From Tom Skibinski, DIRT NorthEast PR Director
Race Weeks in Florida is a time to break in the new year with the first motorsports events of the season. It is also an occasion to reminisce about many of the great races gone by and recognize some of the greatest individuals that helped lay the groundwork for what is now widely accepted as the most popular sport in the world today.
In 2006, DIRT MotorSports NorthEast Hall of Fame inductee John McArdell is among a select few that is being honored still one more time for his accomplishments in auto racing. Joining McArdell on the list of notable honorees are Bobby Johns (Distinguished Driver), Cotton Owens (Pioneer of Racing), Gary Nelson (Dedicated Service), Vicki Wood (Racing Woman of the Year), Jim Foster (Russ Moyer Media Award), Olin Hopes (Behind the Scenes/Nuts and Bolts Award) and Nichels Engineering (Allison Family Achievement).
"I can't say I feel like a legend, but I'm still living and certainly happy to be able to accept an award like this," said McArdell, 71, who resides in the Syracuse suburb of Baldwinsville, N.Y. He was a forerunner to the nationally renown DIRT MotorSports organization (est. 1976) and its charter member tracks, scoring 10 wins at Weedsport Speedway (1968-72), six victories at Rolling Wheels Raceway (1972-75) and one triumph at Canandaigua Speedway (1975). "There are so many great drivers that I had the privilege of racing with, I'll be representing them just as much when the award is handed out."
During the 14th Annual Living Legends of Auto Racing Reunion Banquet set for Wed., Feb. 15 at the Plaza Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach, McArdell will be in attendance to accept the 'Saturday Night Hero' award. The LLOAR is an organization that works to preserve the history of stock car racing and the greats of the sport. McArdell is a most deserving recipient and his success on the New York State racing circuit can be recalled for generations to come as he finds his place in the Living Legends Museum, now located inside the Sunshine Mall, 2400 South Ridgewood, South Daytona, Fla.
DIRT MotorSports NorthEast Hall of Fame – 1995 Inductee Review
Ask anyone who follows local New York State racing to name the dominant drivers from the 50's, 60's and 70's and one name that is bound to come up is John McArdell. One of four McArdell brothers to have raced, John drove stock cars for nearly a quarter of the century. His first ever competition was in a demolition derby when he was 16 years old. He won that derby, an outcome that ultimately launched his career as one of the top drivers in Central New York.
In 1952, John and his brother Gale bought their first stock car for $500. In the beginning they would take turns driving. Gale would drive the car at Brewerton and John would drive at Lafayette. Weedsport Speedway opened in 1955 and John added that track to his resume. His first feature victory came at the Waterloo Speedway driving car no. 00.
Although he drove and was successful in several cars throughout his career, the one stocker he is best known for steering is the "leanin' 11", owned by the late Dominic Tantello. His first night of racing the "leanin' 11" was also the first night he won a feature in that car --- opening night at Waterloo in 1960. He went on to win the "High Point Man" honors that same year.
Although he had many successful years of racing, probably his best was 1964 when he won 27 features. Besides the numerous awards he earned that year, he capped off the season with three wins on consecutive nights. On September 18th he captured a
50‑lap Championship race at Canandaigua, on September 19th he claimed a 100‑lap Championship at Waterloo and on September 20th he copped the NASCAR sponsored "Salt City 25" at the New York State Fairgrounds. A few weeks before the Syracuse event, during qualifications at the New York State Fair Labor Day Championships he proved to be the fastest qualifier among some of the top names in the sport at that time.
Always a popular driver with the fans and well respected among the drivers, John has won numerous "Most Popular Driver" and "Sportsman of the Year" awards at several speedways. He is also one of the few drivers that was able to remain competitive when
the sport changed from cars using "flathead" engines to V8 power. One of the most notable aspects of John's racing career was the fact that no matter what car he drove or who he drove for (including himself), he was always competitive. He is believed to be the only driver to have won point titles at Weedsport, Rolling Wheels, Canandaigua, Waterloo and Skyline speedways.
After another great year in 1975 with the Jim Sincerbeaux owned number 0 ride, which included a track championship at Rolling Wheels Raceway, John decided 1976 would be his last year racing. Except for a handful of races run in 1977, it was. In the end what John remains most remembered for aside from his countless victories, numerous track championships and post-season honors was his intense competitiveness on the track and easy going friendliness off it.
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