P-2: AT HOME WITH SAMMY SWINDELL; FROM the BEGINNING

[@jaredmiller3428]

Slammin Sammy. Man of few words but a badass.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

A true American badass for sure...thanks Jared. HMM

[@jonathankenton7182]

I remember watching Sammy when I about 4 years old in 75 at riverside.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Awesome story! When I was there, a buddy took me out to Riverside Speedway to get a look at the ole girl...super-cool track. Thanks..HMM

[@brettmiller7984]

Love these trips down memory lane. I grew up in Central PA in the 80’s and loved when the Outlaws came to town. Steve, Sammy and Wolfgang were larger than life to a teenage kid.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks Brett. I'm looking for some trips this summer. Any ideas who I might interview in PA? I can see a History Mystery Man/Gettysburg adventure in my future. HMM

[@john_linder]

@@HistoryMysteryMan In central PA, Bobby Allen would make a great interview! It's truly amazing what he did with that team.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

@@john_linder I'll keep trying on Allen...thanks!

[@randybradford3675]

He's such a kind soft spoken gentleman, but something changes when he's on the track,I love that! I'm afraid his time limited on the track, golly I hate getting old, he's my all time favorite driver

[@Deerslyr81]

He’s a legend. Mike ward is mine! Cotton bowl Byhalia ms b cars!!!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Sammy did some serious talking on the track! Thanks for watching...HMM

[@robertayers9424]

Thanks again !

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're welcome Robert...anytime! HMM

[@mariebeasley1269]

The 1st Outlaw race I attended was at Grandview Speedway. Stop to see Sammy and right away he started up a conversation that lasted about 20 minutes. Became a Swindell fan forever

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Whoa! You got 20 minutes with Sammy!? You're one of the lucky ones! Thanks again, Marie...HMM

[@ralphsmith4215]

Thanks so much for the work you do, I'm 62 and love these features about these guys that I've been watching for so many years!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're welcome Ralph; thanks for taking the time to watch. HMM

[@Heckofadeal]

Another great one !!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again! HMM

[@ronaldgraves5401]

We are losing the true drivers who built and maintain there cars Sammy is a notable champion!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

I'll but that! Thanks Ronald...HMM

[@beberle9641]

HMM road trip to talk with a living and still racing legend. Priceless thanks Don. 🏁 Brian 👍

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again, sir. Gotta another, longer road trip I'm trying to plan. HMM

[@rogerozdarski2935]

Thank you HMM, a great video. Can't wait for part 3.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks Roger...it gets even better in Part 3. HMM

[@shellycasbeer3775]

The best 4 days of my life were at the Gold Cup in the late 90s or maybe 2000, I was hanging out at the track with Joe Hill and Sam Swindell. My goodness I cannot give you a clear enough description of the fabulous time I had. Truly the two were like having my grandpa with me at the track. I'd never met Sammy's dad before but he was the most adorable and kind man. It meant everything to me because Sammy has always been my favorite driver. Me Joe Hill and Sam Sr. Sprint cars what else could be better!!!!!!!!....

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

That's a fantastic story! This is, in part, why I do this...to hear all your awesome memories from the track. I have similar memories growing up at the track...pure magic! Thanks for watching Shelly...HMM

[@sprintcar-acematt5175]

I remember Joe Hill at West Capitol Raceway with his Dura-Bilt Transmission car. Number 96 I believe. Great memories.

[@shellycasbeer3775]

@@sprintcar-acematt5175 You are correct. There was no place like west cap. Those were absolutely amazing years. Sorry to see it go!! My family had season tickets there til it closed. One of the saddest days for the Sacramento racing community. Glad to hear that people still remember that fast racetrack. Great memories...........

[@shellycasbeer3775]

@@sprintcar-acematt5175 Actually Joe Hil was #97 and Nick Rescino was #96

[@ronstewart9792]

Such an awesome video. Thanks so much Ron.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're welcome Ron; thanks again! HMM

[@bobblair4046]

Bravo HMM!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks Bob...greatly appreciated! HMM

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

@@fbfan387 Around a dozen or so, give or take...thanks.

[@americonoffroadadventures8132]

Great storys! Thx Don

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're always welcome...thanks for watching! HMM

[@Casper1tfg]

We spent every Saturday night at Riverside and then when Lakeland opened up we were there on Friday nights and some Sundays when they had a big money race going. Those were the great days of racing. Sam Swindell, Hooker Hood, Joe Holley, Bobby Davis, Elmer Gray and many others I no longer can recall. Riverside is still going strong but Lakeland went by the way side years ago and now there's a big church where the track used to be. Lots of memories of those times..

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Great memories; thanks for sharing them here. And thanks for watching! HMM

[@gareth9538]

HMM these are great videos, so well put together, the start with the pictures is a nice intro, Am sure Sammy approves , he comes across as a real gentleman . 👍

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks Gareth...so appreciated. HMM

[@tomfuller7401]

Thanks Don for part 2 with Sammy. I enjoyed hearing him telling about his racing career. Quit a guy. Be looking for part 3.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Part 3 will be the best! Thanks again, Tom...HMM

[@briannicholson5917]

Fantastic

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks Brian! HMM

[@yt650]

Along with my sons, I saw Sammy Swindell at LernerVille Speedway, many times with the world of outlaws. And it wasn’t hard to notice for me, anyhow that the event started out in the daytime, and everybody was jovial and smiling, but when showtime came in the feature, it was better than a old west gun fight. And sometimes it was close to that with sprint cars, I don’t mean dirty racing. I mean they wanted to win and they used everything that the car had to offer.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Another great story...thanks for sharing it here! And thanks for watching...HMM

[@robertparker2711]

Grew up watching tbis guy. Awsome racer...

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

For sure...and one super smart dude. Thanks Robert. HMM

[@robertparker2711]

@@HistoryMysteryMan I remember the Thursday night ESPN races...loved seeing the Ford do good in arizonia

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

@@robertparker2711 Thursday Night Thunder was the best! HMM

[@joeshmoe1585]

Excellent !

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again, JoeShmoe! HMM

[@frederickfranz2613]

enjoyed very much

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks very much! HMM

[@LgnSknks541]

Sammy and that blue Channelock car were such a huge part of my childhood. I'll never forget him disputing a race result at Cottage Grove Oregon by whipping his car sideways to a stop at the flag stand. Had the crowd going CRAZY. 😆 And as quite and reserved as Sammy is, he always made time for an autograph and a picture every year they came through.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Super cool story! Thanks for sharing it here...and thanks for watching! HMM

[@jeffhyde7934]

Awesome interview, I learned so much about Mr. Swindell! The only thing I can say is this, snap on is NOT the best. Lol!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks Jeff. What is the best tool manufacturer? HMM

[@jeffhyde7934]

Just about everyone I know, has Matco. Lol

[@RichValentine1972]

What most people don’t know, these guys sometimes raced 5 nights a week, and for very little money or no money. They put their heart and soul into the sport they loved. I’m proud to have grown up around the world of racing. My dad was a set up man for a team, a pit Stuart and a track Stuart in south east Wisconsin.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Cool stuff...thanks for sharing your stories here! And thanks for watching...HMM

[@drewpierce2273]

You have probably noticed it yourself that body size of Sam Swindell and Kinser and a few others driving powerful, but awful handling Sprint Cars , developed broad shoulders and upper arm strength from what it took to manhandle the cars. Little guys like Larson and Gravel, while very talented, have the advantage of better chassis and easier handling cars. And that's also why still growing teens can win sprint car races. It still takes skill, but not the physical effort of the 70s and 80s, in my opinion. It's more reason to appreciate Sammy Swindell and more like him.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Very well said Drew; I could not agree more. It was a lot harder to wheel a sprinter back in Sammy's day for sure. Thanks for watching...HMM

[@HootisGarage]

I first saw Donny when he was a 15yr old kid running the Midwest. I saw him 5yrs later at an Outlaw show and he looked like a football player.

[@kevpanazzolo7300]

Hey History man. Now you’ve interviewed Steve Kinser & Sammy Swindell, wondering if you have any intention to complete the Big 3 by interviewing Doug Wolfgang?

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

@@kevpanazzolo7300 Definitely trying to get Wolfgang, but I'm hearing he doesn't want to do it...I'll keep trying, thanks.

[@extramile150]

Wolfgang too...upper strength.

[@speedwaystevecronk6680]

Outstanding Video again ! Learning more about Sammy and gaining even more respect, so glad he allowed you to do the interviews and at his home also! All of thing things in racing he has seen and done, along with what he has had to deal with and still going at " Elbow's Up " . Kevin had his bad crash but still going, the team wins at Chili Bowl this year. Brother Jeff may make a good interview also, refining the bleeder's for the tires that almost all are using now days. Thank You for all the camera / edit work I am ready for Part 3 and more.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're welcome Steve; thanks for taking the time to watch. Part 3, I believe, is going to be the best! HMM

[@mistyfalin5445]

I remember when you won at Eldora

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Swindell was a good at winning just about everywhere. Gotta love the Big E! Thanks for checking out my video...HMM

[@wideslammer]

Sammy's a quiet person, but you coaxed a smile and chuckle out of when he was talking about not having any bad midget habits. You also got a few more later in the interview. Good news --- there's a part 3 to follow. I'll be anxious to hear the answer to your last question.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again. Part 3, I believe is the best to come! HMM

[@nitetime395]

Thanks, I sense you have to pull out the stories of Sammy because he doesn't like to talk about himself.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Sammy really loosens up in the upcoming third video. Thanks for watching! HMM

[@tonyweist3325]

Great innovator I think he put a power steering unit on a sprint car off of a fork lift. Developed independent front end suspension for sprint cars that used A frames made out of tubes. 1 of the big 3 sprint car drivers of the World of Outlaws in the early years. Kinda got a bad rap with the fans in the pits because he was so focused on why he was there and what he was doing that he was aloof and that came across as unfriendly. And that's a shame because off the track he was nice to talk to. Glad you done this one H.M.M.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Great point on the judgement regarding Sammy. We talk about that very subject in the next episode...Sammy explains it very well. Thanks for watching Tony...stop by anytime...HMM

[@HootisGarage]

I love he’s got the midgets at the house.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

I know...so cool! Thanks for watching Paul...HMM

[@alanm2842]

i wish you could ask him when power steering came along in sprint cars

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Well...it came in 1970 in the USAC Sprint Car tour, so somewhere in there. Thanks...HMM

[@alanm2842]

@@HistoryMysteryMan I bet Sammy started with out power steering. When he got it he probably said this is easy now

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

@@alanm2842 Yep...first few seasons he raced he did not have power steering.

[@davidthurman8772]

It seems like I’m hearing way more of the interviewer than I am from Sammy. When asking questions it’s better to listen and not interrupt the guest.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Still learning the tricks of the trade.

[@christianmayhew2617]

1984 I was stationed at NAS Millington and every Saturday I made the trek to Riverside Speedway.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Gotta be great memories you have from Riverside; thanks for watching...HMM

[@christianmayhew2617]

@@HistoryMysteryMan Outstanding memories. I have plenty of pictures too, all taken with my new at the time Canon AE-1.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

@@christianmayhew2617 Those must be outstanding photos!

[@chadhall5921]

Pretty cool episode. Would’ve been better if Sammy had a personality he always acts like he just don’t have time for anyone

[@strumbum946]

Being “soft spoken” is Sammy’s personality. The same could be said about Mark Martin when he was Racing, and another awesome Dirt Race Car driver Scott Bloomquist. Their personalities were always “constantly focused.” Neither of them were/are huge talkers…

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Exactly strumburn946. Besides...Sammy did most of his talking on the track. Thanks...HMM

[@strumbum946]

@@HistoryMysteryMan - Thank you again for your content. It’s very rare to get Sammy to sit down and talk about his life and experiences…