INDIANAPOLIIS – There are moments when we realize we are in the midst of something special, but so often the appreciation for a specific event or time comes only after a period of reflection.
That’s what came to mind as I read the brilliant new release Sammy! The combined work of Sammy Swindell, Bones Bourcier and Bob Mays, I was intrigued by the narration in part because I was fortunate enough to witness some of the stories captured in this work.
As sprint car racing has spread across the nation and developed a fan base few would have believed possible, one of those who deserves our thanks is Sammy Swindell.
A whole generation of sprint car fans can no longer imagine the sport without the world of the outlaws. Given the level of interest and packed grandstands, it’s easy to assume that World of Outlaws was destined to be a success from day one. Old timers can tell you that many racing organizations have come and gone, plagued by internal conflicts, poor marketing, an haphazard business plan and inefficient leadership.
Sammy Swindell at the Knoxville Nationals last August. (Photo by Paul Arch)
The Outlaws also needed time to gain a foothold. It began as a loose association of racers operating under a motto printed on event t-shirts proclaiming that the one rule was “Run Whatcha Brung”.
That gave way to stricter specifications and stricter organization. Today’s events are full-blown productions that emphasize entertainment and competition. However, in the early days there were questions about survival. Then came competing organizations, snafus, and other tax challenges. But here we are, and interest is greater than ever.
There are many who deserve credit for what happened and Ted Johnson and his cast are certainly at the forefront. No matter how one felt about Ted and his heavy-handed style, the bottom line is that the organization survived and built a cult following. However, the real stars were the racers and in this case it meant bringing together people from all parts of the country willing to try their luck with this new experiment. In the end it worked.
The early list was filled with a variety of future inductees into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame. That means there were the big three. Doug Wolfgang had cut his teeth in the upper Midwest and really made his name at Knoxville Raceway in Iowa.
As he grew into his role, Wolfgang was funny, outspoken, and articulate. Steve Kinser succeeded his father, who was an Indiana racing legend. Steve was a high school wrestling champion who was economical with words and never afraid to hit the pedal. Then there was Sammy Swindell. He followed his father into the rough and tumble racing scene at anchor in West Memphis, Ark.
When your home track was known as “The Ditch,” you had to know hand-to-hand combat. Sammy, like Steve Kinser, was not a garrulous man, but when he spoke he was not afraid to speak his mind. These three men came from different regions of the country, had different temperaments, and fought night after night for the same prize. Ted Johnson was presented with a present on a tray.
Back then, you felt like you had to choose a side. The debates often matched the intensity these three displayed on the track. Swindell was perhaps the most polarizing character of all.
One of the great things about Sammy’s new book is that he doesn’t shy away from expressing himself one bit. He is a highly intelligent person and has always approached the sport analytically. If you’re looking for salacious insider gossip, you really won’t find it here. If you want Sammy to endlessly pocket jabs against his regular rivals, that’s missing too.
What you get are his opinions and observations. You can agree or disagree at will, but after all, that’s his perspective. You’ll get a glimpse into those early days of the outlaw world, and for many this will be the culmination of the work. However, fewer and fewer fans know every day that he drove a full season in the NASCAR Truck Series and dabbled in stock cars.
Also recounting his days in Indy Car Racing where if you look with a clear eye you can see he was great. His attempt to bring a stick-block Pontiac to the Indianapolis 500 had even the most die-hard Steve Kinser fan cheering for him. It was truly a heroic effort. Yes, there was more to his life than sprint car racing.
But there was one aspect of Sammy’s career that even his biggest critics would begrudgingly admit — few were so meticulous in preparation and presentation. Sammy said something a few years ago that has stuck in my mind. Speaking about his overall approach, he said: “People often say I’m too serious about racing, but I think too many people aren’t serious enough.”
It’s a point worth considering.
When Sammy Swindell pulls into a racetrack, his team and cars are spotless. He even chromed his jacks. Swindell did this at a time when some race cars looked like they’d come second in a rock fight, and the rigs looked like they’d run a Street Stock C feature at the local fairground. That was good enough for a long time. That was the professionalism of many Sprintauto shops.
Sammy’s approach mirrored that of creators like Roger Penske. It’s easy. If you wanted outside support, you’d better represent this company in a way that makes them proud. Sammy raised the bar. Just take a mental inventory of many of Sammy’s most famous rides and you’ll get the picture. Everything was top notch and that alone changed the image of the sport for casual observers.
Sammy might be your favorite racer, or he might be the guy you cheered the hardest on. So be it. He’ll be the first to say that the most important thing was that you were there. Similarly, I don’t care where your allegiances stand, if you’re looking to reminisce about a golden age or gain some insight into the sport, you’ll find “Sammy!” a great read.
Get your copy from Coastal181.com.
This story appeared in the April 26, 2023 issue of SPEED SPORT Insider.
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