1/24/17 1:10 PM 10-TIME USAC MIDGET WINNER CHUCK WEYANT PASSES AWAY

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10-TIME USAC MIDGET WINNER CHUCK WEYANT PASSES AWAY

Chuck Weyant, a 10-time winner on the USAC National Midget trail and a 2003 National Midget Hall of Fame inductee passed away Monday, January 23.* He was 93 years old.

Hailing from St. Mary’s, Ohio, Weyant made the first of his four Indianapolis 500 starts in 1955, scoring a career-best 12th place finish aboard the Federal Engineering Special.* That very same year, Weyant, a stalwart on the AAA Midget circuit, was victorious in the prestigious “Hut 100” at the Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track.

Weyant, USAC’s oldest surviving National series winner at the time of his death, became the sixth ever feature winner in the USAC National Midget series in April of 1956 when he took the checkered flag at Knoxville, Tennessee’s Broadway Speedway aboard the Johnny Pawl No. 18.

Weyant’s resume includes three AAA wins and numerous USAC National Midget victories in the late 1950s and 60s at Springfield (Ill.) Speedway twice, Illiana Speedway in Schererville, Ind, the Champaign-Urbana (Ill.) Fairgrounds, Fairbury (Ill.) Speedway as well as four indoor victories, including twice at the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Memorial Coliseum and once each at the Cincinnati (Ohio) Gardens and the Chicago (Ill.) Amphitheater.

In a Championship Car career that spanned 11 seasons between 1952 and 1962, Weyant made 18 starts, the first of which coming at the Du Quoin (Ill.) State Fairgrounds in September of ‘52.* Weyant made three additional Indianapolis 500 starts after his rookie performance in 1955, qualifying for three-straight runnings at the Brickyard in 1957, 1958 and 1959.

USAC extends its condolences to the Weyant family.

A local legend here in the Springfield area. Rest in Peace.

What a great guy Chuck was. He was so humble and always quick with a smile and made everyone around him feel comfortable. He will be missed. Condolences to Lorry, Tony, Jackie, Stoogie and the entire Weyant family. Godspeed Chuck

Bill & Susie Taylor

Here is his obituary:

Charles W. “Chuck” Weyant, 93, of Springfield passed away on Monday, January 23, 2017 at his residence.

Chuck was born on April 3, 1923 in Celina, OH the son of the late Abner M. and Grace L. Weyant. He married Lorraine Leigh on October 31, 1959 in Springfield.

Chuck was a member of Third Presbyterian Church. He served during WWII as a member of the Army Air Force stationed in England and France.

He was a retired member of Sheet Metal Workers Local 218, a member of Springfield Sports Hall of Fame, Indy 500 Old Timers Club and the Midget Racing Hall of Fame.

During a career that spanned forty years, he drove in the Indianapolis 500 four times and drove USAC Silver Crown and sprint cars, but was most successful and well known driving midget race cars.

Chuck owned several bars in Springfield, but the most popular and the place to be on a Friday and Saturday night was Chuck Weyant’s Holiday Inn on Peoria Road.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Debra Weyant, Virginia Weyant and Lillian Kunz.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Lorry; son, Tony (Dawna) of Sherman; daughter, Jackie (Don) Jordan of Williamsville; grandson, Evan Weyant; granddaughters, Rachel (Omar) Ramiro and Erica Jordan; great grandson, Mason Ramiro; brother, Gene Weyant of Springfield; sisters, Vernople (Ronald) Castleman and JoAnn Russell both of Springfield; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 27, 2017 at Third Presbyterian Church, 1030 N. 7th St. Springfield, with Rev. Dr. Joseph Eby officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Third Presbyterian Church Building Fund.

There's still time to send flowers to the Visitation at the Third Presbyterian Church from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM on January 27, 2017.

http://www.parkfuneralhomesinc.com/n...Charles-Weyant