Jack M Roe
New Member
In the history and from my memory (I'm 73) of midgets at Macon Speedway, Macon, Illinois, I remember Ray Knepper and his black 35 from the late 40's. To list all of the names came to that little track would make a book by itself. In addition to Ray, there was Rex Easton, Myron Fohr, Lew Walker, Don Branson, Tiney Wainwright, and so many others that it boggles my mind. While my wife and I were stationed (Navy) in Denver Colorado, we got to see Arnie Knepper and his midget "Roadster" at Elich Gardens (Denver) on the 1/4 mile paved track, he finished second. To my surprise many years later in the old ball park on 16th street, Indianapolis, IN, there was Stevie Knepper in a 55 car and K and K on the nose. Jump ahead some more and again in Macon Illinois, I see Nick Knepper in a 55 midget and in a mini sprint. Needless to say, when I heard the name "Knepper", I knew it was from that racing family. Tracks, drivers, and series changes over time, but some things stay the same. The Knepper name brings back so many fond memories racing before roll bars and cages. I understand the need (uh) requirements for cages and the like, but nothing is so graceful looking as the smooth rounded nose, the thrashing of arms in the cockpit of the old midgets. Carry on Knepper family and thanks for bringing back so many of my family memories. Jack Roe, Virginia Beach, VA.
