Ernie Derr has Passed

[Aero426]

Hearing that Ernie Derr, king of the dirt track Charger driver passed away today, age 92.

[Aero426]

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[Aero426]

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[Aero426]

Keokuk Racers Reunion 2006

[tan top]

  sad !  shame ! 92 is a good age though !!  remember reading about his racing career in one of the mopar mags years ago & a feature on his 70 charger with a 69 front end ,  he was the man on dirt tracks  by all accounts !  

RIP 

[Aero426]

This photo is from last summer at Ernie's shop auction in Keokuk Iowa.    Ernie is with his wife.   The people on the right are Ramo and Judy Stott.

[hemi68charger]

Sounds like Ernie had a very full life.......... RIP Earnie....... 

[charge69]

R.I.P. Mr. Derr!  Sounds like a full life, indeed! I hate to see anyone pass, no matter what their age! Prayers and blessings for his wife and family.

[Dave Kanofsky]

Thanks for letting us know Doug, sad to hear another great is gone.
Prayers for his family and friends.

[odcics2]

Ernie was (is) a hero to Charger drivers everywhere! 

[Ghoste]

One of the best stock car drivers ever and a loyal Dodge guy who never really got the star acclaim he deserved.  But I don't know that he sought it out either.

[tan top]

Ernie was (is) a hero to Charger drivers everywhere!  

         

One of the best stock car drivers ever and a loyal Dodge guy who never really got the star acclaim he deserved.  But I don't know that he sought it out either.

true , think he  had more first place finishes than the King , but went pretty much un noticed because he raced in another series think it was IMCA,  grand national  not what is NASCAR today  ,  

[Aero426]

Good article on Ernie from the local Keokuk Iowa paper today.   

http://www.dailygate.com/article_b18791cf-7611-5d76-ac29-dafd3e478015.html

[odcics2]

Thanks for posting that.

[tan top]

   good read thanks for posting 

[rustafarian]

My hero

[odcics2]

from jayski.com

Sad News - Ernie Derr: Ernie Derr didnt need to brag about his racing career. He let his records in racing speak for himself. Derr helped put Keokuk (Iowa) on the map with his accomplishments. He was a 12-time International Motor Contest Association champion and is the winningest driver in the history of the circuit. Derr was a master mechanic and a dirt track whiz. Derr died Wednesday in his home. He was 92. Derr dominated IMCA racing from 1959 to 1962, claiming four consecutive titles. He won 101 races during that four-year span, including 30 in 1959 and 28 in 51 races in 1962. Derr cut back on his racing after the 1971 season. He ran a limited schedule in the USAC series through 1976 and ended his racing career at the Fall Jamboree at Knoxville in September 1977. Complete records of Derrs achievements arent available because they were destroyed in a fire, but he finished with more than 300 feature wins in his illustrious career.(in part from the Daily Gate City). Derr ran one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in 1953 at Davenport Speedway in Davenport, IA finishing 11th. See the full obituary, service info at DeJong-Greaves Celebration of Life Center.(1-10-2014)