What racer has been driving the longest ?

Wade Mahaffey · 01-03-2010, 11:31 AM

My last thread (who has been racing the same car the longest) was alot of fun. And, it really gave folks a chance to reflect on some of the pioneers of class racing. Hopefully, it provided some due respect for a job well done!
Now lets switch gears, and talk about the man behind the wheel. WHO HAS BEEN DRIVING THE LONGEST? Same car, or any combination of cars/classes will work. Continous competition, or with a break from driving (ie. raise a family, busy with work, health, money etc.) The driver that could not resist mashing the pedal down the quarter mile! Come on guys, it's time for a little history part two. A few names that come to mind are: Bobby Warren, Ken Montgomery, you get the idea. Lets show respect, and give thanks to the ones that paved the way! Don't leave them out, put their name here! They all count!

Alan Roehrich · 01-03-2010, 11:42 AM

Around here, that would be Jimmy Bridges, John Livingston, and Sonny Elliott, who retired at the end of 2008. That's just three off the top of my head.

Dick Butler · 01-03-2010, 11:56 AM

Bob Marshall, RonTerrell, Leon Mirannian, Dickie Ogles, Danny Kyle.Richard Doane

Jim Cimarolli · 01-03-2010, 11:57 AM

Bob Reed, Arlen Vanke, to name a couple, but I don't know if they are still racing.
I always liked Dickie Ogles, but he retired a few years ago.

Alan Roehrich · 01-03-2010, 12:01 PM

Jim, I think I saw Dickie Ogles driving a Corvette in Super Stock in 2009 at Bowling Green.

There's always that Woodro Josey guy, that crotchety old fart is older than dirt.

qwiked · 01-03-2010, 12:04 PM

Div. 6 stalwarts Pete Kost and Alan Falcone have been at it forever

CycloneFE · 01-03-2010, 12:10 PM

While not a sportsman,

Kris Karamasines at what 83!

WOW

Mickey Whaley · 01-03-2010, 12:12 PM

BOBBY WARREN and just won a national event a couple of years ago.

Jimmy D. Hyink · 01-03-2010, 08:45 PM

Jerry Stealy , has been racing class cars for a long time,forty plus years I believe. He was tough this year in the Heartland S/SS series.

Jimmy D. Hyink

Ed Fernandez · 01-03-2010, 10:28 PM

I'll go with Spider Spanakos.I was talking with him in his trailer once and he was telling me stories of him racing around the Roman Colisieum in his stovebolt chariot.I don't think anybody could top that.
Seriously,he's been at it for over 50 years.Quite an accomplishment.

01-03-2010, 11:31 AM	#1
Wade Mahaffey Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 581 Likes: 0 Liked 17 Times in 7 Posts	What racer has been driving the longest ? My last thread (who has been racing the same car the longest) was alot of fun. And, it really gave folks a chance to reflect on some of the pioneers of class racing. Hopefully, it provided some due respect for a job well done! Now lets switch gears, and talk about the man behind the wheel. WHO HAS BEEN DRIVING THE LONGEST? Same car, or any combination of cars/classes will work. Continous competition, or with a break from driving (ie. raise a family, busy with work, health, money etc.) The driver that could not resist mashing the pedal down the quarter mile! Come on guys, it's time for a little history part two. A few names that come to mind are: Bobby Warren, Ken Montgomery, you get the idea. Lets show respect, and give thanks to the ones that paved the way! Don't leave them out, put their name here! They all count!

01-03-2010, 11:42 AM	#2
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,105 Likes: 1,564 Liked 1,789 Times in 408 Posts	Re: What racer has been driving the longest ? Around here, that would be Jimmy Bridges, John Livingston, and Sonny Elliott, who retired at the end of 2008. That's just three off the top of my head. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

01-03-2010, 11:56 AM	#3
Dick Butler VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Richmond Indiana Posts: 1,196 Likes: 5 Liked 32 Times in 19 Posts	Re: What racer has been driving the longest ? Bob Marshall, RonTerrell, Leon Mirannian, Dickie Ogles, Danny Kyle.Richard Doane

01-03-2010, 11:57 AM	#4
Jim Cimarolli Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Sulphur Springs Texas Posts: 743 Likes: 146 Liked 166 Times in 46 Posts	Re: What racer has been driving the longest ? Bob Reed, Arlen Vanke, to name a couple, but I don't know if they are still racing. I always liked Dickie Ogles, but he retired a few years ago.

01-03-2010, 12:01 PM	#5
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,105 Likes: 1,564 Liked 1,789 Times in 408 Posts	Re: What racer has been driving the longest ? Jim, I think I saw Dickie Ogles driving a Corvette in Super Stock in 2009 at Bowling Green. There's always that Woodro Josey guy, that crotchety old fart is older than dirt. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

01-03-2010, 12:04 PM	#6
qwiked Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Liberty Lake, WA, Peoria,AZ Posts: 80 Likes: 195 Liked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Re: What racer has been driving the longest ? Div. 6 stalwarts Pete Kost and Alan Falcone have been at it forever

01-03-2010, 12:10 PM	#7
CycloneFE Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Decatur Illinois Posts: 634 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: What racer has been driving the longest ? While not a sportsman, Kris Karamasines at what 83! WOW

01-03-2010, 12:12 PM	#8
Mickey Whaley VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,220 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: What racer has been driving the longest ? BOBBY WARREN and just won a national event a couple of years ago.

01-03-2010, 08:45 PM	#9
Jimmy D. Hyink Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 13 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: What racer has been driving the longest ? Jerry Stealy , has been racing class cars for a long time,forty plus years I believe. He was tough this year in the Heartland S/SS series. Jimmy D. Hyink

01-03-2010, 10:28 PM	#10
Ed Fernandez Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NOO JOISEY nexta NOO YAWK Posts: 5,879 Likes: 38 Liked 100 Times in 45 Posts	Re: What racer has been driving the longest ? I'll go with Spider Spanakos.I was talking with him in his trailer once and he was telling me stories of him racing around the Roman Colisieum in his stovebolt chariot.I don't think anybody could top that. Seriously,he's been at it for over 50 years.Quite an accomplishment. __________________ Former NHRA #1945 Former IHRA #1945 T/SA