Robert "Bob" Zeigler (August 9, 1929 – February 22, 2023) was a driver and promoter of modified stock car racing. Equally adept at driving on both dirt and asphalt surfaces, he was recognized for his driving talent and respected for building a speedway during what many believe to be the golden age of stock car racing.[1][2][3]
| Bob Zeigler | |
|---|---|
| Born | Robert K. Zeigler August 9, 1929 Boonville, New York |
| Died | February 22, 2023 (aged 93)[1] |
| Modified racing career | |
| Debut season | 1950 |
| Car number | 90 |
| Championships | 5 |
| Finished last season | 1965 |
Racing career
editBob Zeigler got his start building his first stock car in 1950, and after completing his military duty returned to win his first feature in 1953 at the St. Lawrence Valley Speedway in Canton, New York. He claimed his first track championship at Fort Covington Speedway NY in 1954, and followed up with the 1957, 1959, and 1961 titles at the Watertown Speedway NY. [3][4][5][6]
In 1963 Zeigler made the transition from dirt to asphalt, and began competing in the NASCAR Sportsman division (predecessor of the Xfinity Series) at Shangri-La Speedway NY, Spencer Speedway NY, and Utica-Rome Speedway NY. Before hanging up his helmet, he won the 1964 track champion at Capital City Speedway ON.[3][7]
Midway through 1965 Zeigler sold his stock car, purchased land, formed a corporation with his brother Dick and cousin Karl John, and built a race track in Evans Mills, New York. In recognition of his pioneering successes, Bob Zeigler was inducted into the Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame in 2002.[2][3]
References
edit- ^ a b "Robert "Bob" K. Zeigler". Flack Broadcasting. March 1, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
- ^ a b O'Donnell, John (May 23, 2002). "Former Watertown Speedway Champ enters Dirt Hall of Fame". Watertown Daily Times. Retrieved October 21, 2023 – via NNY360 Archives.
- ^ a b c d "Hall Of Fame Driver Bob Zeigler, 93". Speed Sport. February 25, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
- ^ "Burg car racers in the money". Ogdensburg Advance-News. August 30, 1953. p. 11. Retrieved October 22, 2023 – via NYS Historic Newspapers.
- ^ "Big purse offered by speedway". Ogdensburg Journal. August 3, 1956. p. 4. Retrieved October 22, 2023 – via NYS Historic Newspapers.
- ^ "Stock car drivers, sponsors to share $2834 in point money". Syracuse Herald-Journal . November 27, 1959. p. 45. Retrieved October 22, 2023 – via NewspaperArchive.
- ^ "Stock Feature to Keith James". Ottawa Citizen. May 17, 1965. p. 21. Retrieved October 22, 2023 – via Google Books.