RACER: Robin Miller's Tough Guys Series on Jim Hurtubise

[@stevenbuis4490]

When he led that first lap at Indy in the novi every person stood up and cheered. The noise was louder than the cars.

[@moeape]

Grew up in North Tonawanda in the sixties, Jim was a legend in that community. Great guy and great racer. Never won and never quit, a Lumberjack boy to the end, an inspiration to thousands. RIP homie.

[@charlesanzalone5846]

Always bought tires at his Kelly Springfield tire dealer

[@earlcousins6635]

HERK! WAS THE MAN!!! Thanks SO MUCH for not forgetting one of my hero's!!! Jim Hurtubise is the greatest "What If" stories ever!!!

[@johnquinzio8499]

I grew up in N. Tonawanda, NY across the street from Jim's uncle Clarence. I often played with his cousin Danny. I spent many hours at Jim's dad Ernie's gas station on Erie Ave watching him work on and test his "outlaw" dirt track cars. I followed him through out his racing career. In 1967 (?) I accompanied a friend to Allentown, PA to help him enter his car in a show. During the show a guy came by and saw we were from N. Tonawanda. He asked if we knew Jim and told us he was a huge fan. When I told him did know Jim, he invited us to his home outside of Allentown. I was amazed to see that he had converted most of his basement into a "Herk" shrine. He even had a 45 recording of a song honoring Jim. It was then that I realized what a great man he is and that he touched so many people. I was disappointed to learn that for a while, he was living in SoCal (I believe Carlsbad) very close to me. It would have been wonderful to visit him. Jim was my hero then, and I have even more respect for him today. Hope I got my facts right, its been a long time :)

[@gregj831]

This is a tremendously 'cool' write-up. My late father also idolized Hurtubise.

[@roycameron6152]

I grew up in Tonawanda my dad's name was Bobby Cameron did you ever see him race?

[@gregj831]

Awesome video Robin! My late father raved about 'Herk'! I would give anything to go back in time to 1963 and be sitting in the stands at Indy when Hurtubise brought a huge crowd to its feet with his qualifying run in that Novi.

[@itsme6166]

I was at the 1964 race at Milwaukee. A friend and myself through an elaborate scheme sneeked into the pits before the race. We were standing in front of Jim Hurtubise car and he standing across from us. A pit steward busted us right there and we were thrown out of the race track. We then went to the bleachers at the first turn, our favorite spot, and sneeked into the bleachers and watched the race. It was all worth it and a fond memory.

[@tadroid3858]

Growing up in NJ, my Dad & I followed his qualifying runs at Indy, when he kept running the roadsters. He did what he did. Everybody has a story, and no two are different . . . thank goodness.

[@701CPD]

I was lucky enough to see Herk run his Sterling Plumbing Special #56 sprinter back in the day on both dirt and pavement. Never forget seeing him spin and flip #56 backwards out of Dayton's 3rd Turn during quals in 1960, then come back up the bank and wave to the crowd.

[@LinusWeber1997GER]

I wish there were still drivers like Hurtubise

[@jimheckert5383]

Thanks Robin. Fantastic video. 🇺🇸

[@georgegould667]

Thanks Robin , you again picked another hero in Jim Hertibes , I probably spelled his name wrong , keep them coming Robin

[@joeywirt7953]

Robin passed away last year unfortunately

[@RonRussell-sj1zf]

Racing can be a cruel sport. I got to meet Jim at an event, can't even remember where it was, but got to shake hands and yes, they were in the shape of a claw. I grew up in Indy so his name was introduced to me at an early age.

[@240LTS]

Thanks so much for that review of Mr. Hurtubise' racing days. We always referred to him as, Jim, because that's what Dad called him when he told his stories being with him. I hope it does not seem disrespectful. . Our Dad had enormous respect for Jim. He had photos of my older brother and/or sister with Jim and his famous #56 cars. We all will never forget the stories about the crash, fire, having his hands set to grip a steering wheel and just how tough he was. Another story about being the last one with a front engine car was what was told to us what Jim said, "The horse was meant to PULL the wagon, not PUSH it!" Can anyone back that up? . Our Dad's name was Ed Streett (Francis Edward Streett) and I wonder if any of you remember our Dad? I think Dad met him in the Coast Guard but I could be mistaken. Dad also raced small boats. Not sure about the years though. Any help or info would be appreciated. . Great watching your video about Jim.... I mean really, GREAT!!!! Thank you so much, Jeff .

[@1mparcher]

Jim Hurtubise handled the fans the best of any sportsman/woman I have ever seen. He used to eat sandwiches out of our cooler at the Action Track in Terra Haute, Indiana. Hard luck driver? Yes! Great racer? Absolutely! But most important, a great guy!

[@1mparcher]

Introooooducing from North Tonawanda, New York, driving car number 56, the Travelon Trailer Special, JIM HURTUBISE!" "And he's on it!" "Hey-Hey folks!" "It's a neeeeew track record, One-Forty-Nine.056 miles per hour!" "Let's look for him out of turn four!?" "Here he is!" "What a great time to be a kid!!!!!!!!! "Get your Frosted Malts here!"

[@gregj831]

When I depart this world I hope God puts me in stands at Indy in 63 and I get to hear the roar of the Novi and the crowd when Herk qualified.

[@1mparcher]

@@gregj831 Awesome wasn't it? I'm sooooooo happy my Dad took my brother and me out there. It was better than Christmas.

[@jayjackson597]

thank you, i first heard about him the year he was the only roadster driver and always wished i knew more about him

[@hammered0184]

Privileged to have talked with Herk at Martinsville, VA pits in 1967. He was down to talk about a deal driving one of the Hemis in NASCAR, which got me really enthused. But it didn't happen. He was a really nice guy and very laid-back, until he climbed into a race car.

[@cg8001]

Saw him in the mid 80's during May at the 'Run Inn' lounge on N. High School Rd in Indianapolis. Had a few beers and talked a little about racing. His hands were badly damaged from the fire

[@roycameron6152]

My dad and Jim Hurtubise we're good friends. Our family is from North Tonawanda and our dad was the 1949 New York State NASCAR champion Bobby Cameron. Bobby Cameron has just been inducted into the Dirt Motorsports Museum and Hall of Fame. Our Father perished at Lancaster Speedway in 1960 due to the lack of track safety. Coincidentally he was a union organizer for the NASCAR Union that was formed on April 18th 1950 in Buffalo New York! This is all untold history if you'd like to speak about it?

[@greyspiritproductions7771]

Jim Hurtubise is my grandpa i love all these stories in the comments section

[@LeopardGeckoFry]

My dad used to paint his cars for the race when he was racing. My dad said he used to have a blown up in his garage of him smiling while running from police down the track when the officials wouldn't let him try to qualify his car. I've contacted the track and newspapers in Indy but nobody can seem to find the photo.

[@roycameron6152]

It's funny how they seem to lose important things concerning history?

[@roycameron6152]

Did you ever hear about the fire they had at the Daytona Speedway archives office in the 70"s? They could never determine the cause ?

[@roycameron6152]

Arson was not ruled out

[@bobmiller7437]

Thanx Robin - my hero as well! I grew up in Tonawanda and my parents grew up with Jim. In 1964 my Mom had arranged for him to come to our cub scout meet (pinewood derby) - I could not wait...but unfortunately, due to the crash he never made it. Always followed and rooted for him (have the same photos on the wall in the gameroom) #56 is always Herc..ironic he died at 56 yrs old.

[@healthyone100]

+bob miller do you know a guy by the name of john howe from n Tonawanda!

[@tjfreak]

My dads family lived down the street from them on Tremont..he told us about JH when we were kids & pointed out their house.Pinewoods.. haven't heard that in a while..my parents met there.

[@robertdeull6921]

Herk was always one of my heros, lived near him, never met him. About 15 years ago he was elected to the Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame postumetli . I was at the dinner and sat with his mother and sister. Always liked the story about his last race at Indy in the front engine Mallard. He lined up for his second chance to qualify because he didn't in the first run. The inspector came to examine the car, raised the hood and there was no engine, just three cases of Miller beer. He knew he was done!

[@gregj831]

LOL! That is too funny!

[@markbimson3442]

Meet Hert in the men’s room in Gasoline Ally Indy Speedway. He was telling another driver about how great it was not having to wear mittens. The surgeon had just separated his fingers a few weeks earlier. You are correct about him being one tough hombre. I believe it was Springfield but it could have been Du Quoin I’ll, Hert flipped over the wall, I was standing by Jim Mc Gee watching I believe it was qualifying, Jim turned shook his head and told me he’s dead. After the race Hert shows up in the pit telling every one how the car landed between the track’s Harrower upside down with his head between the spike row supports. He told folks he knew he was alive because he knew heaven did not have dirt and that all he could see. I remember the Mallard, it was a fitting end to a by gone era.

[@505197]

I'm acquainted with Terry Elmore, he sells race car parts in Louisville Ky. When you go see Terry usually it turns into reminiscing and bench racing. I remember him talking about Herk, and how Herk drove Terry's stock car for him a few times. Terry is a absolutely top notch fabricator, and can consolidate an entire race shop into the tiniest space by meticulous organization. Terry said Herk was the hardest working guy he was ever involved with. He could work on the car with his injured hands apparently, and wasn't scared to. Terry isn't easy to impress, but he held Jim in very high regard. I worked for Bill Cheesbourg for a couple of years in Tucson, and I'll have to say he was sort of a hero of mine. I used to watch Bill Kimmel race almost in my back yard at the Sportsdrome, along with Charlie Glotzbach. I could see the back stretch from a tree if I climbed high enough. I stop by Frank Kimmel's home now and then too. Dad took me to the track pretty often, we'd walk to the drome, but when Salem ran the whole family went. We never went to open wheel racing though. I never thought to ask him, but I have often wondered if it had to do with the high death rate. I had to sort of catch up by reading open wheel and such later in life. Watching your videos is a pleasure, I jut found your site last week.

[@gregj831]

Always great to hear more 'Herk' history!

[@paulpuntenney1716]

Back in '78 ran into him at a bar on West Washington street. Had a good chat over some beers...

[@timfarmer648]

There was another tough guy one of my dads racing buddy's mel Kenyon let's don't forget about him. 🤠

[@butchs6099]

Nice to have someone in your line of work giving accolades to the unsung heroes in motor racing. AJ and the few like him were overrated. From an old fan of Gary B of Tinley Park.

[@williammiller1732]

I met him when I was nine when stp was touring the Novi around the country nice guy but he was a real tough guy racer a breed above the rest

[@healthyone100]

robin miller LOVES open wheel racing,he's in the mold as donald davidson!

[@dono1716]

He was a man of men seen him race Reading ana Langhorne bright orange 56.I was a big fan myself. Thanks ROBIN

[@healthyone100]

i never forget as a kid he towed from n. tonawanda to fonda speedway about 275 miles and won the feature.

[@ferdterguson124]

Herk was the baddest of asses. Long live the king

[@dconover-70]

Excellent!

[@peterkennedy7219]

I remember my uncle telling me about him when I was a kid at quals in the early 80s

[@rogermatheny5512]

Any way I can get a copy of all your pictures of Jim Hurtubise’ Indy cars?

[@goatart1]

a real western new yorker. where did you get that sweatshirt?!?

[@ferdterguson124]

Shawnee road. Had his runway for his plane. Ran the mallard up and down shawnee road. RIP herk

[@annbarondick8724]

Martin says/ 1960/ 61? williams grove, 2 guys showed up with chevy engines in their sprint cars, yea i know that sounds strange today. we went into the infield through the people tunnel under the fourth turn, car comes down the front straight on their time trail i told the guys with me his throttle stuck, no he was flat footing it, that day i became a huge herk fan

[@vince065us]

Will Robin ever do a feature on Art Pollard?

[@tjw3999]

i ve heard of a swarm of bees but a hurtibise ? lmao

[@charlesanzalone5846]

Also took the Mallard and set world closed circuit speed record

[@Braglemaster123]

Say him at Langhorne

[@johncole5286]

too bad that Robin Miller never did a bit about Carl Hogan