JACK HEWITT-All You Need is a Gas Pedal and Steering Wheel for Championships in Any Class!

[@brettmorley6522]

I was at a drivers meeting in 1992 or 93 at Premier Speedway, Warnambool. I was just a kid racing a shitty old sprint car that was off the track more than it was on and Jack Hewitt was the American Star most of the crowd had come to see. I was standing next to Jack when a well known Australian driver made a wise crack at my expense. As quick as a flash, Jack told the guy to "STFU and leave the kid alone". He became an instant hero to me. Here we are almost 30 years later and I can proudly say "Jack, you are still my hero. Thanks for sticking up for me".

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Wow! That's an awesome story! And I'm grateful you shared it here. This is, in part, why I do this...to hear these incredible stories. It would have been so cool to hear you tell that story inside the video. Thanks for your support Brett!

[@brettmorley6522]

@@HistoryMysteryMan Anytime. I now live in the US and work in Indiana quite often. Who knows, we may cross paths some time. Keep up the great work.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

See you at the track!

[@jimheckert5383]

Thanks Jack. Fantastic video. 🇺🇸

[@jimmyrecce8787]

Great great driver...and quite the character.....🏁🏁

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

All that and more...thanks again, Jimmy. HMM

[@gregmitchell4619]

Growing up at the track in central California in the 70's. There are a handful of drivers I call the best that drove a Sprint car . Jack is at the top of my list! Thanks for keeping us in your life.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again, Greg...HMM

[@shannonhovis7595]

Met Jack at chili bowl, he signed book for me and talked to me like he had known me my whole life! Awesome man! My hero!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

That's one of Hewitt's strong suits...so humble and down on the ground. If you have time for him, he's got time for you...everyone's best friend...smart. Thanks Shannon...HMM

[@Lake_Lover]

I'll never forget the first time I seen Jack @ the old Lawrenceburg track before it got modernized. The lights were on old telephone poles on the outside of the turns. There was no fencing around the turns. Jack was hot lapping went into the third turn and spun it, went up over the berm and backed it right into the light pole. Pole snapped and fell to the ground. The next thing you hear is the announcer "Track electrician to turn 3 please". My brother and I were cracking up. Time to go to the car for another beer. Watched Jack many a times - especially at Eldora, and yes he was always at his hauler greeting his fans. Drank a few beers with him. You can't talk dirt track sprint car racing without mentioning this guys name. He's as much a part of the rich sprint car history as any other big name - Kinser, Sammy, Wolfie, Haud, Mario, Foyt, Opperman, Jacobs, Schautz, Vogler, Smith etc. Jack is such a treat. Special guy.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Whoa! That's an awesome story! Thanks for sharing it here...so damn funny! That's, in part, why I do this...to hear your stories. Thanks for watching...HMM

[@davidvanbrunt4233]

What a great man....

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Absolutely! Thanks again, David; I appreciate your support...HMM

[@michaelflahive9297]

A great memory of mine when I was a teenager when they came with Tim green and Jak hordenchild and raced Australia

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Are you from Australia? Thanks for watching! HMM

[@kevinbresnahan3394]

I remember the first time I saw him at Pittsburgh motor speedway mid 80s all star sprints. Always read about him in open wheel magazine and his rim riding, well they were right. Unreal. They broke the mold after him. 👍.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

There's only one Jack Hewitt, and that will never change. #OldSchoolCool. Thanks Kevin...HMM

[@robertayers9424]

I've learned that in each video you drop a little about your story. I think people would enjoy that interview too . As always your efforts are greatly appreciated! Happy Trails

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

I suppose everyone has a story to tell. Thanks for noticing, Robert...HMM

[@aveorlando7805]

So kind of him to truly appreciate his fans,,,awesome to hear how genuine he is 🤗

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

He's a one-of-kind character... thanks again, Ave!

[@johnstark4723]

Hehe he, Jack was always the last to leave, and I could always guarantee he would pass me heading home or to another race. He always spent time talking to the fans no matter what, even when in a hurry. I remember one night at Anderson things ran really late, like the race ended at 1:30am due to rain and Jack had day and night races that Sunday and he was worried about making them and he asked if I could possibly haul one of his trailers if he couldn't find someone closer and I said sure. They managed to work it all out and he made it but it was close. I think we all left the track at like 3am.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Wow...these are great stories! This is, in part, why I love doing this...to hear all these classic stories...love it! Thanks again, John...HMM

[@johnstark4723]

@@HistoryMysteryMan Anytime 😊 I started following racing in 1965 at 6 as a neighbor had a race car in Burlington Iowa. Didn't see my first race in person until 1969 and well, that didn't last long as my parents thought it was too violent after one car rolled in front of us 🙄. Met a lot of great people along the way though, some I will never forget, and a couple I wish I could forget. But I had some great experiences and one very close call that could have gone real bad if I would have been any slower. Wouldn't trade it in for anything!

[@doomman700]

Spent a lot of time in the pits with Jack , he is telling the truth. He stayed because he wanted to, if he left he was racing somewhere else.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Wow...that's quite an education...spending time with Hewitt in the pits! Thanks for sharing that...

[@MrLedawg]

Jack made my day at Kokomo one Sunday night about 1985 ish. I was standing at the track entrance, Jack was strapped into the car. Push truck behind him. Helmet setting on the hood. He looked at me and asked me to hand him his helmet. I thought that was the coolest thing ever. I was just a kid with a smile on my face. I got to meet jack about 5 years later. He’s one of my all time hero’s.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Man...that's an awesome story! It would have been neat to hear you tell that story inside the video somewhere. I love that stuff. Funny how such a small act stays with you forever. Thanks!

[@fivecitydirttracker4776]

👍👍 heeell yea!!!-made me smile too....

[@michaelvrckoff6966]

Just like Jack he can tell great stories in Australia after the racing was done hed sit in the pits for hours just talking and telling stories . I miss those nights . Thanks for everything Jack

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

I spoke with Hewitt last night at the 4-Crown Nationals at Eldora...awesome as always! Thanks...

[@vaughanoke1059]

After Jack won the Classic what a night of fun and his father was there which made it extra special.

[@alanpeters9241]

Great video jack Hewitt is the man!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You know it! Thanks again, Alan...

[@petecastle5762]

Jack is a one of a kind, the great kind 🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Absolutely!

[@sonnyclark5757]

Please do a 20 part series with Jack never get sick of listening to his BS

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

More on the way...thanks Sonny!

[@charliepowers5265]

Jack once told me " I got a Helmet a Fishing ploe and a set of Golf club. I aint no good at any of them but I sure have a lot of fun" Quote unquote You have got to love Jack hewitt.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

That's pure Hewitt...solid gold. Thanks for sharing your stories here; I appreciate your support, Charlie. HMM

[@fivecitydirttracker4776]

Wonderful.......👍👍

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again!

[@team44racing]

Jack Hewitt,, class act!! Thanks for the video sir!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're always welcome...thanks!

[@billiebobthemechanic]

I miss speed channel live on Friday nights with WOO.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

I miss the SPEED Channel, period. That channel was the best! Thanks again...

[@libertarianman69]

DO's interview was the best ever Hewitt interview.

[@jimfatyakmcgregor8867]

I love Jack, what a great guy. His outlook and the way he conducts himself, just a true ledgend and gentleman of the sport. A pioneer who helped pave the way for today’s champions, as did Kinser, Sammy and the like. Respect !

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

I certainly agree. Jack no doubt helped pave the way for the up and comers. And I know if he wasn't hurt, he'd still be racing. He misses it terribly. Thanks for watching!

[@jimfatyakmcgregor8867]

@@HistoryMysteryMan ❤️

[@slade7354]

Great one! This guy is awesome. A true champion for the people.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again Roman!

[@erinbenedetto6603]

Great stuff. I am a woman new to racing. Never been to race, no plans to ever attend. Just a mom of a guy who works on a crew and having the time of his life and what is looking like a bright future. Loved listening to Jack. I can’t get enough of the history from the drivers, crew chiefs and owners. The guys (who have been in the sport for generations) have a good laugh when I know so much given our families short time in racing. Thanks for making me look good!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Well thanks Erin; glad I could help! Thanks for watching; I appreciate your support. We'll both be experts before we're through!

[@geoffpowe5558]

This is just fantastic. Could sit here and listen for hours, thank you 🇦🇺👍🏻

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're welcome Geoff!

[@maxium4x4]

We had our 360 Sprint at Millstream in Findlay Ohio and Jack was in Hampshire's 410 wearing a Halo for a neck injury. I helped him into the car and asked him why he would risk it, Jack replied this is my job. 😂 Night didn't go well but you have to give him an A for effort, crazy maybe or pure passion for the sport.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

I think you have to put this one in the "passion" category. Hewitt loves racing so much -- it helped define him -- that it was always worth the risk. Despite his injuring, I see no regrets...thanks again.

[@donolbers9446]

It looks like time and all ain't changed him on the inside one bit, he is still hilarious! Looking forward to Part 3, Don 👍

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again Don...Part 3 is going to be good!

[@RacingWithChuck27]

Dew it Hewitt!! This is what we are missing in racing, a “character” that is a racers racer

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

I agree Don...racing needs characters like Hewitt in all their political incorrectness. Thanks Don!

[@RacingWithChuck27]

@@HistoryMysteryMan keep up the great content. Between this and chatting and seeing racers on FB groups, very cool. There’s so many guys I’d like to see you interview. Bobby Marshall would be cool, he’s a sprint car encyclopedia! 😝

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

I've never heard of Bobby Marshall. Feel free to share some of the people you'd like me to interview...thanks!

[@RacingWithChuck27]

@@HistoryMysteryMan he ran the Woo series in the beginning and was a top 5 driver. Was good friends with James McElreath , Jim’s son.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

@@RacingWithChuck27 James would have been a superstar. He was an excellent racer...raw talent/skill.

[@phillipkarnehm7712]

I remember your dad and you from the cozy kitchen I really enjoyed the interview and the old stories. I ran into Steve m a d e r yesterday

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

That's awesome Phillip! Thanks for sharing your stories here...

[@sillygoose2508]

That's funny as hell they handle a little different but their still fun as hell I could listen to this guy all day and the next day to

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Hewitt's a riot every day, all day. Thanks for watching!

[@ronniemctaggart6301]

Folks will have to say if you didn't want to hear what was on his mind you might want to just keep walking lol

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Man...you can say that again! I'm planning on doing more with Jack this summer. Thanks Ronnie...HMM

[@ronniemctaggart6301]

@@HistoryMysteryMan I believe he was at Dixie speedway back in the late 80s witth the USCS club All-stars . Me being from the south and only 19 at the time had never seen a sprint car live but I heard about them on my way home from work and told a buddy of mine we gotta go see this and I've been a huge fan of sprint cars sincd they are by far the fastest thing God ever gave somebody the knowledge to build and the balls to drive on dirt hands down

[@nickknickerbocker6415]

😉 6:09🪄~ 6:40 😳 🎵 Artist 🎵 Travis Tritt Song: Put some Drive In Your Country 🎶

[@edwardjames776]

I used to like watching him race before I know anything about him. To me .. he epitomized Sprint car racing. By that I mean old school. Did it all with seat-of-the-pants and balls. And a real Outlaw in the sense he didn't care what anybody thought about him. And as it turned out despite the way he tells the story everybody does love him. Told it like it was. Between him and Gary Bettenhausen. Those old school Cowboys are a Dying Breed. Sadly ..literally

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Wow...your take on Hewitt nailed it...couldn't have described him better myself. It would be kind of neat to hear you tell it that way inside one of the videos. Thanks for watching Edward; I appreciated you!

[@davewise29]

The story of fat girls and how they handle them was hilarious. Good interview like always

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Hysterical! Thanks again Dave...

[@gregembrey2947]

I tell you how much I enjoy your vlog, it is 3.17 am and I got out of bed for a bath room break , at 64 you do that a lot lol, and checking my phone I saw part 2 was up so I came to the computer to see it.loved it cant wait for part 3. thanks Don

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again Greg! I'll bet I was up at 3:17am doing the same thing! No spring chicken here...bout 3-4 times a night...uhhh.