Ralph Jones Photo |
In the 1960’s and
into the ‘70’s, the term “Outlaw” meant something entirely
different than in today’s racing circles. You were an
“outlaw” if you raced without allegiance to any particular
sanctioning body or track. Racing where the money was,
across the nation, from the legendary tracks of the east to
the county fair circuit of the plains, and to the dusty and
dangerous ovals of the west coast, stiff competition was the
only constant. It was a time of hard racing, even harder
men, who built the foundation for the high octane, high
dollar sport which continues to grow by leaps and bounds,
entertaining generations of loyal followers.
Out of this environment spilled some of the sport’s greatest
legends: the Welds,, Wooley, Opperman, Saldana, Leavitt and
many more who have been recognized for their talent and
contribution to the sport. These are familiar names to the
fans, yet, many others played a role just as important,
winning races themselves and assuring that the “Golden Age
of Sprint Car Racing” earned its accolades. |
One such driver was Jay Woodside. A
product of the Kansas dustbowl, which spawned so many great
drivers, he won his first sprint car race at Algona, IA. for Merle
Heath and was consistently racing up front for the next dozen
years. During his fabulous career, he raced in over 40 states, in
nearly every organization that sanctioned sprinters, from coast to
coast and even Canada. He raced against most of the “Top 100”
drivers in the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame all time poll. At
some point, during those years, he drove some of the most
well-known cars in the business and won, or nearly won, some of
the biggest races in the country.
Woodside’s list of accomplishments truly
stand out. He’s the 1966 Knoxville Nationals winner, a feat which
becomes more meaningful each year when it is recognized that the
winners of that event read like a history book of the sport, he
won championships such as the BCRA, the Missouri State title and
Topeka track championships. Although, he rarely competed in one
group for long, he was IMCA sprint car rookie-of-the-year in 1961,
and could usually be found near the top of the point standings. He
competed in the “Little 500” several times, won the first ever
sprint car race at I-70 Speedway in Odessa, MO., and was Al
Hamilton’s first driver of the famed # 77 at Williams Grove. Throw
in a stellar record in Super-Modified racing early and late in his
career, and midgets and even an occasional Indy Roadster
opportunity in the early 60’s, and its easy to see that the body
of work during his time in racing is quite impressive.
One of the downsides to racing at the
time, were the crashes that devastated many careers. Jay had a
nasty one at the Jayhawk Nationals in 1962. He suffered serious
leg and hip injuries which continue to plague him today. He spent
a year in the hospital, possibly derailing a fast track up the
racing ladder, which may have hurt his chances of getting to Indy,
although Jay say’s there was a silver lining to the crash. “ I was
in the Army at the time, and had to spend a year in the hospital
after the crash, so they gave me a full discharge. I still get a
pension, and VA medical benefits, so as I like to say, I’m still
making money from racing.”
After his recovery, he went back on the
IMCA circuit and became known as one of the most respected, “dry
slick”, daytime racers. “There was a lot of finesse involved with
daytime racing then,” he says. The Knoxville Nationals win came on
a day much to his liking, and was fortunate in another way. “We
set a new world record for a half-mile dirt track in qualifying,
but blew the motor. We went to Kansas City to get my block and
never would have gotten ready in time for a race on Saturday
night, so racing on Sunday afternoon saved us.” It was far from an
easy win, as he relates, “I fell back to about 8th
after starting on the pole, but we had some red flags which
allowed us to work back towards the front. The track was great for
a daytime race and I actually passed Lloyd Beckman on the outside
a few short laps from the end. That was probably my biggest thrill
in racing. Ted Hall was a great car owner and Beckman always
reminded me that I took “his” Nationals win away from him.”
Jay drove for some of the best car
owners in the business at the time. In addition to Hall, Heath and
Hamilton, others which employed the full time racer were Keith
Barker, Gary Moulins, “Speedy” Bill Smith and Hank Smith. He also
drove briefly for John Leverenz ( the famous “deuce” Joe Saldana
had driven to the 1970 Nationals crown), the R&H Farms # 40, and
for Taylor “Pappy” Weld and his son Greg Weld.
He drove on dirt and pavement, including
the infamous “Hills” of Winchester and Salem. He raced against,
Foyt, Parnelli and Mario, sometimes getting the best of them. He
held his own against his mentor, Harold Leep and Buzz Barton, Jan
Opperman and the Welds, Leavitt and Sutcliffe, Saldana, Goodwin
and Beckman. He was one of the most respected professionals in the
business, and is credited with helping many drivers get started.
He raced at a time when true character,
and characters, were so evident in the sport. “We were all
competitors, and we’d stand our ground with each other”, says
Woodside of that special time. “Oh, we may knock each other on
their ass after a race, but then we’d have a beer, get into our
truck and ride home together.” One such incident that brings a
hearty laugh from Jay involved a “squaring off” of himself and
Dick Sutcliffe. “ I was about 6’3” and Dick about 6’6” and we were
both burly guys. We get into it a little and here comes Joe
Saldana, all 5’5” of him, getting between us, trying to play
peacemaker. The sight of that cracked us all up.”
His last sprint car win came aboard Bill
Smith’s famous # 4x, at Beatrice, NE. and one of his career
highlights came in 1977, when he won the first “Chet Wilson
Memorial”, driving for Jerry Wilson. He drove his last dirt champ
car race in 1980 and ended his career in 1984, in a stock car
co-owned with his son Randy.
How does Jay assess his career? “ Well,
I raced all over the country, against the best drivers of the
time, sometimes beating them. I think I would have had a good shot
at Indy, which was my dream, before I got hurt. Those roadsters
were beautiful cars, but by the time I could get there, it was
time for the “funny” cars to take over. Maybe, I should have spent
more time racing for championships instead of racing from place to
place, but I had so many great experiences where-ever I went, and
I think traveling made me a better driver, although I didn’t have
the championships to back it up. I was fortunate to race with
three generations of drivers…Foyt, what a competitor!, and that
group. Then, the late 60’s and into the 70’s, so many great
drivers, Opperman was the best I ever raced with in sprints, and
what a great guy! And I raced against Steve Kinser when he
started, so I’ve had a full, happy career. “
“I’ve made so many friends, and had so
many great relationships with folks I’ve known through racing.”
Jay and his wife, Pat, reside in
Wichita, KS. traveling to as many races as possible. Jay has been
inducted into many Halls of Fame, in recognition of his racing
accomplishments. Among them are the Knoxville Raceway, Belleville
Highbanks and 81 Speedway in Wichita.
His body of work speaks for itself, Jay
Woodside deserves recognition alongside his peers at One Sprint
Car Place in Knoxville. |
