The Vault
5-10-32 FOREWORD – PENNED BY BOB SCHAFER
Posted on: Sunday March 22, 2026
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Hero (noun) 1. a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. Similar: champion, winner, conqueror, superstar, idol
Be it whatever age, race, gender, or creed everyone has a hero or heroes. The idolized may be from the pages of a book, perhaps someone within the household or a family member, or, more likely, from an arena, stadium or the big screen. For most the chance of meeting their luminary is slim or none yet the draw towards the individual never wanes. A much smaller and more unique population is blessed with an encounter with their hero – something that is never forgotten.
Automobile racing draws people’s attention for multiple reasons. Speed, danger, desire, triumph, tragedy, and technology all migrate to the top as to why countless millions have spent hours and their hard-earned dollars on chasing the sport. In the end, though, it’s the people tied inside the machines that are the real reason why for many there is an insatiable appetite for it. With that said, auto racing provides a perfect recipe to create heroes.
Northeastern Wisconsin fairgrounds auto racing has a deep history, full of stories filled with heroes. While arguable, there was perhaps no greater era of star building on greater Green Bay area dirt tracks than the 1970s. Grandstands were filled with fans – young and old – to watch huge fields of race cars driven by men with character. The star gazers were plentiful allowing heroes to be born.
While the old guard of Roger Regeth, J.J. Smith, Roger Paul, and Jerry Smith – truly Northeastern Wisconsin’s “fab four” of dirt track racing in the era – showed their strengths, dominating the first four finishing spots in many feature events, there were three “young” drivers that veteran race goers began to keep an eye on as a premonition of things to come.
No one would have thought the “fab four” could be replaced. Let’s face it, The Beatles are still The Beatles. While the old guard of dirt track racing was not replaced, nor forgotten by any means, a new force was on the way and the three would impact the landscape of dirt track racing more so than any others before them. Terry Anvelink, M.J. McBride, and Pete Parker quickly took over as the heroes, or villains depending on which side of the fence you were on, as the 1980s dawned.
Carrying three very distinct personalities and driver traits, the trio gained cult-like followings in the area. M.J. McBride: soft spoken, articulate, and driven. Terry Anvelink: intense, competitive, and succinct. Pete Parker: strong, determined, and domineering. Each obtained the respect of the other. Each earned the respect of the fans. And, each garnered success to the nth degree, near and far.
Numbers are numbers. Pete Parker will go down in history as one of Wisconsin’s leading feature winners on dirt racing surfaces. He scored over 300 main event victories in the Badger State during his career. M.J. McBride and Terry Anvelink each have more track championships at the Shawano Speedway than you can count on one hand. Numbers are numbers.
John Lennon and Paul McCartney, from the other “fab four”, coined a phrase in one of their most beloved tunes, “In My Life”. “There are places I’ll remember, all my life though some have changed. Some forever, not for better, some have gone, and some remain. All these places have their moments, with lovers and friends I still can recall. Some are dead and some are living, in my life I’ve loved them all.”
Terry, M.J., and Pete – idolized by many. Villains to some. Truly heroes to all – at least those that purchased a ticket to a dirt track in Northeastern Wisconsin.
Bob Schafer
Oshkosh, Wisconsin