We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw

Jack Dupp · 11/18/08, 2:28 PM

Chuck by Shane Wade's sprinter @ Tri City Speedway (IL) 2007

Sad news this morning (Tue Nov 18, 2008) from Chuck's Grandson Shane Wade.
Chuck died in a car accident, presumably from suffering a stroke or heart attack
while driving.

I will post more information when I can.

Dave

Dave Argabright · 11/18/08, 2:33 PM

Very sad news indeed. Chuck was a friend to many of us, and a man I deeply admired for his high-spirits, enthusiasm, huge passion for racing, and his genuine kindness and good nature.

He's one of my heroes, and I'll never forget him.

11/18/08, 2:41 PM

Seeing Amati wheel the Darryl Tate-wrenched No. 66 in the twilight of his career during the late 80s and early 90s was a revelation for me. He could have been my grandpa, but was still tough as hell.

Sad to hear about this, the good ones never hang around long enough.

riskybrisky5 · 11/18/08, 2:43 PM

RIP Chuck. Thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family. Chuck was my Hero I always looked forward to seeing Chuck at the tracks. Chuck was a great race car driver but most important he was one heck of a person. You will be sadly missed Chuck.

illinisprintfan · 11/18/08, 2:44 PM

I saw him race in California. A great driver and from everything I've seen, a better person. A real loss to the racing community.

interpreter66 · 11/18/08, 2:50 PM

sad to here this new's, i alway's remember him running plant field in februrary during the florida state fair in tampa . i alway's pulled for him ,thank's for the memorie's

Jack Dupp · 11/18/08, 2:57 PM

There are but a few trophies in the small office of his house in Freeman Spur, IL.
He kept the ones with great sentimental value to him. All the rest were autographed
and given to some youngster whose parents brought them to the pits after a race.

Dave

Charles Nungester · 11/18/08, 3:22 PM

Thanks for the memories Chuck, Didn't get to see his early career much but did witness him in the tate ride quite often.

Great guy, we will miss him.

ClaytonYeley · 11/18/08, 3:34 PM

Terrible news, seems like it was just yesterday when my mother and I were talking to him at the last Haubstadt event. He was an extremely nice guy, I never got to see him race but my mom and dad were huge fan of his and I hate to hear about this. RIP Chuck.

1BIGracefan · 11/18/08, 3:41 PM

I got to watch Chuck run alot while I was growing up and he was a joy to see!!! He would always take time for the fans. He WILL be missed greatly!!!

RIP "one arm bandit"

Kyle

11/18/08, 3:22 PM	#8 Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
Charles Nungester Senior Member Race Count This Year: 6 Race Count Last Year: 14 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 22,023	Thanks for the memories Chuck, Didn't get to see his early career much but did witness him in the tate ride quite often. Great guy, we will miss him. __________________ Charles Nungester

11/18/08, 3:34 PM	#9 Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
ClaytonYeley Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 644	Terrible news, seems like it was just yesterday when my mother and I were talking to him at the last Haubstadt event. He was an extremely nice guy, I never got to see him race but my mom and dad were huge fan of his and I hate to hear about this. RIP Chuck. _________________________________________________ Last edited by ClaytonYeley; 11/18/08 at 4:01 PM.

11/18/08, 2:33 PM	#2 Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
Dave Argabright Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 118	Very sad news indeed. Chuck was a friend to many of us, and a man I deeply admired for his high-spirits, enthusiasm, huge passion for racing, and his genuine kindness and good nature. He's one of my heroes, and I'll never forget him.

11/18/08, 2:41 PM	#3 Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
Fisher79 Posts: n/a	Seeing Amati wheel the Darryl Tate-wrenched No. 66 in the twilight of his career during the late 80s and early 90s was a revelation for me. He could have been my grandpa, but was still tough as hell. Sad to hear about this, the good ones never hang around long enough.

11/18/08, 2:43 PM	#4 Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
riskybrisky5 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 284	RIP Chuck. Thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family. Chuck was my Hero I always looked forward to seeing Chuck at the tracks. Chuck was a great race car driver but most important he was one heck of a person. You will be sadly missed Chuck.

11/18/08, 2:44 PM	#5 Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
illinisprintfan Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 884	I saw him race in California. A great driver and from everything I've seen, a better person. A real loss to the racing community.

11/18/08, 2:50 PM	#6 Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
interpreter66 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4,383	sad to here this new's, i alway's remember him running plant field in februrary during the florida state fair in tampa . i alway's pulled for him ,thank's for the memorie's

11/18/08, 2:57 PM	#7 The kind of guy he was...
Jack Dupp Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 333	There are but a few trophies in the small office of his house in Freeman Spur, IL. He kept the ones with great sentimental value to him. All the rest were autographed and given to some youngster whose parents brought them to the pits after a race. Dave

11/18/08, 3:41 PM	#10 Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
1BIGracefan Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,100	I got to watch Chuck run alot while I was growing up and he was a joy to see!!! He would always take time for the fans. He WILL be missed greatly!!! RIP "one arm bandit" Kyle