HomeSprint Car & Midget NewsGone, Not Forgotten (Junior Knepper & Rich Camfield)

Gone, Not Forgotten (Junior Knepper & Rich Camfield)

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Gone Not Forgotten by Don Martin

Steve Knepper with his father Junior Knepper
Steve Knepper with his father Junior Knepper. – Photo from Knepper family collection.

This past year Illinois lost two of the biggest Chili Bowl Supporters over the last 30 years.    Walter “Junior” Knepper  of Belleville and Rich Camfield of Decatur both passed away in 2015.    Junior passed away at the age of 80 while Rich passed at the early age of 49.

First what can I say about Junior Knepper,  anyone that knew him or knew of him, he was a legend.    He had over 58 USAC wins as an owner in Sprint Cars and Midgets.  The yellow and red #55 was a trademark in open wheel racing since the 50’s.  Junior was involved in racing at the age of 13 and  participated in over 1000 main events winning over 250 of them what an accomplishment.  His drivers included Bob Wente, Tom Bigelow, Mel Kenyon, George Snider, Dana Carter, Rich Vogler, his son Steve Knepper, and grandson Nick Knepper.   They also fielded cars at the Chili Bowl for late model Super Stars Brian Birkhofer, Bart Hartman, and Brian Shirley.

Rich Vogler & Junior Knepper
Rich Vogler & Junior Knepper.  – Photo from Knepper family collection.

Junior competed in every Chili Bowl, his Son Steve is in the Hall of Fame and made the Chili Bowl main event 9 times with his best finish 4th back in 1999. Grandson Nick made the main event in 2011 & 12 and will be back in the family owned #55 in January for the 30th Annual Chili Bowl Nationals as the tradition continues.

Junior loved to work on his hot rods and give the boys Nick and Steve hell.   There were always everyone’s else way to do things and Junior’s ways !!!  The guy loved his beer and his family.   I miss him, when I used to call the race shop and ask for Steve,  I could always hear him say Steve your girlfriend is on the phone, he was a class act.     He always carried his history around with him in the race trailer.  The photographs, history and the stories, did not get any better than that.  I will always remember and appreciate Junior taking the time and sharing the history talking about Vogler, Parsons, Andretti, and Foyt, it was special.   When Bart Hartman drove for them at the Chili Bowl, he told me sitting in that car knowing the drivers that drove for him gave him goosebumps.  He felt honored and very lucky to drive for the Kneppers.   Bart told me he was nervous at the Chili Bowl but Junior always told him no matter what after the races they would enjoy a cold beer and Bart said they DID !!!

Rich Camfield & family!
Rich Camfield & family! – Bill Willis photo.

The Camfields have only missed the first two Chili Bowls and have been a fixture in Tulsa every January fielding up to half a dozen cars.  Rich Camfield made the big show twice driving for his father Dave Sr.  back in 2001 and 2005.   The Chili Bowl meant more to Rich than anyone will ever know, how much so well how about this,  he drove under and different name a couple of years ago so he would not lose his disability that’s devotion.   He battled cancer and a broken back, yet the guy just wanted to race.    People forget they gave Tim McCreadie his first ride at the Chili Bowl where Tim would be the Chili Bowl Rookie of the Year back in 2005.   Tim always appreciated what the Camfields did for him and even mentioned to me that the car he drove back in the 2005 might have been down on power but those guys knew how to set a car up and might have been the best handling car he ever drove at the prestigious Chili Bowl.

Rich Camfield
Rich Camfield – Bill Willis photo.

Rich was a late bloomer and really didn’t start racing midgets until he was 22 years of age.   He made over 400 midget starts with his most memorable moment coming at the Dana Godfrey Memorial race at Macon Speedway when he battled his brother Dave for the win at his favorite race track.   The win was special because of his relationship with John Godrey they were great friends.   Rich had the first Stealth midget Chassis built and Steve Knepper had the third one.   How cool is that !!

Rich passed away a few months ago at the age of 49 as he battled cancer.    He leaves behind six children with his youngest Jake at 6 years of age running quarter midgets.    Rich’s Dad Dave mentioned to me they have 3 grandkids racing now and his brother Dave Jr. continues to race along with Dalton, Dave III, and Devin so the tradition continues in the Camfield camp as well.

So this year as you folks embark on the 30th Annual Chili Bowl Nationals and come upon the Knepper’s and Camfields cars in the pit area they might not have won the race and their names might not be back on the event shirts, but they have helped and contributed to what makes the Chili Bowl Special to what it is today.    What even makes the Camfields and Kneppers even more special is also how close their family ties are too each other.   Rich always thought of Steve Knepper as his brother !!!

In closing the last race Junior Knepper ever saw was the live broadcast of the Chili Bowl last year at his daughter’s house.

GOD SPEED Junior Knepper and Rich Camfield

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