Nicknames at Western Speedway
by Lois Pollard-Grant

What would auto racing be like to fans without the nicknames that are attached to various drivers and other members of the racing fraternity? In some cases their nicknames are better known than the Real McCoy.

The major leagues of auto racing have produced such household names as "The Intimidator" Dale Earnhardt, "King" Richard Petty, "Jaws" Darrel Waltrip, "Handsome Harry" Gant, "The Rushville Rocket" Tony Stewart and "Awesome Bill" from Dawsonville" Bill Elliot.

Here, at Western Speedway, there is an abundance of nicknames with a great number of them being invented by the speedway's track announcer, Rocky "Silvertongue" Horne.

Many of the nicknames (past and present) speak for themselves while others could be considered debatable. But you be the judge!

From the LITRA demos and claimers, come such pretty heavy hitting as Brian "Beefy" Baker, "Smokin" Joe Liberatore, "Dr. Death" Keith Hansen, Marty "Mcfly" Hansen, Robbie "Pig Pen" Haslam, "The Wild Thing" Jan Hansen and her son "Wild Child" Sean Hansen, "Ready" Eddy Breuker, "Rockin" Roger Artel, "The Masked Banana" Keith Cahill, "Choice" Joyce Woodske, "Grampa" John Aitken, Troy "Muffin" Tarbuck and Gary "Animal" Willliams (aka "Hydro pole Williams").

More toned down name calling in the stockcar class includes "Gentleman" Jim Steen, "Pretty Boy" Kirk Peacey, "The Island Guy" Ron Eberle, "Up Town" Cody Brown, "The Dynomite Kid" Dean Bowers, "Flyin" Brian Clutchey, and "Rockin" Robin Trotter.

From the Sprint Car ranks emerge the Montgomery brothers - "The Tornado" Trevor and "Hurricane" Jeff.

The Old Timers provide Bob "Too Sexy" Exton, George "The Jet" Jenson, Jim "The Troll" Rankin, Tony "The Terminator" Spitari, "Poor" Rich Bennett and Dan Morneau who rates both "Hollywood" and "Pretty Boy".

The IMCA Modifieds have "Quaker" Gord Quaite and "Mornin" (upgraded from Compost) Dave Conway.

Then, there's "The Black Assassin" Don Smith and his brother "The Exterminator" Gord Smith, John "Fireball" Misener, Gary "Mad Dog" Madden, "Hasy" Roy Haslam, "Hollywood" Geoff Robinson, "The Duck" Peter Quakenbush and his little brother "The Duckling" A.J. Quakenbush, "Rude" Rick Petillion, "Bad News Bowen" Ray Bowen, "Mr. Ugly" Greg Sagmoen, "Bozo" Jason Beaulieu, Tony "Macaroni" Palister, and the Price brothers "Roundy" Randy and "Pudge" Robbie.

Going back in racing history reveals "The Flying Plumber" Dave Cooper, Gerry "Pussycat" Sylvester, Frank "Corky" Thomas, "Thread the Needle" Billy Foster, "Wobbly" Dick Willoughby, and Len "Digger" O'Dell.

And not as far back - "The King" Gary Kershaw, "The Rebel" Art Reedy, "Pig Iron" Pete Poderenko, Larry "Whiskers" Walker, "Flying Phil" Filapovic, Ron "Country Boy" Hancock, "Awesome Bill" from Cobble Hill" Bill Price, "The Iceman" Kory Gronnestad, "The Rebel" Mike Greer, "The Hamster" Guy Barret, "Pizza" Nick Newroth.

Western Speedway's promoters "Bullit" Bill Smith and "Fatt Matt" Sahlstrom are also subject to name calling. And not to be outdone is the Denomination Derby's, man of the cloth, "The Pastor of Disaster" Tim Davis.

Last but not least (of the WILROC Sprint Cars) is Ross Rockett. A real cool nickname you might say - but it just so happens, that is his real name.