My brother, Kevin Eckert, in addition to compiling mountains of data, writes columns on his website www.openwheeltimes.com . Often these are an almost impenetrable collection of details and statistics, and some find it daunting to attempt to read it all.
But his column this week is different. It is a genuine case made for National Sprint Car Hall of Fame induction of about ten individuals whose credentials for inclusion are detailed in a paragraph or two each.
It has been suggested of Kev by others (myself included) that he give some time and column space to this particular kind of career recap of the most deserving talents in Sprint Racing, as his almost unparalleled access to the historical data as well as his firsthand remembrances uniquely positions him to evaluate these men.
As a voting member of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame, he has put his vote where his voice is for as many years as the Hall has been in operation. Last year his relentless championing of Lee Osborne's candidacy convinced the opinions of just enough voters who hadn't put Oz on their ballots previously to look again, and Osborne now resides for all time in the Hall, where he belongs.
I consider this article, linkable at http://diversifiedracing.blogspot.com/ to be an especially important one. I hope that a few of the IOW readers who may have a vote in the NSCHoF will find the merits of these candidacies to be adequate for a few of these legends to get inducted while they are still healthy enough to attend the ceremony itself.
I post this entirely on my own. Kev hasn't and wouldn't ever have asked me to. I do so because I also want to see these heroes and special talents given the ultimate acknowledgment of their career achievement.
And the column is a good read.
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Steve Eckert

Excelllent read and I have to second Eckert's appraisal of California's Johnny Anderson and Jimmy Boyd of whom I had the pleasure of witnessing during their many years of winning. Thanks to Mr. Eckert and may your vote (of all mentioned) carry through to induction.

Whenever i read one of eck`s stories it`s like reading a history book....... Enjoy them all...

I guess this means that TripCrown likes the push for Anderson and Boyd better than last year's questioning of Rip Williams.

The only name I would add would be Jack French. The man with the magic wrenches.

All great racers, the observation on Jon Singer was very interesting. I have been to his shop before...alot of history in that little garage in Tipton, MO

Sorry missed that one. Maybe you can enlighten me. Who would question Rip Williams induction? He is an icon in southern California racing. As for Anderson and Boyd they should have been in the hall of fame years ago. ******** no doubt.

I'm honestly not sure if Anderson and Boyd have been bypassed for "********". I literally believe that they have been too easily forgotten in the deluge of guys who have turned 50 and become eligible. There IS a lot of politicking for certain competitors, and manufacturing/promotional people as well, and that plays a hand, but the sport was SO LATE acquiring a Hall of Fame, that too much of the first several years voting needed to be spent putting the obvious names in. This game of Catch-Up has compromised the remembrances of individuals whose careers were un-viewed by too many of the voters. I believe and expect that persuasive and fact/statistic-supported cases made for champions as noteworthy as Boyd and Anderson will get them in soon.
I think one of the cases to be made against Rip is that Boyd and Anderson aren't in yet. (And yet Rip is a first ballot-guy? THAT seems like the definition of new, familiar names getting the nod over more-deserving past talents.) Kev's case against Rip boiled down to the total lack of success he had when he strayed anywhere outside of his wheelhouse, though that same fact should have postponed the induction of a couple other names as well.
I am not upset that Rip Williams is in, though I said "Huh?" last October when he was announced at Perris as a "Certain First Ballot Hall of Famer", but that fact proved true. I just hope that that same consensus can be created for the names on the list that Kev provides in his column. Just talking about the choices for the NSCHoF, as this is, furthers the cause to some degree. ALL votes should be public, and ALL voters should welcome scrutiny and dialogue regarding their choices. It keeps the heritage of the sport fresh.

the man from hooks, texas has got my attention for years. gary wright has won more than 318. he was a very good modified driver and a damn good latemodel driver. he has beat the best many times. most memoral victories were at kc raceway in the night the stars come out when he started mid pack and won against a strong field. and who could forget the azz whippin he gave at the hoosier fall classic when he started on the tail and won. he should definatly get in on his first try. oh yes he's one of my fav's.

have you or your brother heard of sid bufkin or wally stokes both csra big car champions wally won 22 of 23 main events in one year! Why are they not in?????????????????