By Bob Baker
KNOXVILLE, IOWA (May 16, 2011) – Super-modified champion Dean Sylvester of Hedrick, Iowa, will take center stage this Thursday evening, May 19, at the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum in Knoxville as he is the featured guest of this month’s “Sprint Car 101” Third Thursday Series program. The free and open-to-the-public forum will be held from 7 until 9 p.m. on the museum’s second floor and it will honor the 1957 Knoxville Raceway driver/car owner champion and the ‘61 Knoxville car owner champion (for championship driver Earl Wagner). Veteran announcer Dave Van Patten of Norwalk will emcee the educational and entertaining session.
According to museum curator Tom Schmeh, “I am really proud of how these ‘Sprint Car 101’ sessions have caught on with racing fans in central Iowa. Last month’s ‘Salute to Gil Sonner’ drew over one hundred people and I think the attendees left with a better, more personal knowledge of ‘Gilly,’ including his dry sense of humor. That certainly is my goal for Thursday’s program with Dean, as he tends to be a very quiet person and yet he has so many accomplishments as a driver, owner, mechanic and builder that need to be revealed to the general public. And we are also going to allow audience members the opportunity to come forward and tell some Dean Sylvester stories themselves.”
Those seeking more information on the “Sprint Car 101” Third Thursday Series programs can visit www.sprintcarhof.com.