Ronnie McDowell - Auto Racing Memories

Mike Croley · 08-30-2009, 09:00 AM

There are obviously many factors in deciding who the really great drivers are . But for Colorado short track stock car racers my vote would easily go to Ronnie McDowell . Ronnie was originally from Pueblo and raced ar Beacon Hill , but he also ran regularly at Pikes Peak Speedway and Sportsmans Raceway Park in Colorado Springs . He also ran at the Turf Club , Colorado Springs International , Pikes Peak Hillclimb , as well as every other track in the state . He also often raced out of state , and raced in New Zealand during the winter .

Ronnie was known for his black 57 T-bird with a 427 Ford engine that he ran at Beacon Hill and Sportsmans . At the same time he had a black modified that he raced in the Springs and Denver . Later he would form a partnership with Jim Willy of Colorado Springs ,, and the cars were always yellow # 119 . This was by far the most productive time in Ronnies' career , he and Jim dominated Southern Colorado stock car racing .

I have records that indicate as of 1975 , Ronnie had 174 feature wins . Since he raced for another 10 years after that , his feature total was way over 200 . And who knows how many championships . Another point to consider is that because of totally inverted starts , Ronnie won almost all of those races from the last 2 rows . I was lucky enough to be able to watch Ronnie at his best , and week in , week out , there just wasn't anyone better . In fact , i'm not sure i've ever seen anyone as good as he was on a short track . Very smooth , yet very aggressive .

Mike Croley · 08-30-2009, 09:11 AM

Here are a few more photos of Ronnie McDowell . The black modified # 19 is a car he raced in the mid 1960s , ran it at Beacon Hill in Pueblo , Sportsmans , and in Denver . The yellow 1969 Camaro # 119 in victory lane was at Pikes Peak Speedway . The final photo is Ronnie at Beacon Hill avoiding a spinning car . The lead car in the photo is the great Paul Elder .

webby · 08-30-2009, 10:14 AM

Oh man... I love that 69 Camaro. Perfect looking stock car.

Great stuff, thanks for sharing.

VintageBuzz · 08-30-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Croley

There are obviously many factors in deciding who the really great drivers are . But for Colorado short track stock car racers my vote would easily go to Ronnie McDowell . Ronnie was originally from Pueblo and raced ar Beacon Hill , but he also ran regularly at Pikes Peak Speedway and Sportsmans Raceway Park in Colorado Springs . He also ran at the Turf Club , Colorado Springs International , Pikes Peak Hillclimb , as well as every other track in the state . He also often raced out of state , and raced in New Zealand during the winter .

Ronnie was known for his black 57 T-bird with a 427 Ford engine that he ran at Beacon Hill and Sportsmans . At the same time he had a black modified that he raced in the Springs and Denver . Later he would form a partnership with Jim Willy of Colorado Springs ,, and the cars were always yellow # 119 . This was by far the most productive time in Ronnies' career , he and Jim dominated Southern Colorado stock car racing .

I have records that indicate as of 1975 , Ronnie had 174 feature wins . Since he raced for another 10 years after that , his feature total was way over 200 . And who knows how many championships . Another point to consider is that because of totally inverted starts , Ronnie won almost all of those races from the last 2 rows . I was lucky enough to be able to watch Ronnie at his best , and week in , week out , there just wasn't anyone better . In fact , i'm not sure i've ever seen anyone as good as he was on a short track . Very smooth , yet very aggressive .

Great article & photos, Mike! I never had the pleasure of seeing Ronnie in action or any of his sharp looking race cars...my loss. Please keep your photos and articles coming, as they are most enjoyable for us who are not that familiar with the central and southern Colorado drivers, race cars, & teams. ~VB

Mike Croley · 08-31-2009, 08:38 AM

I've found some information that Ronnie had 197 Feature wins near the end of 1975 . There were 6 more weeks to race at that point , so between the three tracks he normally raced at , theres a good chance that he surpassed 200 Feature wins even before the 75 season was over .

Mike Croley · 08-31-2009, 12:39 PM

Here is a photo of Ronnie taken at Englewood Speedway .

Mike Croley · 08-31-2009, 12:41 PM

I'll try that Englewood photo again .

Mike Croley · 09-02-2009, 09:17 AM

Ronnie also raced in the Pikes Peak Hillclimb several times . Here he is in a Mustang , he also ran a Plymouth Road Runner one year .

Mike Croley · 09-02-2009, 09:21 AM

This is one of Ricks' photos of Ronnie McDowell winning at Colorado Springs International Speedway in the Thompson Mustang . I think this around 1984 .

Mike Croley · 09-09-2009, 08:49 AM

This photo is one of Ricks' showing Ronnie McDowell on one of the frequent road trips , this one at I-70 Speedway .

08-30-2009, 09:00 AM	#1
Mike Croley Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 193	Ronnie McDowell There are obviously many factors in deciding who the really great drivers are . But for Colorado short track stock car racers my vote would easily go to Ronnie McDowell . Ronnie was originally from Pueblo and raced ar Beacon Hill , but he also ran regularly at Pikes Peak Speedway and Sportsmans Raceway Park in Colorado Springs . He also ran at the Turf Club , Colorado Springs International , Pikes Peak Hillclimb , as well as every other track in the state . He also often raced out of state , and raced in New Zealand during the winter . Ronnie was known for his black 57 T-bird with a 427 Ford engine that he ran at Beacon Hill and Sportsmans . At the same time he had a black modified that he raced in the Springs and Denver . Later he would form a partnership with Jim Willy of Colorado Springs ,, and the cars were always yellow # 119 . This was by far the most productive time in Ronnies' career , he and Jim dominated Southern Colorado stock car racing . I have records that indicate as of 1975 , Ronnie had 174 feature wins . Since he raced for another 10 years after that , his feature total was way over 200 . And who knows how many championships . Another point to consider is that because of totally inverted starts , Ronnie won almost all of those races from the last 2 rows . I was lucky enough to be able to watch Ronnie at his best , and week in , week out , there just wasn't anyone better . In fact , i'm not sure i've ever seen anyone as good as he was on a short track . Very smooth , yet very aggressive . Attached Thumbnails

08-30-2009, 09:11 AM	#2
Mike Croley Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 193	Re: Ronnie McDowell Here are a few more photos of Ronnie McDowell . The black modified # 19 is a car he raced in the mid 1960s , ran it at Beacon Hill in Pueblo , Sportsmans , and in Denver . The yellow 1969 Camaro # 119 in victory lane was at Pikes Peak Speedway . The final photo is Ronnie at Beacon Hill avoiding a spinning car . The lead car in the photo is the great Paul Elder . Attached Thumbnails

08-30-2009, 10:14 AM	#3
webby Administrator Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lakewood, Colorado Age: 55 Posts: 1,063	Re: Ronnie McDowell Oh man... I love that 69 Camaro. Perfect looking stock car. Great stuff, thanks for sharing. Follow ARM on Twitter \| Like ARM on Facebook Rat Rods, Old school Muscle cars. Advertising on Auto Racing Memories

08-31-2009, 08:38 AM	#5
Mike Croley Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 193	Re: Ronnie McDowell I've found some information that Ronnie had 197 Feature wins near the end of 1975 . There were 6 more weeks to race at that point , so between the three tracks he normally raced at , theres a good chance that he surpassed 200 Feature wins even before the 75 season was over .

08-31-2009, 12:39 PM	#6
Mike Croley Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 193	Re: Ronnie McDowell Here is a photo of Ronnie taken at Englewood Speedway .

08-31-2009, 12:41 PM	#7
Mike Croley Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 193	Re: Ronnie McDowell I'll try that Englewood photo again . Attached Thumbnails

09-02-2009, 09:17 AM	#8
Mike Croley Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 193	Re: Ronnie McDowell Ronnie also raced in the Pikes Peak Hillclimb several times . Here he is in a Mustang , he also ran a Plymouth Road Runner one year . Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Mike Croley; 09-02-2009 at 09:23 AM.

09-02-2009, 09:21 AM	#9
Mike Croley Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 193	Re: Ronnie McDowell This is one of Ricks' photos of Ronnie McDowell winning at Colorado Springs International Speedway in the Thompson Mustang . I think this around 1984 . Attached Thumbnails

09-09-2009, 08:49 AM	#10
Mike Croley Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 193	Re: Ronnie McDowell This photo is one of Ricks' showing Ronnie McDowell on one of the frequent road trips , this one at I-70 Speedway . Attached Thumbnails