All Time Greatest Dirt Racers

I saw this post...or one similar on the RacersReunion.com facebook group. I think this is a great topic, since this is where it all began. Do not limit your picks to just early history...this is for"All-Time" greatest dirt racers. Let's list them first...then later try to organize them and name the best. Here are a few to get you started...in no particular order.

A.J. Foyt

Al Grinnon

Al Unser

Alan Johnson

Aubrie Holly

Barefoot Bob McCreadie

Bennett Clontz

Bill Blair

Bill Morton

Billy Biscoe

Billy Moyer

Billy Scott

Bob Flock

Bob Moore

Bobby Issac

Bobby Unser

Brett Hearn

Bruce Brantley

Buck Simmons

Bud Elliott

Bud Lundsford

Buzz Collins

Buzzie Reutimann

C.J. Rayburn

C L Prichett

Carl Smart

Casey Cain

Charlie Blanton

Charlie Burnett

Charlie Hughes

Charlie Mincey

Charlie Tidwell

Chubby Thompkins

Chuck Piazza

Cotton Owens

Curtis Truner

Danny Johnson

David Boggs

David Pearson

David Perry

Dick Hutcherson

Dick Mills

Dink Widenhouse

Don Macon

Don Tumberlin

Don White

Donnie Head

Donnie Moran

Doug Cox

Doug Hall

Doug Kenimer

Doug Wolfgang

Dud Nelson

Dutch Hoag

Eddie Crouse

Eddie McDonald

Elmo Henderson

Ernie Derr

Ernie Irvan

Farmer John Edwards

Fat Cat Robbs

Floyd Powell

Fonty Flock

Francis Sullivan

Frankie Carnes

Freddie Smith

Gary Balough

Glenn McDuffie

Glenn Simpkins

H. E.Vinyard

Harold Painter

Harrison "Ozark Ike" Williams

Harry Gantt

Harvey Jones

Hayward Plyer

Herb "Tootle" Estes

Herman Goddard

Herman Mauney

Hooker Hood

Hop Holmes

"Hurricane" Hank Edwards

J.T.Kerr

Jack Hewitt

Jack Johnson

James Sears

Jan Opperman

Jeff Hawkins

Jeff Pervis

Jerry Butch Weld

Jimmie Lewallen

Jimmy Edwards

Jimmy Owens

Joe Weatherly

John A. Utsman

Junior Johnson

Kurt Busch

Kyle Busch

Larry Moore

Larry Phillips

Lee Petty

Leon "Slick" Sells

Leon Archer

Leroy Strickin

Lil Bud Moore

Lloyd Merlyn Beckman

Lonnie LeeRoy Yarbrough

Lou Lazzaro

Mac Head

Mac Mangum

Mario Andretti

Mike Duvall

Mutt Powell

Ned Jarrett

Parnelli Jones

Paul "Ghost"

Paul Goldsmith

Paul Lewis

Porky Edwards

Ralph Earnhardt

Ralph Moody

Ramo Stott

Rance Phillips

Red Farmer

Richard Petty

Rod Ulandfield

Rodney Combs

Roger Mathews

Ron Hutcherson

Roz Howard

Sam Ard

Sam Smith

Sammy Swindell

Scott Bloomquist

Steve Kinser

Stick Elliot

Tiger Tom Pistone

Tim Flock

Tiny Lund

Tommie Clinard

Tony Stewart

Vic "The Thrill" Hill

Walter Ball

Will Cagle

Woodie Moore

Chubby Thompkins

Jimmy (Porky) Edwards, Jr.

"Hurricane" Hank Edwards

One of, if not the most impressive dirt show I ever witnessed was Tony stewart at Knoxville when he borrowed a car he had never driven and finished second. Never lifted and ran the top side and was on the edge for every lap.Hate to give my vote for one race but I will......

donny head mac mangum bud elliot david boggs al grinnan jr johnson glenn mcduffie mutt powell roger matthews and chubby tompkins are names that i think about and jimmy and hank edwards as well these were great drivers in there time

Charles, you named off a few..I had totally forgotten..LOL especially David Boggs!! And Hank Edwards will be back in 2013, but will only run a limited schedule. He really hasn't driven much since Porky passed away....

I wouldn't be happy with myself if I didn't say Tony Stewart.

I would also stick with some older guys such as Mike Head, Leon 'Slick' Sells, Charlie Mincey, Leon Archer or any others.

.gerald chamblen ,Earl moss,johnny roberts George dunn,David pearson ,brett hern.donald tucker,jimmy rumley,steve kinser,jan opperman ,kenny weld ,kenny brightbill sammy swindell ,billy osmun

Ernie Derr, 12-time IMCA Champion and Steve Kinser twenty-time Champion in WoO

I'm pickin' and he's AL GRINNAN! Named previously by Charles Ray Stocks.

Never raced without his red socks and a pickup truck load of watermelons for the competitors he usually beat on the dirt arenas up and down the entire eastern seaboard. Only driver I ever knew to date country music legend Patsy Cline (when he raced at Winchester, Virgina) - that's worthy of a bonus point!

I'd definitely add two-time NASCAR National Modified Champ, Eddie Crouse to the list. He was seldom beat on the dirt.

A few more names to add to the all-time list Paul "Ghost", Lil Bud Moore, Ralph Earnhardt, Dink Widenhouse,

Charlie Schwartz and Floyd Powell.

Red Farmer

Charlie Burnett

Roz Howard

Harvey Jones

Eddie Mc Donald

Buck Simmons

i almost forgot billy scott hop holmes and chuck piazza

Chubby Thompkins, Porky Edwards, Larry Phillips, Farmer John Matthews... Sam Ard was no slouch on dirt either! He was very good!

Great additions to the list!!

Here is a quick recap of the names listed thus far...as they say on TV..."In no particualr order".

Freddie Smith

Buck Simmons

Billy Scott

Curtis Truner

Junior Johnson

Scott Bloomquist

Billy Moyer

Donnie Moran

Jimmy Owens

Mike Duvall

Eddie Crouse

Hop Holmes

Chubby Thompkins

Porky Edwards

Sam Ard

Farmer John Edwards

Larry Phillips

Bill Morton

Steve Kinser

Chuck Piazza

Paul "Ghost"

Ralph Earnhardt

Lil Bud Moore

Dink Widenhouse

Red Farmer

Charlie Burnett

Roz Howard

Harvey Jones

Eddie McDonald

James Sears

"Hurricane" Hank Edwards

Donnie Head

Paul Lewis

Mac Mangum

Bud Elliott

David Boggs

Al Grinnon

Glenn McDuffie

Mutt Powell

Roger Mathews

Jimmy Edwards

Herb "Tootle" Estes

H. E.Vinyard

Vic "The Thrill" Hill

Tiny Lund

Tony Stewart

Mac Head

Charlie Mincey

Leon "Slick" Sells

Leon Archer

Richard Petty

John A. Utsman

Man!! If we could get that field together, what a run that would be!

Wouldn't that make a great race!

THE BIG STICK - STICK ELLIOTT .

Some of the best I have seen

Alan Johnson

Jack Johnson

Barefoot Bob McCreadie

Brett Hearn

it would be hard to pick just one of these drivers for the best ever i had the good fortune tol see these great drivers put on some of the best racing in the world

Jack Hewitt

Ernie Irvan

Carl Smart

Hayward Plyler

Can't believe this name hasn't been said ''A.J.Foyt'

Buzz Collins, Walter Ball, J.T. Kerr, Herman Goddard.

Ah yes, more of the Volunteer crowd. All great picks.

I've seen Tony Stewart run and win on dirt and think he could compete with any of the greats. Another driver that I only had the privilege to see race one time but he had already gained legendary status by then was Hooker Hood. Probably need to add Hooker to the list of greats!

There's a name I haven heard in a while...Hooker Hood

Time for another Updated List

Freddie Smith

Buck Simmons

Billy Scott

Curtis Truner

Junior Johnson

Scott Bloomquist

Billy Moyer

Donnie Moran

Jimmy Owens

Mike Duvall

Eddie Crouse

Hop Holmes

Chubby Thompkins

Porky Edwards

Sam Ard

Farmer John Edwards

Larry Phillips

Bill Morton

Steve Kinser

Chuck Piazza

Paul "Ghost"

Ralph Earnhardt

Lil Bud Moore

Dink Widenhouse

Red Farmer

Charlie Burnett

Roz Howard

Harvey Jones

Eddie McDonald

James Sears

"Hurricane" Hank Edwards

Donnie Head

Paul Lewis

Mac Mangum

Bud Elliott

David Boggs

Al Grinnon

Glenn McDuffie

Mutt Powell

Roger Mathews

Jimmy Edwards

Herb "Tootle" Estes

H. E.Vinyard

Vic "The Thrill" Hill

Tiny Lund

Tony Stewart

Mac Head

Charlie Mincey

Leon "Slick" Sells

Leon Archer

Richard Petty

John A. Utsman

Stick Elliot

A.J. Foyt

Hooker Hood

Jack Hewitt

Ernie Irvan

Carl Smart

Hayward Plyer

Buzz collins

Walter Ball

J.T.Kerr

Herman Goddard

Alan Johnson

Jack Johnson

Barefoot Bob McCreadie

Brett Hearn

Tiny Lund

Harry Gantt

Bobby Issac

heres one more for you ralph rose

Jimmie Lewallen

Bill Blair

Jeff Gilder

Paul Lewis

Billy Biscoe

Bob Moore

Kyle Busch

Kurt Busch

Casey Cain

Three from my home town of Keokuk Ia. Ernie Derr, Don White, and Dick Hutcherson. And that's not counting ARCA Champs Ramo Stott and Ron Hutcherson.

Joe Weatherly, Richard Petty, Lee Petty, Ned Jarrett, Cotton Owens, Mario Andretti, Parnelli Jones, Ralph Moody, Bobby and Al Unser, C.J. Rayburn,Bob Flock,Fonty Flock,Tim Flock, and Paul Goldsmith.

Been the receiver of this drivers dirt many times----TIM LEEMING

Don Macon and Glenn Simpkins, haven't heard those two names in years...Mark, you must be from around the N.C. mid-state, Raleigh perhaps. Don and Glenn were two of Farmer John Matthews toughest competitors. First saw them both run in Carolina Beach, N.C. back in '64 in coupes...At that time Don's car was red #4 if I remember correctly, John drove a blue Ford coupe #16 Jr. don't remember much about Glenn's car.

I don't remember much about Glenn's car either, William. But, I sure remember that name...I too, have not heard it in a long time...LOL!

Go to have lunch in Port Orange 2 years ago with Dutch when he came down for a visit and heard a ton of great dirt stories. He was a great one on any surface....

This is my top 20 , in noparticular order .

Stick Elliot

Fat Cat Robbs

Frankie Carnes

Charlie Blanton

Bennett Clontz

Bud Lundsford

Mike Duvall

Buck Simmons

Tiny lund

Rodney Combs

Doug Kenimer

Dick Mills

Carl Smart

David Perry

C L Prichett

Billy Scott

Freddy Smith

Herman Mauney

Charlie Hughes

Gary Balough

glenn simpkins car was always no 21

That's Don Macon in the foreground, Dennis Smith driving the famed Carlton Lamm BBQ Barn car in the center and Carl Horton with his cigar on the inside lined up at Wilson County Speedway in the mid-70s. Don, who had been promoting Wake County Speedway in Raleigh, tragically passed away in 1982 from carbon monoxide poisoning. He was always a crowd favorite. Track Stewart, Cliff Winstead, owner of Wilson's Cliff's Drive-In is lining 'em up! Kristi Maynard photo.

Glenn Simpkins at Wake County:

Farmer John's #16 Cliff's Drive-In Late Model at Wilson around 1975. Tim Hamm photo.

notice the vinyl top on the car don macon is driving i think carl horton is in the 37 car and dennis smith is in the car on the inside looks the 32 car

Charles,

I think you'll enjoy these links... you'll see a lot of photos of Wilson County Speedway cars from around 1973-1977:

http://www.localracechat.com/forums/showthread.php?66450-1973-Wilso...

AND

http://stockcar.racersreunion.com/photo/photo/listForContributor?sc...

I didn't know it previously, but Don Macon's nephew was killed at Wake County Speedway in 1965:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=w04cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=l1EEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3296,512005&dq=don+macon+wake+county+speedway&hl=en

I'll be getting some more pics this weekend as well. Will be interesting to see.....

Here's the proof that Don Macon was promoting the Wake County Speedway in Raleigh in the early 70s, as well as still driving - very competitively.

When this rule book was posted by a member at Local Race Chat several years ago, our Bobby Williamson commented on how dirt tracks today ought to get together with common rules like Wilson, Wake County and Fayetteville did in the 70s. Makes too much sense, I guess.

Other than tires, most do as far as Late Model or Crate Late Model rules. Many of the other classes have too many varying rules, which also has contributed to classes splitting into other classes. Thus the ridiculous number of classes of cars at most local tracks. The biggest problem is that almost all tracks run on Saturday nights only. There are far fewer Friday night tracks and none that run Thursday or Sunday in the south.

Some dirt legends I can think of back in Upstate NY that I would hear mentioned in the stands.

Will Cagle

Lou Lazzaro

Buzzie Reutimann

I have heard Curtis Turner called the greatest dirt track driver (of course I'm a little predjudiced as I got to see him race and named my son after him). One of the best that I have ever had the chance to see was Joe Lee Johnson, he was super smooth. Since we are putting togeher a lot of names we need to add Tootle Estes, Tiger Tom Pistone, Georgia's Bruce Brantley. Larry Moore, Rodney Combs, Jeff Pervis and so many more.

Not a bad driver in the bunch, NDRA style at Dixie Speedway; Woodstock, GA.

Great additions to the list, Robert.

Johnny, I have heard of Fat Cat Robbs before, but do not have any personal recollection. Can you add some more info about him?

Nice list, by the way.

Did I see David Pearson on this list anywhere? Also add: Jan Opperman

Charlie Tidwell, Rance Phillips, Tommie Clinard, Francis Sullivan, Don Tumberlin, Woodie Moore, Aubrie Holly, Leroy Strickin,

These older Drivers are on my List:

Floyd Powell

Doug Hall

Elmo Henderson

David Pearson

Harold Painter

Jeff Hawkins

Doug Cox

Harrison "Ozark Ike" Williams

Dud Nelson

Sam Smith

Tiny Lund , Rod Ulandfield,Lonnie LeeRoy Yarbrough, Jerry Butch Weld , Danny Johnson, Lloyd Merlyn Beckman

Let's do another updated list. I alphabatized this one. We were getting a lot of duplicates. Keep in mind...this is supposed to be the "greatest" dirt drivers in history.

A.J. Foyt

Al Grinnon

Al Unser

Alan Johnson

Aubrie Holly

Barefoot Bob McCreadie

Bennett Clontz

Bill Blair

Bill Morton

Billy Biscoe

Billy Moyer

Billy Scott

Bob Flock

Bob Moore

Bobby Issac

Bobby Unser

Brett Hearn

Bruce Brantley

Buck Simmons

Bud Elliott

Bud Lundsford

Buzz Collins

Buzzie Reutimann

C.J. Rayburn

C L Prichett

Carl Smart

Casey Cain

Charlie Blanton

Charlie Burnett

Charlie Hughes

Charlie Mincey

Charlie Tidwell

Chubby Thompkins

Chuck Piazza

Cotton Owens

Curtis Truner

Danny Johnson

David Boggs

David Pearson

David Perry

Dick Hutcherson

Dick Mills

Dink Widenhouse

Don Macon

Don Tumberlin

Don White

Donnie Head

Donnie Moran

Doug Cox

Doug Hall

Doug Kenimer

Doug Wolfgang

Dud Nelson

Dutch Hoag

Eddie Crouse

Eddie McDonald

Elmo Henderson

Ernie Derr

Ernie Irvan

Farmer John Edwards

Fat Cat Robbs

Floyd Powell

Fonty Flock

Francis Sullivan

Frankie Carnes

Freddie Smith

Gary Balough

Glenn McDuffie

Glenn Simpkins

H. E.Vinyard

Harold Painter

Harrison "Ozark Ike" Williams

Harry Gantt

Harvey Jones

Hayward Plyer

Herb "Tootle" Estes

Herman Goddard

Herman Mauney

Hooker Hood

Hop Holmes

"Hurricane" Hank Edwards

J.T.Kerr

Jack Hewitt

Jack Johnson

James Sears

Jan Opperman

Jeff Hawkins

Jeff Pervis

Jerry Butch Weld

Jimmie Lewallen

Jimmy Edwards

Jimmy Owens

Joe Weatherly

John A. Utsman

Junior Johnson

Kurt Busch

Kyle Busch

Larry Moore

Larry Phillips

Lee Petty

Leon "Slick" Sells

Leon Archer

Leroy Strickin

Lil Bud Moore

Lloyd Merlyn Beckman

Lonnie LeeRoy Yarbrough

Lou Lazzaro

Mac Head

Mac Mangum

Mario Andretti

Mike Duvall

Mutt Powell

Ned Jarrett

Parnelli Jones

Paul "Ghost"

Paul Goldsmith

Paul Lewis

Porky Edwards

Ralph Earnhardt

Ralph Moody

Ramo Stott

Rance Phillips

Red Farmer

Richard Petty

Rod Ulandfield

Rodney Combs

Roger Mathews

Ron Hutcherson

Roz Howard

Sam Ard

Sam Smith

Sammy Swindell

Scott Bloomquist

Steve Kinser

Stick Elliot

Tiger Tom Pistone

Tim Flock

Tiny Lund

Tommie Clinard

Tony Stewart

Vic "The Thrill" Hill

Walter Ball

Will Cagle

Woodie Moore

Since it appears we didn't restrict our listing to stock cars, I want to make two additions:

* TED HORN - Magnificent driving talent who won multiple AAA driving titles racing primarily on dirt. A sentimental favorite for me because he won the very first event at the Richmond Fairgrounds 1/2-mile dirt in 1946. Killed at the DuQuoin Mile.

* TOMMY HINNERSHITZ - Known as the "Oley Dirt Farmer" - this late Pennsylvania sprint car driver is in all the halls of fame acknowledging the exploits of dirt sprinters and won more races than anyone will ever know.

Tommy Robbs lives in Grassy Pond S.C. jest north of Gaffney. While growing up i saw him race at Shelby , Cherokee, Carolina , Metrolina , old Concord and Hillview speedway . Fat Cat , Stick Elliot were always my favorites . Fat Cats dirt cars were hugger orange with white roofs with # 59 . He stoped Stick Elliots winning streak in Ralph Earnhardts chevelle at Cherokee speedway in Gaffney spinning Stick out with a few laps to go . Fat Cat raced at Daytona and Charlotte in the 70s . I built his son J.R. a couple of dirt cars in the 90s . Fat Cat and I became friends and he gave me his 68 camaro he raced in the early 70s and im restoring it now . I am very lucky to have my 2 favorite drivers cars . I have Sticks 64 chavelle restored . Fat Cat is in good health and i love to hear his stories about the good old days . He was at your reunion at Shelby last year.

Thanks for having a place to remember the good ole days.

Johnny B

Friday Hassler, everybody named Fryer (Harold, Freddy and Bobby), Leon Brindle, Jody Ridley, Jerry Inman, Don Hester, Fulmer Lance, Johnny Thomas, Stan Massey, John Henry Madox,..........................

Hershel McGriff

Dub Simpson

Harold Dunaway

Larry Wallace

Bryant Wallace

Ervin Carpenter

Preston Humphries

johnny - i was at that race - we were at concord sat nite and it started raining so alot of guys left and went to cherokee - fat cat spun him out off of turn four - sticks car was overheating - i think it was a water pump - on cautions he would drive around the track real slow to try and cool it off - but the car was getting weaker and weaker - there were only a few laps left - the thing about it was stick never got mad or shouted at anyone - you just knew you had it coming - and he was the best at paying it back - also do you remember stick driving a yellow number four camaro - sponsored by roberta factory outlet - it was yellow when he won the shrine one hundred - but latter they painted the car blue with a white top i think - still number four - do you remember this car .

here is one name not on the list - one of the all time best - lets hear it for - tim flock !!! .

Good one...

Roz Howard one of the Ga boys

I just found out that we have lost another great dirt tracker, Georgia's Luther Carter has passed away. He raced many years in and around the N. GA area. I don't have the details but will pass on any information I get.

I would mortgage the house to see this field run one time.

Hey David , did you find any pictures of the Stick Elliot cars when they blue and white #4