Covering Figure 8 Racing News From Around The USA
ANDERSON OUTLAW FINISH - OCTOBER 11, 2008
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FIGURE 8 WORLD MOURNS LOSS OF LEGEND BLANKENSHIP
By David Sink
The Figure 8 community was saddened to learn of the passing of short track legend Darwin Blankenship on April 22, 2011.
Blankenship, born July 17, 1941, was said to be one of the toughest competitors ever raced against by many of his peers. His fearless demeanor behind the wheel made him a natural when it came to Figure 8 racing. Although Figure 8 racing was only a small part of his career, it was where he gained most of his success in racing.
The New Castle, IN resident started racing in 1960. His first night behind the wheel didn't go as expected. Driving for car owner, Clayton Nunn, Blankenship found himself stopping at the intersection almost every lap.The Anderson Speedway Figure 8 intersection was filled with heavy traffic nearly every time Blankenship approached it. The young 18 year-old Blankenship was intimidated to say the least. Blankenship was determined to erase his nact of stopping at the intersection. To help rid Blankenship of his fears, Nunn cut the brake line just before the start of the second feature event that night. Blankenship ended up destroying the car but had rid his fear of the intersection.
Blankenship drove several different types of cars throughout his career including: Late Models,Sprint Cars, Modifieds, Street Stocks, and Legends among others. "Hook", as friends called him, ran dirt as well as pavement during his illustrious career. Blankenship was given the opportunity to compete a handful of times with the American Speed Association (ASA).
Although Blankenship was highly successful in oval racing, his true calling was as a Figure 8 driver. Blankenship captured four National Crown events. He was victorious in '73,'80,'86, and 1988. Blankenship also captured the Anderson Speedway Figure 8 championship on four occasions. Other victories include the 1988 Budweiser Figure Championship at Charlestown,IN and a 1986 Red, White, and Blue series win.
Blankenship was a throwback driver of days gone by. Rumor has it he was once bet a guy he could eat a light bulb and indeed he did. He was highly popular and a fan favorite his entire career. He had aspirations of bigger and better things but realized getting to NASCAR would require a huge sponsor. He was content with being a career short tracker and his record can be matched with most any driver of his era.
Anderson sprint car driver, Bob Leever, asked Blankenship if he would be interested in a relief driving role in the 1975 Little 500.
By David Sink
The Figure 8 community was saddened to learn of the passing of short track legend Darwin Blankenship on April 22, 2011.
Blankenship, born July 17, 1941, was said to be one of the toughest competitors ever raced against by many of his peers. His fearless demeanor behind the wheel made him a natural when it came to Figure 8 racing. Although Figure 8 racing was only a small part of his career, it was where he gained most of his success in racing.
The New Castle, IN resident started racing in 1960. His first night behind the wheel didn't go as expected. Driving for car owner, Clayton Nunn, Blankenship found himself stopping at the intersection almost every lap.The Anderson Speedway Figure 8 intersection was filled with heavy traffic nearly every time Blankenship approached it. The young 18 year-old Blankenship was intimidated to say the least. Blankenship was determined to erase his nact of stopping at the intersection. To help rid Blankenship of his fears, Nunn cut the brake line just before the start of the second feature event that night. Blankenship ended up destroying the car but had rid his fear of the intersection.
Blankenship drove several different types of cars throughout his career including: Late Models,Sprint Cars, Modifieds, Street Stocks, and Legends among others. "Hook", as friends called him, ran dirt as well as pavement during his illustrious career. Blankenship was given the opportunity to compete a handful of times with the American Speed Association (ASA).
Although Blankenship was highly successful in oval racing, his true calling was as a Figure 8 driver. Blankenship captured four National Crown events. He was victorious in '73,'80,'86, and 1988. Blankenship also captured the Anderson Speedway Figure 8 championship on four occasions. Other victories include the 1988 Budweiser Figure Championship at Charlestown,IN and a 1986 Red, White, and Blue series win.
Blankenship was a throwback driver of days gone by. Rumor has it he was once bet a guy he could eat a light bulb and indeed he did. He was highly popular and a fan favorite his entire career. He had aspirations of bigger and better things but realized getting to NASCAR would require a huge sponsor. He was content with being a career short tracker and his record can be matched with most any driver of his era.
Anderson sprint car driver, Bob Leever, asked Blankenship if he would be interested in a relief driving role in the 1975 Little 500.
. Power steering in sprint cars wasn't common in 1971 and it was normal practice to have a relief driver on standby. Leever recognized Blankenship's talents even though he had never driven a sprint car. Blankenship practiced the Leever car all week in preparation of his relief driving role.
When the race started, Blankenship was quickly called upon. He found himself relief driving for Lapel driver, Chuck Mosley, not Leever as originally planned. Blankenship drove laps 96-110 and laps 163-208 before mechanical issues sidelined him. Blankenship would eventually take over for Leever as planned on lap 353-449. Blankenship crashed out on lap 449 after loosing his brakes. When the dust had settled, Blankenship had completed a total of 156 total laps in two different cars. Not bad for a driver who had never raced a sprint car prior to that 1975 Little 500.
Blankenship hadn't competed on a regular basis since the 2003 season. But, Blankenship could be seen many nights’s helping longtime friend Gene Cook with wrecker duties. The Figure 8 world has lost a true legend.
Calling will be at Macer-Hall Funeral Home, 600 S Main St, in New Castle from 4 to 9 pm on Tuesday, April 26th with the funeral on Wednesday, April 27th at 2pm. Burial will follow at Green Hills Memory Gardens west of New Castle. Memorials may be directed to the Darwin Blankenship Fund in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be made to www.macerhall.com
When the race started, Blankenship was quickly called upon. He found himself relief driving for Lapel driver, Chuck Mosley, not Leever as originally planned. Blankenship drove laps 96-110 and laps 163-208 before mechanical issues sidelined him. Blankenship would eventually take over for Leever as planned on lap 353-449. Blankenship crashed out on lap 449 after loosing his brakes. When the dust had settled, Blankenship had completed a total of 156 total laps in two different cars. Not bad for a driver who had never raced a sprint car prior to that 1975 Little 500.
Blankenship hadn't competed on a regular basis since the 2003 season. But, Blankenship could be seen many nights’s helping longtime friend Gene Cook with wrecker duties. The Figure 8 world has lost a true legend.
Calling will be at Macer-Hall Funeral Home, 600 S Main St, in New Castle from 4 to 9 pm on Tuesday, April 26th with the funeral on Wednesday, April 27th at 2pm. Burial will follow at Green Hills Memory Gardens west of New Castle. Memorials may be directed to the Darwin Blankenship Fund in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be made to www.macerhall.com
