by Jerry Nowicke of Louisville, KY
Jerry Nowicke discussed the racing life of his father, Bob Nowicke, whose midgets carried drivers such as Lloyd Ruby, A.J. Foyt, Bob Tattersall, Len Sutton, Mike Nazaruk and Tony Bettenhausen to wins in the AAA and USAC midget wars.
Bob Nowicke built his first midget race car during the post WWII rapid growth period, and connected with a very young Ruby. Together, they won numerous events throughout the mid-west.
In 1965, Bob won the prestigious Continental Casualty Safety Award based on his implementation of a high-strength fastener program at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The founder of Fastener Sales & Engineering was inducted into the Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame & National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame for his contributions to racing.
Few car owners garnered as much success as Bob Nowicke – he knew how to pick drivers.