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A TRIBUTE TO A FALLEN STAR A championship, in any sport, at any age, is something for anyone to be proud of. To win 3 national championships in the most competitive and lethal form of sport yet invented--sprint car racing--before the age of 26 is awe inspiring. Such was the driving of one Robbie Stanley. The kid from Brownsburg, IN hit the USAC sprint car circuit in the spring of 1991. He debuted on the high banked asphalt of Winchester Speedway and drove away with the feature. He amazed us with his talent and scared us with his bravery as he campaigned the rest of the '91 season driving the family sprinter. A veteran of Midwest dirt tracks, he took to the paved speedways like the proverbial duck to water. We sometimes wondered if he had more brave than brains, but he did have that rare ability to put his car where others would not, and succeed. By seasons end, Robbie had not only won the USAC national sprint car title, he had proved that he had the brains along with the brave. He was fast, very fast. He was aggressive but had also developed into a smooth, heads-up racer. Robbie came back in 1992 and proved that his phenomenal rookie season was not just good luck. Car hopping along the way, he again emerged as No. 1. For the 1993 season he teamed with the fabulous Hoffman sprinter. The former Rich Vogler stable provided Robbie with the ride that would propel him to his 3rd consecutive USAC sprint car title. He was leading the 1994 standings and driving the Hoffman car when tragedy struck on the awesome highbanks of Winchester Speedway, Thursday, May 26. A minor spin and wall contact left the hapless Stanley sitting broadside on the frontstretch. Traveling at near full speed, with no time for avoidance, another racer struck the immobile champion with a direct hit at the cockpit. In a split second the world of racing had lost a star and a family had lost a son. During the past few seasons I watched Robbie race and was thrilled. I listened to him talk of his future plans and was hopeful. We discussed his adamant stand that he was not going to pay for a ride, in any type of race car, and I was proud of his integrity. At times like this we may wonder how we can love a sport so much, that can be so cruel. I guess racing is an imperfect sport, we live in an imperfect world. Mourn Robbie Stanley but do not mourn his manner of passing. To do so would diminish the greatness of this young man's life and his accomplishments. Like all racers, Robbie knew the risks of his profession and accepted them without reservation. As always, racing will go on. New stars will appear and great drivers will emerge. However, I feel that we have lost someone not soon to be replaced. If you saw Robbie race then you will never forget him; if you didn't, then you missed someone very special. Robbie's family always came first with him. To that family we offer sincere prayers that God will see you through this time of grief. God Speed, Robbie Stanley. You gave 110 percent and made us proud.
Personal Info
Career Highlights
1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1985 - 1988 1984 1974 - 1984
THE DANCE "For a moment, all the world was right...." This Garth Brooks song is one that we believe sums up Robbie's life very well. At the request of Robbie's family, it was played at his funeral and will always be a reminder to them of the dance they shared with their son and brother.
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Last updated 3/23/2006 |
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The
following article appeared in the MARC Times Racing News on May 31, 1994, and is
reprinted with their permission. 
Competed with the All Star
Circuit of Champions, 
