Doug Wolfgang "His Story"

Doug Wolfgang "His Story" By Kevin Kjergaard and Mark Johnson

[@brandonrumley8322]

DOUG IS A ABSOLUTE CLASS ACT. HE IS ALWAYS HUMBLE AND KIND.HE ALWAYS HAD TIME FOR HIS FANS AND TREATED EACH AND EVERYONE OF THEM AS THEY ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON AT THAT MOMENT IN TIME.THESE YOUNG DRIVERS NEED TO WATCH SOME OF DOUGS INTERVIEWS AND LEARN HOW TO CARRY ONES SELF THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DID FOR THE SPORT OF SPRINTCAR RACING THERE'S ONLY A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE WHO ARE TRUE LEGANDS AMONG MEN AND YOU HAVE YOUR PLACE AT THAT TABLE THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

[@nathangannon5933]

I have mnay fond memories of Sammy a7 Jeff Swindell , Mark & Steve Kinser, Andy Hillenburg and Keith Kauffman, Stevie Smith and the ever humble Doug Wolfgang put on a hell of a show once a year when the WOO made their presence known at the track i was fortunate to live in the same town as "The House of Power" OCFS in Middletown, NY. Now don't get me wrong Larson, Grant, Bell, Abreu and their gang are great but the Old Timers were the innovators and always , always put on a heel of a show. Ah the good old days. Oh yes i can't forget Donny Shatz

[@troyw1000]

Back in the day I saw Wolfgang win many races. I truly think he was the greatest, most talented sprint car driver ever. I mean the dude just never wrecked! And the way he would work his way to the front was unreal.

[@billschaefer3818]

The first 5-10 years he did wreck alot. Ask Knoxville Ia. people when Wolfie showed up there in Bob Trosel Cars, Wolfie designed the Cars that Bob was building.

[@obsessioniskey]

Watched Doug for many years at husets, Jackson, few times in fairmont and down at Knoxville. What a class act and great sportsman

[@David-mp4ei]

I am very fortunate to have seen Wolfie drive a sprint car true champion 🏆

[@terrywillis5784]

Much respect for this humble race car driver. I enjoyed watching him race !!!

[@546cowboy6]

A friend of mine got me started watching dirt track races in the 1980's and the guy I really liked was Doug Wolfgang. It seemed they would invert the field and put him at the back a lot. Then he would come to the front and win it was a thrill to watch. When he had the fire and almost died to never race again I lost interest in dirt.

[@bobnorcutt4786]

I always respected Doug for the simple reason the first thing he did when he got out of the car no mater how the race went for him he thanked the fans for comeing to the track that night. thank you Doug for many good memories!

[@michaellooper6829]

Still one of the best

[@richardfisher2778]

I,ll never Forget 1985 The Weikert Era, That Was Best Thing Ever Happened to Central Pa

[@pkell7315]

Do you remember the Hippie Jan Opperman ?

[@terryroberson2658]

Watched many laps that Doug took around the tracks for many years. He is not just a good driver! He is truly a good man

[@t2fast]

My brother was crew chief for Wolfie when he drove Gary Stanton Duz Mor #40 Sprint car. They stopped at our house during the midweek to get the car ready so Doug stayed with us at our house. I headed down to Kings Speedway in Hanford California with Wolfie and my brother Richard Brown in the race car hauler. Wolfie is a character and we laughed all the way down. Well he won the main and we headed to San Jose after that. We did not fair so well in San Jose but that was ok as we were still stoked about the King's Speedway. But the best part of this two weeks with Doug Wolgang was when he handed my mom the trophy from the win and told her it was the winning wash my mom gave his race suit was the reason we won. He also gave my brother the gold sprint car ring he won for the main. I have been lucky to meet so many top sprint car owner and drivers as well as nascar and nhra drivers and owners from my families deep love and connection to the roots of racing in California that I feel blessed. This is a true an honest account and if you ask Wolfie he will say yes it is all true.

[@rustyduktape]

incredible story! thanks for sharing.

[@t2fast]

@@rustyduktape my pleasure. My brother Richard Brown was also Brad Doty's crew chief on the Dozmor the following season when Brad was paralyzed. That was a dark day for all and my brother was really shuck as he was very close to Brad and his family.

[@joshpitts7256]

​@@t2fast Hey Toby," I was a big Wolfie Fan . My Buddy and I climbed through the hole in the fence in turn 4 when Brad's wreck happened coming off of turn 2 Eldora . He has a piece of the tubing of the car from the wreck .. If I remember right it says Challenger on it . That was a terrible night . Never forget it.

[@t2fast]

@@joshpitts7256 that was a horrific accident. My brother was Brads crew chief still working for Gary Stanton's Duzmor car. My brother was also dating Brad's sister at the time. Bro was devastated for quite a while after that.

[@klyter21]

I remember Doug well here in Central PA running the Weikert #29. I am (was) a big Keith Kauffman fan and he was driving the Hamilton #77 at the time. Between the two of them, they won a PILE of races. In 1985 alone, they combined to win about 90 races, not much left for anyone else. That Wolfgang/Weikert team was one of, if not the best team of all-time IMO!!

[@robertfowler6721]

Kevin Lyter 4

[@loripotter6296]

I remember all of that also...he was always so cool, calm and collected...drove like he was going for groceries.

[@pkell7315]

Seeing him at port and the grove

[@pkell7315]

Do you remember the Hippie racing Jan Opperman ?

[@frederickmaier1130]

A true legend in Sprint Car Racing.

[@bja5150]

This was awesome..took me back to those early days as a kid when I used to see Doug race. One of the best

[@Terry-uc5zx]

U R THEE MAN! THANK U FOR THE GREAT SHOWS!!!!! DOUGIE#1 ALWAYS!!!!!!

[@ramboonetwoone8371]

Doug Wolfgang was the MAN! I grew up in the 80's in Texas and used to love to watch him & all the Outlaws when they would come to the Devils Bowl in Dallas or Battleground in Houston. Thanks for sharing this video.

[@Bob-d5j]

I grew up in western Pennsylvania in the 60’s and watched sprint cars at Sharon Speedway. Back then the Outlaws hadn’t formed yet but every now and again guys like Johnny Beaber and Rick Ferkel would show up to race against the local guys like Lou Blaney, Ralph Quarterson, Buddy Cochran and too many more to list here. I moved to Houston in 1979 and started going to Big H Motor Speedway on the northeast side of town. In 1980 or 81 I saw the best sprint car race I had ever seen before or since. Doug Wolfgang, Sammy Swindell, and Steve Kinser went toe to toe like heavyweight boxers for 35 laps. Each took turns leading the race and none of them built a lead that couldn’t be overcome. When the dust finally settled Swindell came away with the win followed by Wolfgang and Kinser. After the race the crowd just stood in awe of what they had just witnessed. Three of the greatest Sprint Car drivers going hard at each other but never making contact hard enough to wreck. Much respect for each other. I’ll always remember that race as the best I’ve ever seen.

[@murraywest198]

RESPECT!

[@im4our312]

I met Doug Wolfgang in Chico California and I will tell you that he is a great Man and a great human being. Class and Brains.

[@markmnorcal]

IM4 OUR He quit coming to California.

[@jeffomspaugh6691]

I've gotten to meet most of the big names of sprint car racing. I think my greatest memory was hanging with Doug.

[@powerchoke77]

This man was truly one of the best sprintcar drivers. Watched him as a kid at Eldora & Millstream Speedway in Ohio.

[@markmnorcal]

powerchoke77 He didn't run much here in California.

[@simflyr1957]

What a trip watching this video has been for me. I am 63 and been around dirt tracks my whole life. In my younger day I helped a friend build I a street stock for local 3/8th dirt track. I live ½ mile from Raceway 7 in Conneaut, OH. I used to drive the Firetruck (a GMC 4x4 P/U) and have chased Late Models back in days before radios and transceivers. Next season for the first time I am Fulfilling a Dream. I am 63 I am going to drive a front wheel drive "min-stock". LOL this should be a trip. While I have drove anything rear and 4x4 and up ( including my 35 years as truck driver) I have never been around the track in front wheel drive. OH... and BTW, Watched Doug MANY times at Sharon in Hartford, OH (home of The Blaneys) and Lernerville.

[@MrChill156]

Doug Wolgang is an absolute true driver, back when men DROVE ill handling monsters of cars. Watching these guys as a kid at Syracuse on the Mile blew my mind as well as the Historical Big One at Eldora. I grew up around the time in the late 80's when Thursday Night Thunder or Saturday Night Thunder was on, back when Open Wheel magazine arrived monthly at my house. The good ole days

[@tokentonyg]

I LOVED watching him as a kid at the fairgrounds in West Fargo ND. Just an all around GREAT racer!

[@demi12342002]

To all the thumbs down on this historic awesome clip, heard one person say that they dislike every you tube video they watch, even if they liked it in real life, so that they don’t get similar videos in their recommendations. That person is an idiot, but it happens.

[@frankrio9804]

You are the man! You took my heart many years ago ! And still rides with You !!! Love you ! Frank Rio ...Florida!!!!!

[@extramile150]

excellent...he's still one of the best I've ever seen and was lucky to know when he ran for Weikert.

[@robertpcrowther]

Wolfgang is the best interview in racing, so honest so down to earth

[@albatraoz1257]

I remember watching Doug Wolfgang at Wilmot when he toyed with the MSA. Great driver, great crew, great car!

[@tomjones3900]

One of the best !

[@jasonheppler6209]

The first time I seen DW was at husets Speedway in Brandon SD, or in Sioux Falls it was in the mid 80's and I remember when he had his crash in Kansas cause it was all over the local news, he was one of the best racers of the time, thank God I got to see him race in person and I can say he is the reason I would love to go racing again

[@formerfarmer1718]

My time with following sprint car racing started in 2007 with the Knoxville Nationals. Too late to ever see DW, unfortunately for me. But that’s my loss. DW, in this interview, shows me the honesty and earthiness of how great this person truly was and I missed it! Thanks for this video………

[@nicknelson544]

I had the incredible please of watching Wolfe run the back row challenge at Rapids Speedway in Rock Rapids IA in the early 2k’s and it was a race I will never forget. Not only did he start from the back row but he lapped all but about 2nd or 3rd place in like 20 laps. I don’t remember if it was that night or another night when I got to see Rico for the first time.

[@fanoflakespeed9460]

We missed you greatly and did not know about the neck injury . I too broke my neck in superkart. It took a couple years to heal and was able to go back racing. Good luck to you and remember the Gambler 18

[@jimheckert5383]

Thanks Doug. You are one kool man. 🍀🇺🇸🍀

[@KenGrove-i1j]

Loved watching him race in Central Pennsylvania

[@1USACitizen192]

Such a classy, honest guy.

[@lynnhardyjr4383]

I was at Big H Speedway (in Houston) for his return to racing. Everyone in attendance that knew if his injuries were in awe of his perseverance.

[@carmenbayliss6998]

the goat. 'as much as a stud as u r at writing it;s hard to believe how good of a rock star u r, it's hard to be a stud at two or more things rob mcCuen. you're a stud!

[@matthewlundrideordie8151]

Thx u so much for posting this !!!!

[@robertjackson8020]

Doug Wolfgang I love sprint car raceing if it wasn't for you and Steve Kinser and Sammy Swindell us race fans wouldn't be able to go to world of outlaws sprint car series shows and cheer for you and Sammy Swindell and Steve Kinser 🏁🏁🏁

[@stephenscaggs6018]

Wolfie. Calm Cool Smooth and Fast !!

[@johncrane2276]

Doug ur still the "MAN" in my eyes

[@davidvanbrunt4233]

Such a humble guy....

[@DirtTrackRacing410]

Gang gang

[@ryandowning2956]

Dudes one of the greatest cause in 4 of his 5 Knoxville wins he had different owners and he was 4 spots away from making it 7 of 8

[@papaike2]

I never got to see Wolfie race but at the Devils Bowl track in Texas where I went most of the time he was one of their favorites.

[@ziggadawigga]

papaike2 he always says he loves that track and when you wreck there you find out what you're made of.

[@papaike2]

Well I love that track as well, just sorry I didn't get to see him race but his fans told me he was the best.

[@jeffomspaugh6691]

I got to hang out by the pool a a hotel in Phoenix the Sunday day after he flipped into the junk yard off 3 and 4 at Manzanita at the Western World Nationals. Such a cool guy.

[@matthewlundrideordie8151]

protect your 2nd ..... i remember that nite. We were actually there supporting "" the tempe tornado "" leland mcspadden. I sure do miss manzy. Btw my thumb nail is me at manzy !!!! Thank you lord for letting race that hallowed ground !!!

[@Greg-nq4dj]

I first remember seeing him and the vice grip car at Calistoga he was one of the guys to beat

[@grayghost0]

Omg i miss sprint car racing

[@mountmepython2206]

Didn't like reporters cause they didn't have anything bad to say about him, but I don't think there was anything bad to say. Good ol Devil's Bowl, man I miss that old track. It has changed so much since then.

[@michaellooper6829]

He was a great guy

[@ziggadawigga]

@bobhadababy it's a boy they do not use an electric fuel pump. They use a mechanical pump that runs off the back of the camshaft. When Doug crashed his foot broke the on/off fitting which was then on the pump between the drivers legs. The "Wolfie valve" was designed to shut fuel flow off in the event that this sort of situation happened again.

[@snipe69r]

is that valve used throughout Sprint car racing now?

[@joeenger352]

TangoSucka I believe so

[@MrDippy-nm7xp]

I know him personally super nice guy

[@kc5zmv32]

great man learnd alot from u

[@boblemon8337]

It was an honor to race with you at lakeside. The old lakeside ! But did you have to wink at me when we pushed off and you kicked my ass ??? Lolol your awesum brother.

[@jeremySchack]

#LEGEND

[@The_killer_Rebel_Richey]

Iv raced for many years and theres no doubt the wolfie device has saved my life. I will say this thoe - there needs to be some improvement. The way they wear setup (going off engine oil pressure) Had a design flaw. When a engine shuts down the oil pressure remains until the pressure bleeds off - The pressure does bleed off pretty fast. There is no issue with this design as long as the engine is shut down secs before the car goes upside down - allowing enf time for the pressure to bleed off. However - A engine - can run for a few sec upside down. So if a car goes upside down and runs just a few secs combined with slow oil pressure bleed off - this can lead to some fuel leaking out of the device and anyone with experience with these cars knows a lil methanol goes along way - They have updated and changed the device since this documentary... There no doubt this thing saved lifes.

[@brandym2685]

Hissing d jk NV m., m mm nm van,

[@kristymgmvmvglcisneyibutth3146]

Rebel Richey

[@frankdalla]

I think you can expect some fuel escaping, after all, the fuel line is full when the accident that severs it happens. What these valves are intended to do is to stop the uncontrolled flow of fuel so as not to feed a fire. And they do that far better than having nothing to stop uncontrolled fuel flow. Stop every drop? Cant be done. In the event that fire erupts from the inevitable leakage of a ruptured line, the onboard fire management can easily handle the line volume and working together with the in tank shut off, the days of huge inferno fires should be a thing of the past.

[@ChevyCoco]

Meow thank 💜 GBU

[@ziggadawigga]

Also jan. the fuel will keep running up to the pump due to gravity which is why it kept fueling the fire after his foot broke the fitting off.

[@janj0n]

I'm a little bit at a loss here. I'm sure folks here can help me understand. As I understand it, maybe wrongly, is that with mechanical fuel injection, the fuel flow depends totally and proportionally upon the engine being running and driving the pump that supplies the fuel. Also the fuel pump would not substantially allow fuel flow through it with the engine not running, by gravity with the car in a position after a mishap such that the tank is above where there may be a breach in the supply line. So did the engine keep running for a time in Doug's situation?

[@blainebarker]

+janj0n They use an electrical fuel pump which as long as there is power, the pump will continue to pump gas down the line which was disconnected and sitting on the floorboard of his car. You have to remember that the crash happened in 1992 or 1993. Alot has changed in car technology over the past 20+ years.

[@WeChallenge]

When he crashed his left foot broke the fuel line/ pump connection, letting the fuel free flow down from the tank bladder that was elevated above the broken fuel pump/line where the car came to rest.

[@WeChallenge]

I beg to differ on what you say Bob, manual fuel pumps are the standard for sprint cars. In Wolfie's car, the pump was located along the back of the power plant just past the throttle and brake pedal in the floor pan of the car,. powered mechanically by the back end of the engine's crankshaft next to the in and out box where the driveshaft connects the engine to the rear end. The only electric on a sprint comes from the magnetos which supply the spark for fuel ignition. Sprint cars have no battery, alternator, starter, etc. as a weight reducing measure, lighter equals faster.

[@frankdalla]

The fuel is gravity fed to the engine driven pump. And its no small supply line either. For methanol the minimum inside diameter is at least one half inch. That means if a delivery line is ruptured or a fitting broken a large amount of fuel can leak out in a hurry. This was the case with Doug's crash. The new safety valve in the tank now prevents free flow unless the engine is running and oil pressure is provided to open the valve.

[@davidjessee7701]

I saw Jeff Gordan beat wolfie and kinser when he was still a teenager...b4 hE went to NASCAR

[@northstarracing18d-4d]

Rip husets speedway

[@moneymakermike1989]

:-(

[@fivecitydirttracker4776]

WoO raced there in 2020 !! I believe Logan Shureheart #1s "W" on Fri & Kyle Larson #57 "W" on Sat.

[@dfuller968]

Them valves should have been made mandatory by the sanctioning bodies immediately.

[@chancevonfreund1156]

There was a huge lawsuit over the crash. I don't remember how it came out but Doug was in there way too long for sure. And there wasn't proper fire fighting equipment if my memory serves me right. 🏁

[@kc5zmv32]

get well stay well eh

[@boblemon8337]

I had a blast racing with Wolfe He used to wink at me right before he kicked My ass !!!@@ lol

[@naughtmoses]

Knoxville 1990.

[@Kevin_40]

he sure likes to talk a lot.

[@robertbawden1702]

12 slow learners

[@garylowry7731]

23 had the car but no skills

[@charlescross4393]

He reminds me of Putin lol