Smokey Snellbaker RIP

davidm · 10/5/11, 10:47 PM

Smokey Snellbaker passed away today. He was one of my all time favorites.

My first trip to Williams Grove I got lost and by chance I ended up behind this nice looking white and red stripped #56 Sprint car. I followed them into the track, not knowing much about the teams and drivers I decide I'd root for the 56 car that night. Well it was 1979 and Lynn Paxton in the Boops Aluminum Sprinter and Smokey in the Lloyds Sprinter were the two hot shoes at the Grove. The two put on a hard fought battle with Smokey coming out on top that night. A fan was made! I always followed Smokey's career even when he aged and move to the Super Sportsman he was still my driver.

He has quite a career.

He's in the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame
41 Wins at Williams Grove and 3 Grove Championships
3 time Port Royal Track Champ with 55 wins

He will be greatly missed.

Russ · 10/6/11, 12:34 AM

A very nice man and a great racer. Rest in Peace Mr. Snellbaker.

fish · 10/6/11, 2:08 AM

A true gentleman and great racer.

Redwood17257 · 10/6/11, 5:01 AM

Wow, Smokey Snellbaker was one of the best, when I moved to PA as a kid from Indiana and watched wing sprints for the first time at the Grove and Silver Spring (now defunct), he was one of my favorites along with Paul Lotier (I always loved the brick pattern on the wing) and Fast Freddie and Chris Eash.
RIP Mr. Snellbaker, you'll be missed for sure.

Seadog · 10/6/11, 7:59 AM

R.I.P. Smokey. Good racer and good guy.

Just recalling the few times he ran at Eldora with USAC. I seem to remember a #56 with a zebra stripe paint job. Can anybody confirm that?

davidm · 10/6/11, 8:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seadog

R.I.P. Smokey. Good racer and good guy.

Just recalling the few times he ran at Eldora with USAC. I seem to remember a #56 with a zebra stipe paint job. Can anybody confirm that?

Yes the Lloyds car was painted just like you mentioned Seadog.

Smokey was also one of the drivers that ran with USAC Champ cars at Pocono in an upright Dirt Car after the CART split.

treecitytornado · 10/6/11, 9:05 AM

I remember Smokey competing in the Masters Classic at Knoxville in 2002, when I was running a Midget. I recall watching and thinking, man, this guy has been racing for a long time!

God Speed Smokey!
Posted via Mobile Device

SpfldMile · 10/6/11, 9:10 AM

I remember Pop Lloyd's champ car had an Indy car-like wing on the front at one time. I think I remember an article in Open Wheel that said Smokey didn't start racing till he was almost 30. RIP

smith19 · 10/6/11, 9:58 AM

definatly a sad day. i also remember the zebra car. let's don't forget "smoke" had 56 wins in one year.

ronmil · 10/6/11, 1:14 PM

RIP, Smokey. One of the neatest names in racing. Got to see him when he ran with USAC.

10/6/11, 7:59 AM	#5 Re: Smokey Snellbaker RIP
Seadog Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2,136	R.I.P. Smokey. Good racer and good guy. Just recalling the few times he ran at Eldora with USAC. I seem to remember a #56 with a zebra stripe paint job. Can anybody confirm that? _________________________________________________ Last edited by Seadog; 10/6/11 at 9:42 AM.

10/6/11, 9:10 AM	#8 Re: Smokey Snellbaker RIP
SpfldMile Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,345	I remember Pop Lloyd's champ car had an Indy car-like wing on the front at one time. I think I remember an article in Open Wheel that said Smokey didn't start racing till he was almost 30. RIP __________________ For those about to rock, we salute you.

10/6/11, 9:58 AM	#9 Re: Smokey Snellbaker RIP
smith19 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,940	definatly a sad day. i also remember the zebra car. let's don't forget "smoke" had 56 wins in one year. __________________ CHRIS SMITH

10/6/11, 1:14 PM	#10 Re: Smokey Snellbaker RIP
ronmil Senior Member Race Count Last Year: 48 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 18,798	RIP, Smokey. One of the neatest names in racing. Got to see him when he ran with USAC. __________________ Ron Miller

10/6/11, 12:34 AM	#2 Re: Smokey Snellbaker RIP
Russ Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1,669	A very nice man and a great racer. Rest in Peace Mr. Snellbaker.

10/6/11, 2:08 AM	#3 Re: Smokey Snellbaker RIP
fish Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 6,725	A true gentleman and great racer.

10/6/11, 5:01 AM	#4 Re: Smokey Snellbaker RIP
Redwood17257 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 404	Wow, Smokey Snellbaker was one of the best, when I moved to PA as a kid from Indiana and watched wing sprints for the first time at the Grove and Silver Spring (now defunct), he was one of my favorites along with Paul Lotier (I always loved the brick pattern on the wing) and Fast Freddie and Chris Eash. RIP Mr. Snellbaker, you'll be missed for sure.

10/6/11, 9:05 AM	#7
treecitytornado Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 4,019	I remember Smokey competing in the Masters Classic at Knoxville in 2002, when I was running a Midget. I recall watching and thinking, man, this guy has been racing for a long time! God Speed Smokey! Posted via Mobile Device