By Scott Wolfe
CHILLICOTHE, OHIO-Some of the biggest names in racing have passed through the gates of Atomic Speedway, including Indy 500 and Daytona 500 veterans, however, the success of the storied 3/8 mile high-banked oval lies in its grass-roots, locally dedicated racing pioneers. Saturday, May 24 many of those racing greats will be honored with the induction of the 2014 K-C/Atomic Speedway Hall of Fame inductions. In addition to the reunion-type atmosphere, race fans will be treated to a pair of $2,500 to win features: a 25-lap $2,500 main for the 410 Outlaw Sprints and a 25-lap $2,500 run for the Late models, plus Advanced Services Modifieds.
The first class inducted in April of 2010 included Audie Swartz, Delmas Conley, Dean Knittle, Sam Erwin, Dan Reno; Jr. Spencer, Myrl Williams, Charlie McCann, The Smalley Family, Bud and Joe Frazier, Wayne McGuire and members of The Chillicothe Stock Car Racing Association. Inducted in 2011 were George Habour, Bobby Morgan, George Branscom, Bob LeMaster, Bob Crace Sr., Bob Crace Jr. and Stan Jefferies.
Spike Spears, Jim Meeker, Harry Martin, Dale Jones, Gerald Palmer and the Karshner Family will be inducted into the KC/Atomic Hallof Fame this Saturday Night May 24th.
“The Golden Spike”, Spike Spears, Chillicothe, was always a fan favorite due to his contagious smile and always upbeat attitude. Spears will lead the way once again as the early sprint and modified ace makes his way to Victory Lane once again as a Hall of Famer. Spears was probably most noted for his legendary win in the “Buckeye 100” in 1971 when he beat a contingent of Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Northern Ohio drivers.
Jimmy Meeker, Chillicothe, affectionately known as “The Cigar Kid” is the next inductee. The night that Meeker told fellow racers and fans he was hanging up his helmet surely surprised people; what was not a surprise was that at the end of the night Jim was once again in the winners circle, a place he was very familiar with. This racing legend won many races in the supermodified and sprint car division and was one of a very select few to go out with a win.
Harry Martin the man behind many of the early write-ups and photos helped put “The Atomic” on the map with his stories and photos. Martin had a keen eye for capturing that perfect shot of cars at speed and an eye that captured those special moments in victory lane. His photography and writing skills let the rest of the world what Chillicothe area fans knew–Atomic Speedway was one of the finest racing venues in the nation.
Dale Jones was a pioneer in open wheel racing and aided in the start of Atomic Speedway. Jones was an early racer and Chillicothe business man who actually raced in the first event at the fabled high banks on Blain Hwy and later went on to be a successful sprint and midget car owner in USAC. Some of Myrl Williams’ early cars were driven by Dale Jones.
“Palmer to the judges stand” was something nearly every race fan heard for decades at Atomic Speedway. Gerald Palmer was one of the fixtures that made Atomic Speedway click smoothly every Saturday night. If it needed repaired, Palmer was the man who took care of it, and always with a smile on his face. From anything from the backstretch lights to the phone in the ticket booth, he had them working every Saturday night.
For a time Atomic Speedway became K-C Raceway— and gladly so. The Karshner-Cooper connecton in the namesake K-C Raceway brought the track back to life in 1995 after a year lay-off in 1984. When Atomic Speedway was setting empty it was the entire Karshner family that got together with Chillicothe businessman Ralph Cooper to purchase and resurrect the speed plant. It was under their ownership that the keystone events such as “The Night The Stars Come Out” and “The Freedom 40” came to be.
For more information please call 740-703-9749 or 740-663-4141 or visit the Atomic Speedway website at <<< www.atomicspeedway.net >>> Atomic is located 12 miles South of Chillicothe, Ohio off SR 23, two miles out Blain Highway between Chillicothe, Ohio and Waverly, Ohio at Alma.
Atomic is a Hoosier only track. Check the website for rule details and the NDRL site for the weekend tire rule for late models which sees the NDRL return July 25 and July 26.
Coming Events!
May 23– Atomic Get-together! Two Live Bands: Gates Open 5:00 p.m. Six to Noon band and Crossroad Station band
May 24– Hall of Fame night honoring the ‘rich’ Atomic History of ‘Racing Greats’
$2,500 to win Sprints! $2,500 to win Late Models plus AMRA Modifieds.
May 31– FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT #1 $5.00 Admission to Honor our fans! Sprints, AMRA Late Models, AMRA Modifieds, Street Stocks
June 14– Veterans Night: Sprints, AMRA Modifieds, Street Stocks, Sport Mods
Both Six to Noon & Crossroad Station performing in the same night!!!! May 23 in the front parking lot of Atomic Speedway!
We invite everyone to come out & enjoy to of the best bands in southern Ohio! Music starts at 8 p.m. Gaates open 5 p.m.
Great music! Race ticket give aways! Really Freakin Hot Slim Jim Speed Eating Contest! Hanging out with great friends! Oh, and did I mention, getting to see performances from two of the best bands around!
Come on out & kick off Memorial weekend in style! Spend Friday evening enjoying awesome music then Saturday evening enjoying some awesome dirt track racing!
*Thanks to Bruce Hines for much of the information provided above