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Tracks >> SANTA MARIA RACEWAY >> Super Late Models Honor Danny and Sandie Simkins this Sunday at SMS
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Message started by steph on 08/29/12 at 1:04pm

Title: Super Late Models Honor Danny and Sandie Simkins this Sunday at SMS
Post by steph on 08/29/12 at 1:04pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Santa Maria Speedway
August 29, 2012
Contact: Stephanie Odom
(805) 268-1393
odom.stephanie@ymail.com

Super Late Models are set to make their return to Chris Kearns’ Santa Maria Speedway this Sunday night, September 2nd. The night will honor legendary race car driver Danny Simkins and his wife Sandie Simkins. Joining the Super Late Models will be Papich Construction IMCA Modifieds, Richie McGowan Hobby Stocks, West Coast Street Stocks, American/Enduro Stocks and Mini Dwarfs.

“Sometimes people get that one chance in life to define themselves, show the world who they really are. On the surface Danny Simkins career is amazing, filled with impressive wins and accomplishments. What many fans didn’t realize is he was battling cancer through the last twenty years of his life. “ (www.TeamSimkins.com)

Danny battled with cancer the final stretch of his racing career. In the 70’s doctors found a softball sized tumor in the back of his leg. From that moment on Danny was going back to UCLA for radiation treatment and various surgeries to remove tumors. However, Danny scheduled all the surgeries and treatments around his racing schedule. When going to the doctors he took a racing schedule with him so when it came to book the next appointment it wouldn’t interfere with his racing. He’d schedule surgeries on an off night and be back to doing what he loved a few weeks later.

In 1989 the tumors had taken over and left Danny with only one option, amputation. Going against the doctors’ orders he was behind the wheel with a modified gas pedal just a few works after the operation despite being told to wait a few months. His devotion to continue racing is nothing short than inspiring. Racing left Danny in severe pain but he continued to do what he loved.

In 1993 Danny and family learned that the tumors had spread into his chest. Given all that he had fought off one would be confident that he can beat this as well and live past the six months that the doctor had given him. Danny didn’t speak much of his illness to anybody as he didn’t want to be treated differently than anyone else, on or off the track. It would be Danny’s last season of racing and it would be a miracle and movie worthy.

On the final point’s race Danny’s doctor from UCLA called promoter Doug Fort to inform him that he would not be in attendance. Danny proved him wrong however. He unplugged his morphine drop on Thursday in preparation for Saturday. That night he beat the odds and made a sweep on the night winning his dash, heat race and main event and claiming his tenth championship and his third post amputation.

Following the last point’s race of the season Santa Maria Speedway hosted an annual open comp show. This year Doug Fort had planned a retirement ceremony for Danny. In front of a crowd full of tears Danny was wheeled onto the front stretch with his number 68 machine. Fort went on to list Danny’s accomplishments and the integrity that he has brought to the racing world. The number 68 was retired in the late model division that night, something that had never happened in the history of Santa Maria Speedway. Bakersfield Speedway did the same the following weekend. They handed Danny the microphone in which he emotionally stated, “Well, most of all I want to thank all of the fans. Over the years half of them booing me and half were cheering me, but at least they knew who I was.”

After the retirement ceremony Danny climbed back into the car. Running off of adrenaline he had just won the trophy dash beating out Larry Demitts. With three segments of racing Danny had a power steering failure while running third during the first event. The following event he trailed Jerry Stewart, with Stewart pulling in with mechanical issues it was a battle between California State Champion Steve Hendren and Danny. Danny drove the high side with Steve down low. “With the white flag waving the fans rose to their feet. For that moment in time Danny Simkins wasn’t handicapped, he wasn’t dying of cancer. He was a champion, an artist that was defining his career in front of thousands of screaming fans” (www.TeamSimkins.com). Danny edged Steve at the line for the win. After the race, Steve came up to Danny in tears stating he had learned more in that one race than he had in his entire career.

A few weeks later Danny lost the battle to cancer. People were shown in that night and season that what some say is impossible is clearly possible.

Danny’s wife, Sandie, left a mark in the racing world as well. She created a series that brought street stock drivers together from various tracks. It started off as the “East vs. West” and would then grow bigger adding new tracks to the schedule. She passed away on October 6, 2009 of a rare form of stomach cancer. When drivers and fans expressed how they felt about her it was clear that she was a positive person that loved what she did. The amount of work she did to bring the racers together shows the type of person she was. She has been missed tremendously.

Going into the event defending track champion Clay Daly leads the point’s battle. Daly won his first event at the third-mile this season on August 18th. Daly backed up the win this past weekend finding victory lane at Bakersfield Speedway. Bakersfield’s John Lowrey sits eleven points behind Daly. Lowrey won the Nationals in May, the biggest event of the year. Rob Sanders, Bill Bartels and Steve Drake complete the top five.

Racing is set to begin at 5 PM this Sunday. Camping for the weekend is available at $10 or $5 for Sunday night only. For more information visit, www.RaceSantaMariaSpeedway.com. Videos, pictures and more information regarding Simkins family racing is available at www.TeamSimkins.com.

Chris Kearns Presents and the Santa Maria Speedway would like to thank Shannon Pump Company, Drake Farms Transportation, Toste Construction & Paving, Indiana Truck Salvage, Papich Construction, ProPower Engines, Integra Shocks, West Coast Boring, Pearsons Auto Wrecking, Victory Circle and RoadRunner Fabrication for their support this season.