I first saw Rollie run at the Dayton Speedway in 1967...I was a 16 year old kid and I was impressed. Years later in 1996 when we were at The Phoenix Mile for the pavement USAC sprints we unloaded on a Thursday morning. That afternoon we went to the motel pool and spent a couple of hours talking to Rollie and Norm Shields with a few adult beverages....some great stories that day!! Rollie was still the same friendly guy who I was in awe of when I was a teenager. Nothing but respect for him.
As a Toledoan who grew up watching Rollie Beale win races against the best local racers, IMCA, and USAC, this is indeed a very sad day. I have a wall dedicated to Rollie in my basement. He raced in the 50's and won in stock cars before turning to modifieds, and super modifieds late in the decade at Toledo's Raceway Park dirt track. In the 60's he raced throughout Ohio at Fremont, Findlay, Sandusky, Toledo Speedway, etc. winning races and championships. He turned to IMCA, the Little 500, and finally to USAC where most on this board had the pleasure to witness his greatness as a person and champion. He was a "people's champion" and respected by those who raced against him as a fierce and clean competitor. Thank you Rollie Beale for being a race car driver and role model I could cheer for whether I was 5 years old or 65 years old. RIP.
The Beale family would like to say thank you so much for sharing your memories and well wishes, it is helping us more than you can know! The services for Rollie Beale will be as follows:
Feb 21 2-8pm
Feb 22 10:30am
Walker funeral home
5155 W. Sylvania Toledo, OH 43623
Please make any donations to
National Sprint Car Hall of Fame
Hospice of Northwest Ohio
I have been a fan of this wonderful man sense I was a 5 year old kid. I am now 52.
Thanks to his kindness, professionalism, work ethic and many other fine qualities he is one of the main reasons I am a fan of this sport. He was one hell of a wheel man and one hell of great person. Following him through special events over the past few years it pained me to see him age but he never changed, always a kind word and the man was sincere.
I guess that if I ever had a hero it was MR. Rollie Beale.
I for one will never forget him.
I'm also a great fan of rollie Beale ! I'm restoring a speed car which I would love to paint in the same colour scheme as the rodeo bar sprinter. I'm in desperate need of colour photos of the car . Could you possible email me some of your photos " thanks Kel young Australia
I'm disguised as a responsible adult!...
