Jan Opperman passed away 14 years ago 9-4-97
 

Jan Opperman passed away 14 years ago on 9-4-97

It's hard to believe that it's been 14 years since Opp passed away. Even harder to believe that it's been 30 years since his crash in a sprint car at Jennerstown, Pa. in 1981. He had a bad wreck in a dirt champ car in 1976 at the Indianapolis Fairgrounds mile and was just getting back into good racing form when he had the crash at Jennerstown.

Here's an interesting story about him:

http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/fo...p?db=ct&n=3562

Re: Jan Opperman passed away 14 years ago 9-4
 

Re: Jan Opperman passed away 14 years ago 9-4
 

RIP Jan.Your presence and talent has never been replaced!:9::9::99::

Re: Jan Opperman passed away 14 years ago 9-4
 

Jan in victory lane from the year 1974.

Re: Jan Opperman passed away 14 years ago 9-4
 

My favorite ever, I was lucky as a kid to have experienced him. There could never be anouther, it's literally impossible today. :22: p.s. his parents who took care of him around the clock for years were affectionally known as mup and fup, me and all my buddies started calling my parents that.

Re: Jan Opperman passed away 14 years ago 9-4
 

There will never be another Opp!
Maybe my favorite picture of him, sitting on the wall at Eldora with a very young Steve Kinser.

R.I.P. Jan Opperman

http://www.coastal181.com/2009_Bits/400-photos897.jpg

Re: Jan Opperman passed away 14 years ago 9-4
 

excellent tribute to a great racer and an even greater person!

Re: Jan Opperman passed away 14 years ago 9-4
 

God bless.

Re: Jan Opperman passed away 14 years ago 9-4
 

Jan Opperman has been greatly missed. Hard to
believe it's been 14 years.
Best Regards,
John

Re: Jan Opperman passed away 14 years ago 9-4
 

Had the privilege of seeing him race several times. I especially remember his drive in the 1974 Tony Hulman Classic. An amazing natural talent.

God Speed Jan! Wish I would have got to see you run before it all ended at Jennerstown.
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Re: Jan Opperman passed away 14 years ago 9-4
 

I was present as a 12 year old kid the day Jan was critically hurt at the Hoosier Hundred.
A few years later, as a teenager, I was at Eldora Speedway and Jan was there in the Vetzel "Team Jesus" car. As I walked around the front of the haulers, I came upon Jan sitting indian-style on the ground all by himself. It kind of startled me and must have been evident by my reaction. Jan looks at me and smiles and says "hey man I'm doin' a little prayin', you wanna join me?" So I did. I don't remember what he (we) prayed about; truth is, I didn't know too much about prayin' back then.

I remember there were many people who were mocking Jan that evening about his "Jesus sponsorship" ... making fun and all. I remember that their mocking didn't set well with me.
Years later, I would race sprint cars at Eldora Speedway; my top wing had the words "KNOW JESUS" adorn the side boards. I got mocked a little, too.
Looking back, I think I probably learned more sitting on the dirt floor of that pit area at Eldora Speedway that night than any other night at a race track.
I know a lot more about prayin' these days; it has come in handy many, many times.
Thank you, Mr. Opperman.
... and as your dash stated in the Vetzel #31 that night at Eldora ... "Praise the Lord, and pass the competition!":22: