Question for history buffs.

Longtime sprinter · 8/4/14, 11:52 PM

Was talking with a freind about how sprint car drivers are starting so young, and how it doesn't seem there are as many old guys drivin. Brought up some interesting questions. 1. Who was the oldest sprint car driver to drive competitively, and how old was he? 2. Who is the oldest driver currently driving, and how old is he? 3. This one is for any drivers, or former drivers, What would be the hardest things to overcome with being older, vision, back pain, reflexes, having to stop to pee? (Last one was intended as a funny) Would like to here some feedback, cuz there is a bud light involved somewhere.

AustinSprinter · 8/5/14, 12:37 AM

Must be a few...only one comes to mind at the moment....Steves Dad Bob Kinser !!..believe his car # was 65,and mita been his age at that time also......
__________
Brucer'

WinglessFAN · 8/5/14, 1:17 AM

In central pa there is a driver that goes by Cowboy Jim Kennedy who has to be in his late 70's and races winged 305. Added bonus is when he wins he has a victory lane trademark of yodeling..PRICELESS!!! He did won a race within the last yr @ Clinton county.

dirt in ur beer · 8/5/14, 8:06 AM

Some guy running with the WAR series that's in his 70s can't remember his name. And they may not have to stop n pee but probably have a helluva time remembering where they parked the trailer! Joke .....

jjones752 · 8/5/14, 8:13 AM

"Ralphie the Racer" Ligouri ran for a long time, Joe could probably verify the age he last competed. At Ventura, the younger Douglas (can't bring up their first names right now) started running in the Senior Division. His father enrolled in Corey Kruseman's Sprint Car School (I think he was in his 80's) got hooked and joined his son.

joesprint33 · 8/5/14, 8:17 AM

Had the honor of racing against the 76 year old Ray Bugg earlier this year. Unfortunately Ray got hurt in a crash at 411 speedway in Tennessee, and may be done racing. Also raced a couple of weeks ago against a 70 + year old Dave Thorman (not exactly sure how old Dave is). Also my Dad, Len Larkin is still racing at 68. He's won several heat races this year at Creek County Speedway in OK.

PAW · 8/5/14, 8:23 AM

Johnny Johnson? Really old.

davidm · 8/5/14, 8:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WinglessFAN

In central pa there is a driver that goes by Cowboy Jim Kennedy who has to be in his late 70's and races winged 305. Added bonus is when he wins he has a victory lane trademark of yodeling..PRICELESS!!! He did won a race within the last yr @ Clinton county.

Cowboy Jim Kennedy is either 79 or 80 now and did win a 305 Sprint race at Clinton County back in June of this year.

Cowboy Jim at the Grove.

oldfan49 · 8/5/14, 8:53 AM

Bob Thoman is still running up front in non wing sprints at I believe 74 yrs old ( he is the one priviously mentioned as racing with WAR)

dirt in ur beer · 8/5/14, 8:55 AM

Johnny and jay both raced late in yrs

8/5/14, 8:13 AM	#5 Re: Question for history buffs.
jjones752 Senior Member Race Count This Year: 19 Race Count Last Year: 22 Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,259	"Ralphie the Racer" Ligouri ran for a long time, Joe could probably verify the age he last competed. At Ventura, the younger Douglas (can't bring up their first names right now) started running in the Senior Division. His father enrolled in Corey Kruseman's Sprint Car School (I think he was in his 80's) got hooked and joined his son. __________________ Jim Jones Midwest Thunder Speed2 Midget #97

8/5/14, 12:37 AM	#2 Question for History Buffs!!.....
AustinSprinter Senior Member Race Count This Year: (22) Race Count Last Year: (29) Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 4,428	Must be a few...only one comes to mind at the moment....Steves Dad Bob Kinser !!..believe his car # was 65,and mita been his age at that time also...... __________ Brucer'

8/5/14, 1:17 AM	#3
WinglessFAN Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 80	In central pa there is a driver that goes by Cowboy Jim Kennedy who has to be in his late 70's and races winged 305. Added bonus is when he wins he has a victory lane trademark of yodeling..PRICELESS!!! He did won a race within the last yr @ Clinton county.

8/5/14, 8:17 AM	#6 Re: Question for history buffs.
joesprint33 Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 1	Had the honor of racing against the 76 year old Ray Bugg earlier this year. Unfortunately Ray got hurt in a crash at 411 speedway in Tennessee, and may be done racing. Also raced a couple of weeks ago against a 70 + year old Dave Thorman (not exactly sure how old Dave is). Also my Dad, Len Larkin is still racing at 68. He's won several heat races this year at Creek County Speedway in OK.

8/5/14, 8:53 AM	#9 Re: Question for history buffs.
oldfan49 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1,713	Bob Thoman is still running up front in non wing sprints at I believe 74 yrs old ( he is the one priviously mentioned as racing with WAR)

8/5/14, 8:55 AM	#10
dirt in ur beer Banned Race Count This Year: 41 Race Count Last Year: 28 Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 487	Johnny and jay both raced late in yrs