ISF (Offline)
#10
6/19/25 10:17 AM
Originally Posted by miledirt:
that Swindell lap at Springfield, 410 winged car I assume, with the WoO? That speed is crazy
I was fortunate enough to watch Sammy set that record back in June of 1998. You're correct, it was a WoO's 410 winged sprint car. The engine blew during hot laps and Sammy had to change engines between practice and qualifying. IIRC they announced on the PA that there was an Illinois State Trooper with a radar gun in turn #3 and the corner entry speeds were approaching 170 MPH. Karl Kinser refused to bring a car to Springfield for this event. He said it wasn't safe and they should not be racing at Springfield.
Although it has never been confirmed official, Sammy's qualifying lap at Springfield is believed to be the fastest lap ever turned on a dirt track.
Silver Crown Championship Dirt Cars properly driven on a one mile dirt track are classic poetry in motion. Using that analogy, Jack Hewitt is one of the greatest poets of all time.