Springsteen to Dirt Track Hall of Fame

Jay Springsteen has recorded many firsts in his storied career and his induction into the Dirt Track Hall of Fame is yet another chapter. “Springer,” as he is affectionately known by his legions of fans will become the first active racer inducted into the Dirt Track Hall of Fame.Sprinsteen burst onto the AMA Grand National trail as a Michigan Mafia rookie expert in 1975, and it didn’t take him long to showcase his talents. At Louisville, in only his fifth Grand National race, Springer won his first National. and as if to prove it wasn’t a fluke, he won again the next week at Harrington, Delaware. Springer went on to finish a remarkable third in Camel Pro Grand National Points that year. He was snapped up by the Harley-Davidson factory team in the off season, and in 1976 he won six Nationals and was crowned the Grand National Champion.

Springsteen’s winning ways propelled him to the Grand National Championship three years in a row, and his flamboyant style and confident swagger endeared him to the fans. In 1979, he fell pray to a mysterious stomach problem that would plague him through what could have been the best years of his career. It was a tough 10 years on one of the greatest dirt trackers ever, but his passion for the sport never waned. He fought through the illness to set the all-time National win record at 40.

Today, Springer at 45 years old is one of the most respected racers on the AMA Grand National circuit, and he is still competitive.

Springsteen will be inducted at the Dirt Track Hall of Fame Banquet on Friday night August 2 at 7 p.m. at the Clubhouse on the State Fairgrounds in Harrington. The Dave Despain-emceed Banquet will honor the “Heroes Of The Half-Mile” and induct the class of 2002 into the Dirt Track Hall of Fame. Will Davis will be posthumously inducted along with two other inductees who will be announced in the upcoming weeks.

Advance tickets to the Hall of Fame Banquet are available to the public by calling 304-749-8418.

The Dirt Track Hall of Fame Progressive Insurance Grand National Race presented by Quality Checked Pre-owned Ford, will be held the following evening on the Harrington Half-Mile, Saturday, August 3, 2002. The $50,000 AMA Progressive Insurance Grand National Hall of Fame Race has been moved to Harrington to coincide with this year’s theme, “Heroes Of The Half-Mile.”

For more information on the Hall of Fame Race presented by Quality Checked Pre-owned Ford and for the Hall of Fame Banquet call 304-749-8418.