The Vault
REMEMBERING WAYNE WECKWERTH – RACER & ANNOUNCER
Posted on: Wednesday November 13, 2024
Wayne Weckwerth at WIR in Kaukauna July, 2020.
First – a little background on Wayne Weckwerth – who passed away on November 11, 2024
I had the privilege of knowing Wayne Weckwerth since the mid 1970’s. As a kid, there were a couple of drivers who sported the number 66 on the doors. One was the Crooks Schultz ride which fielded a few different drivers, including Roger “The Bear” Regeth, M.J. McBride and even Roger Paul for a bit.
The other “66” was a guy by the name of Wayne Weckwerth. Even as a kid, I thought his name smoothly rolled off your tongue. During the powerful late model revolution on the dirt half-miles of northeastern Wisconsin in the 1970’s, Wayne was a mid-pack guy who would sometimes be one of the frontrunners in the semi-feature or, on occasion he’d make the feature.
Whether it was his Chevelles during his early years or later in the season with his Camaros, Wayne was a steady fixture on the dirt ovals (and even on the pavement at WIR in Kaukauna) from 1972 to 1980.
Wayne Weckwerth at Slinger Speedway in 1980. (seeking photo credit)
From a career that began at Apple Creek in 1972, after he hung up his helmet after the 1980 season, Weckwerth took over the announcing chores at Shawano Speedway, taking over for Lyle Kriegel on the mic.
It was in the early 1980’s that yours truly cut his teeth on the microphone at Seymour Speedway. The track was a big old half-mile back then. I shared the microphone with Wayne. He was more than patient with a young, teenage kid who’s voice was literally crackling often as I was going through puberty.
Wayne is all smiles after netting quick time at Shawano Speedway in 1979. (Todd Otto photo)
Many years later, Wayne would often pop in at any of my book signings when I’d have a new racing book that had been released. Wayne would pull up a chair and it was quite the story hour!
Wayne had some great contributions from my 2021 release “5-10-32 McBride, Parker & Anvelink. Wayne was a proud man who, after beating cancer once before opted not to go through with another brutal round of chemotherapy.
A great guy who didn’t possess a bad bone in his body. Always upbeat and positive. Rest in peace, friend. Below are a few excerpts with commentary from Wayne from the “5-10-32” book.
Wayne’s autograph is one of many – including some heavy hitters – this author obtained at WIR after a Red, White & Blue race in 1980.
Enjoy the memories. Rest in peace, friend. Thanks for the great times and memories.
WECKWERTH ON M.J. MCBRIDE:
“When I started racing in the ‘70s I used to pit down by the fourth corner at Shawano by M.J. and J.J. Smith. They didn’t sell pit stalls back then, but everyone respected it and those stalls were always left for whatever drivers unofficially ‘claimed them’ so to speak.
M.J. had a huge pit crew with all matching outfits. They were a professional looking crew. Outside of the car M.J. was always very cordial and courteous. He’d always come over and visit you. One time we were both in the 4th heat towards the back. He body slammed me real hard, and I tried to get him back for using my car as a guardrail. It didn’t work and I just wound up overheating my car.
Years later when I was announcing at Shawano some of the fans thought I gave him too much attention over the P.A. I would get bouquets and brickbats. It seemed like the more attention I gave M.J. the more they would boo him.”
WECKWERTH ON PETE PARKER:
“Pete Parker did his talking with his race car and was an outstanding driver, even on the asphalt. One of the best-ever to come out of Wisconsin in my opinion. He was a very hard worker who’s earned everything he accomplished.
When I was announcing at Shawano Pete got a lot of cheers back then. Pete really kept to himself but when he was on his ‘A’ game nobody could touch him.”
Wayne Weckwerth
Appleton, WI
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