February 7, 2014
Harold Leep, one of the region's most noted dirt track drivers who also ran Thunderbird Speedway on two occasions in the 1990s, died at his home here Thursday morning at 81.
Leep's racing career spanned 35 years, starting with jalopy stockers on the fair circuit in 1957 then progressing to sprint car and sport modifieds. He won multiple track championships in four states and in one season, 1969, achieved winning the track championships at Wichita, Kan., Tulsa and Oklahoma City. He was a top driver in IMCA modifieds, winning 28 races there. He also won 21 50-lap races and multiple NCRA championships.
He's also been inducted into eight racing halls of fame in six states, including the Outlaw Motor Speedway (now Outlaw Motorsports Park in Wainwright) Hall of Fame in 2009.
"I don't remember what my total championship count is, but it's a few," Leep told the Phoenix upon his induction at Outlaw.
One of his closest friends, met with him for breakfast every Tuesday. He gave him the lease to manage Thunderbird Speedway from 1990-95 before Leep returned to the track for three more years in 1997-99.
"We go back to the 1960s. I didn't race him very much, but I watched him a lot, watched him in Tulsa and in special races. I knew him as one of the best I've ever seen," His friend said. "He was the kind of driver who was always a crowd pleaser and a winner."
"My father's company called Mar-Car promoted races Harold would come here for," the Oklahoma City driver said. "He put it on everyone he raced against and really changed the picture of Oklahoma racing.
"He made guys step up and everyone wanted to be like him. A lot of my driving is patterned after him. It's a huge loss for everyone associated with racing in this state."
Arrangements are pending. Leep leaves behind his wife, a daughter, and two stepchildren.
Harold Leep, one of the region's most noted dirt track drivers who also ran Thunderbird Speedway on two occasions in the 1990s, died at his home here Thursday morning at 81.
Leep's racing career spanned 35 years, starting with jalopy stockers on the fair circuit in 1957 then progressing to sprint car and sport modifieds. He won multiple track championships in four states and in one season, 1969, achieved winning the track championships at Wichita, Kan., Tulsa and Oklahoma City. He was a top driver in IMCA modifieds, winning 28 races there. He also won 21 50-lap races and multiple NCRA championships.
He's also been inducted into eight racing halls of fame in six states, including the Outlaw Motor Speedway (now Outlaw Motorsports Park in Wainwright) Hall of Fame in 2009.
"I don't remember what my total championship count is, but it's a few," Leep told the Phoenix upon his induction at Outlaw.
One of his closest friends, met with him for breakfast every Tuesday. He gave him the lease to manage Thunderbird Speedway from 1990-95 before Leep returned to the track for three more years in 1997-99.
"We go back to the 1960s. I didn't race him very much, but I watched him a lot, watched him in Tulsa and in special races. I knew him as one of the best I've ever seen," His friend said. "He was the kind of driver who was always a crowd pleaser and a winner."
"My father's company called Mar-Car promoted races Harold would come here for," the Oklahoma City driver said. "He put it on everyone he raced against and really changed the picture of Oklahoma racing.
"He made guys step up and everyone wanted to be like him. A lot of my driving is patterned after him. It's a huge loss for everyone associated with racing in this state."
Arrangements are pending. Leep leaves behind his wife, a daughter, and two stepchildren.
February 7, 2014
Harold Leep, one of the region's most noted dirt track drivers who also ran Thunderbird Speedway on two occasions in the 1990s, died at his home here Thursday morning at 81.
Leep's racing career spanned 35 years, starting with jalopy stockers on the fair circuit in 1957 then progressing to sprint car and sport modifieds. He won multiple track championships in four states and in one season, 1969, achieved winning the track championships at Wichita, Kan., Tulsa and Oklahoma City. He was a top driver in IMCA modifieds, winning 28 races there. He also won 21 50-lap races and multiple NCRA championships.
He's also been inducted into eight racing halls of fame in six states, including the Outlaw Motor Speedway (now Outlaw Motorsports Park in Wainwright) Hall of Fame in 2009.
"I don't remember what my total championship count is, but it's a few," Leep told the Phoenix upon his induction at Outlaw.
One of his closest friends, met with him for breakfast every Tuesday. He gave him the lease to manage Thunderbird Speedway from 1990-95 before Leep returned to the track for three more years in 1997-99.
"We go back to the 1960s. I didn't race him very much, but I watched him a lot, watched him in Tulsa and in special races. I knew him as one of the best I've ever seen," His friend said. "He was the kind of driver who was always a crowd pleaser and a winner."
"My father's company called Mar-Car promoted races Harold would come here for," the Oklahoma City driver said. "He put it on everyone he raced against and really changed the picture of Oklahoma racing.
"He made guys step up and everyone wanted to be like him. A lot of my driving is patterned after him. It's a huge loss for everyone associated with racing in this state."
Arrangements are pending. Leep leaves behind his wife, a daughter, and two stepchildren.
Harold Leep, one of the region's most noted dirt track drivers who also ran Thunderbird Speedway on two occasions in the 1990s, died at his home here Thursday morning at 81.
Leep's racing career spanned 35 years, starting with jalopy stockers on the fair circuit in 1957 then progressing to sprint car and sport modifieds. He won multiple track championships in four states and in one season, 1969, achieved winning the track championships at Wichita, Kan., Tulsa and Oklahoma City. He was a top driver in IMCA modifieds, winning 28 races there. He also won 21 50-lap races and multiple NCRA championships.
He's also been inducted into eight racing halls of fame in six states, including the Outlaw Motor Speedway (now Outlaw Motorsports Park in Wainwright) Hall of Fame in 2009.
"I don't remember what my total championship count is, but it's a few," Leep told the Phoenix upon his induction at Outlaw.
One of his closest friends, met with him for breakfast every Tuesday. He gave him the lease to manage Thunderbird Speedway from 1990-95 before Leep returned to the track for three more years in 1997-99.
"We go back to the 1960s. I didn't race him very much, but I watched him a lot, watched him in Tulsa and in special races. I knew him as one of the best I've ever seen," His friend said. "He was the kind of driver who was always a crowd pleaser and a winner."
"My father's company called Mar-Car promoted races Harold would come here for," the Oklahoma City driver said. "He put it on everyone he raced against and really changed the picture of Oklahoma racing.
"He made guys step up and everyone wanted to be like him. A lot of my driving is patterned after him. It's a huge loss for everyone associated with racing in this state."
Arrangements are pending. Leep leaves behind his wife, a daughter, and two stepchildren.
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