
 

Imzie will be deeply missed. I enjoyed hearing the many stories that him and my dad told through out the last few years. If there is anything we can do just pm me and I will pass it on to dad.


Dave Cook

Re: Jim Imholte's Death
 

Sorry! The dates I supplied were incorrect. It "is" this coming Monday and Tuesday but it's Feb 11 and Feb 12 (not 7th and 8th). It has been corrected in the post with that information. Thanks for pointing that out, Dave R!

Re: Jim Imholte's Death
 

Tim (Caldwell), I didn't mean to ignore the passing of your father on this thread. I'm truely sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in our prayers. I look forward to seeing you at the track this season and maybe going on a couple of racing journeys with you and keith! Craig

Re: Jim Imholte's Death
 

This is "Imzie's" oldest son, Jim Jr. Thank you Craig Stevens for your kind and heartfelt words. Thanks to everyone for your prayers and support. I never really knew how much of a difference dad made in other peoples lives. I knew that he had friends in the racing world, but now I know that everyone was more than just a friend, but were a family. I think you all saw him more than we did, hehe....
Dad may be gone from here, but he will never be forgotten. Again, Thank You all very much....... Jim Jr.

Re: Jim Imholte's Death
 

Jim will be greatly missed by many. I was really looking forward to seeing him at the Burg this season.
RIP Jim.

Re: Jim Imholte's Death
 

The entire staff of Lawrenceburg Speedway will truely miss Jim Imholte and Tim Caldwell. I myself was not able to get to know these fine gentlemen in my short reign at Lawrenceburg. I do know for fact that many fans, drivers and employees of Lawrenceburg Speedway had the utmost respect for both of these gentlemen. They will both be sadly missed but never forgotten.
God bless, Dave Rudisell