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Home > Blogs > Local Auto Racing > Archives > 2009 > November > 01 > Entry
Dayton Speedway lives on
The Baum Opera House in Miamisburg has seen its share of history since its opening in 1884. On Sunday, Nov. 1, the visitors to the building preferred a different sound: A symphony of roaring engines, squealing tires and cheering grandstands.
DaytonSpeedwayLives.com, a grass-roots effort to keep the reverent speedway’s memory alive, honored 18 individuals who played key roles at the half-mile, high-banked oval. They were the first class inducted into the Dayton Speedway Hall of Fame.
The inaugural class includes:
•Clarence ‘Mutt’ Anderson (driver, car owner)
•Earl Baltes (track owner, promoter)
•Leal Beattie (media)
•Milton ‘Buster’ Blackford (driver, car owner)
•Elbert ‘Pappy’ Booker (driver)
•Dick Dunlevy Jr. (driver)
•Charlie Engle (car owner)
•Dick Freeman (driver)
•Frank Funk (track owner, promoter)
•Russ George (driver, crew member)
•William ‘Chick’ Hale (driver)
•Bob Korn (driver, mechanic)
•John ‘Shorty’ Miller (starter)
•Lee Raymond (driver)
•Neal Sceva (driver)
•Harvey Shapiro (media)
•Harold Smith (driver)
•Don Thompson (track owner, promoter)
Among the event’s highlights:
Eight of the inductees — Anderson, James Booker (Elbert’s son), Korn, Hale, Baltes, Dunlevy, Raymond and Shapiro — autographed specially designed hero cards. Said Baltes after inking his name and handing it to the autograph seeker, “Put it in your closet to scare the mice away.”
Inductees were provided a plaque, Dayton Speedway jacket and a print from local artist Ron Titus.
Former Dayton sportscaster Tom Hamlin, who announced races on TV along with Omar Williams, addressed the crowd of about 250.
IRL commentator Bob Jenkins drove over from Indiana to help MC. Jenkins said of Blackford, “Milton was the Intimidator before Dale Earnhardt had a driver’s license.”
Said Booker of his father, who was from Detroit: “If my dad were here to receive this plaque it would be the greatest honor he could receive.”
Dayton Daily News columnist Dale Huffman accepted the plaque for Engle, who died in 1974. Huffman read A Racer’s Prayer, which was read at Engle’s funeral.
Jerry Wahl, who accepted in honor of Thompson, was the last track announcer at Dayton Speedway. “The day we had to make the announcement the racing was over and we sent everybody home was a sad day.“
And finally, Mike Thompson, who created the website DaytonSpeedwayLives.com, summed up the afternoon: “It was an honor a privilege to spend the afternoon honoring the guys who were my heroes. It’s amazing when you look at these guys and realize what their accomplishments were, these are the absolute best of the best in short-track racing.”
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment | Categories: Auto racing
Comments
By Judy
November 2, 2009 10:00 AM | Link to this
I cannot believe the entire article never mentioned a very important person and a big part of Dayton Speedway. Mr. Dan Dilts and his wife Gertie. I am the neice of Dan and Gertie. I think you all needed to do alot MORE RESEACH on your subject, I assume you got your info from sources that were not correct.
By judy gann
November 2, 2009 10:02 AM | Link to this
I am the neice of Dan Dilts, my older brother is Don Wilbur. I cannot belive that you have an article about Dayton Speedway w/o mentioning Dan Dilts. And the same goes to Mr. Huffman also wrote a article. I don’t know where you all get your info but I think there should have been a deeper research than all three of you did or did not. His wife Gertie and Dan were responsible for putting on ,many a races. Without Dan there would not have been lots of the races. Dan was also responsible for the races at Kilkare. I saw in the paper at the Baum Opera House that Dan was not even mentioned. There is not a driver in those days, that did not know Dan Dilts. I can recall many a Sunday afternoon helping Gertie Dilts and my mom selling tickets at the Dayton Speedway. You all need to get all of your info correct. I am furious to think that all three of you have omitted a very important part of the Dayton Speedway history which included Dan Dilts.
By Marty
November 3, 2009 3:49 AM | Link to this
Now there are some memories, speending the day at Dayton Speedway with my entire family watching my uncle Wayne (Owens) racing.I can honestly say I miss those days.
By Marty
November 3, 2009 3:49 AM | Link to this
Now there are some memories, speending the day at Dayton Speedway with my entire family watching my uncle Wayne (Owens) racing.I can honestly say I miss those days.
By null
November 5, 2009 9:59 AM | Link to this
A special thanks to Mike Thompson and family and everyone who has helped out with the website and events. Mike has spent much time and money out of the goodness of his heart. To the above person complaining, anyone can nonimate and vote for the 2010 hall of fame. Just get on the website and follow the directions. Over 10,000 ballots were cast for the winners this year.