Birky In the HOF?

[Snake X3]

I just watched SPEEDs coverage of the 2005 Knoxville Nationals. The had every lap of the race and some great interviews including one with Scott and another with Moyer. If any of you guys feel like watching some racing for 90 minutes, you could do a lot worse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2Nh1efHeK8

It got me thinking about Brian Birkhofer's career and whether he should be in the Hall of Fame. He didn't run a ton of races (Free Birky) or even win a ridiculous amount of races like the GOATs, but when the spotlight was on, he always shined the brightest. I say, "Sure. Why not?"

[JMDraceHD98]

World x2
USA Nationals x2
Knoxvill x2
DTWC
Firecracker
Silver Dollar Nationls

I'm bias but I don't see how he wouldn't be some day

[MMLLC]

I was away from the sport around the time Birky left. Why did he quit? What happened? But yes, he should 100% be in the HoF.

[joshroth14]

Top 10 all time in crown jewel wins. I would say he's a lock for the hall of fame

3 Illinois Fall Nationals
2 World 100's
2 Knoxville Nationals
2 USA Nationals
Show Me 100 winner ($40,000)
Silver Dollar Nationals winner ($26,000)
DTWC winner ($50,000)
Firecracker 100 winner ($40,000)
Jackson 100 winner
Prairie Dirt Classic winner

7 WoO wins
17 Lucas Oil wins

[Highside Hustler25]

Yes !
And thanks for the vid Snake.

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

Compared to Brightbill? Certainly!

[joshroth14]

I'm pretty sure he won a $50,000 race in 2001 after the twin towers had been taken out called the Freedom 100 at West Virginia Motor Speedway also which was a major race.

[MI Dirt Fan]

Wow. Look at those cars. Doesn't seem like 2005 was that long ago but once you stop and think...

[JMDraceHD98]

I'm pretty sure he won a $50,000 race in 2001 after the twin towers had been taken out called the Freedom 100 at West Virginia Motor Speedway also which was a major race.

You are correct. It was 50k to win STARS race October 20th 2001. I found it on DOD. I didn't even know he won that race.

[Phatdaddy]

Compared to Brightbill? Certainly!

Agree. Lots of racers are in the HOF with less credentials. Birky was one of the best. Right up there with Buck Simmons, Larry Moore, & Rodney Combs. Could win anywhere.. in any series. He was a HOFer 15 yrs ago.

[MI Dirt Fan]

You are correct. It was 50k to win STARS race October 20th 2001. I found it on DOD. I didn't even know he won that race.

If you look farther down in November he then won a unsanctioned $10k race (Kentucky common wealth cup) race at Kentucky lake motor Speedway

[joshroth14]

You are correct. It was 50k to win STARS race October 20th 2001. I found it on DOD. I didn't even know he won that race.

Thanks for finding that. I remember alot of the drivers ran special red, white and blue schemed cars for the race. Bloomquist even joined in and had a special patriotic scheme that he only ran for the race. If I remember correctly the tickets for the race was somewhere around $100 and once the drivers were paid the rest was going to be donated to the Red Cross I believe. It was a pretty cool deal.

[zyoung25]

You are correct. It was 50k to win STARS race October 20th 2001. I found it on DOD. I didn't even know he won that race.

I got the ticket stub to that race, Birky was kind of unknown to a lot of people when he won that race.

Get him in the HoF!

[93Nelson]

I was away from the sport around the time Birky left. Why did he quit? What happened? But yes, he should 100% be in the HoF.

He struggled the last few years. Wanted to be with family more. His wife voiced strongly about him not coming back. He raced a gheer'd up car a few nights and was done the year after he won at kville I think.

[mcarter815]

Even with his wins, he deserves to be in just off of the fan response. He always seemed like a popular driver.

[chupp n bloomer fan]

Thanks for finding that. I remember alot of the drivers ran special red, white and blue schemed cars for the race. Bloomquist even joined in and had a special patriotic scheme that he only ran for the race. If I remember correctly the tickets for the race was somewhere around $100 and once the drivers were paid the rest was going to be donated to the Red Cross I believe. It was a pretty cool deal.Don’t think they were that much. I was there. It was run in conjunction with Pennsboro I believe. Over a 100 cars. Got very freakin cold. Coldest I’ve ever been. KC Spurlock, a crook, promoted it. I think the Gross’s I wanna say ended up paying Birky. KC disappeared after that episode again.

[chupp n bloomer fan]

And yes, I think Birky is worthy of the HoF.

[TerryM]

Absolutely YES. There are way less deserving drivers already inducted.

[zyoung25]

Are the 4 people that voted no Bloomer fans that are still salty over the 02 world and 14 Knoxville wins? 😁

[EvelB7]

No question in my mind, YES! I grew up with him in the stands at West Liberty while our fathers raced, true racer and proud of what he has done. Earned everything he accomplished.

[TBSprintFan]

No question in my mind, YES! I grew up with him in the stands at West Liberty while our fathers raced, true racer and proud of what he has done. Earned everything he accomplished.

Definitely Yes, hard to believe he isn't there already.

[Pennsboro23]

The sad part is, he's still young enough that he could have added to those accomplishments and would have had a even better resume. Probably could have won another crown jewel or two.

[kazual]

Attended the 2005 Knoxville Nats. Startling thing is how many of the names in that video no longer race. Hope he makes it in, class act. Knowing when to quit is a tough decision, the latter days of greats like Muhammad Ali and Willie Mays are the flip side.

[PRCKartRacer9]

How can he not be? 2x World winner. DTWC. Guys are enshrined without a single crown jewel and he has how many exactly?

[heinen81]

Definitely should be added. Was a great talent, and has the accomplishments which in my mind, were even more impressive given the limited time we had him.

Now on to other business.. the HoF induction committee should probably run it past his wife first, in case she makes him turn it down. I get the whole family aspect, and its their business... but he sure didn't seem to want to walk away, and she knew what she was getting into before they got married. Women that bait and switch like that, really burn me. That was his passion and its her obligation to support him, even if that meant compromising and running a more limited schedule. How she acted on social media during his come back races a while ago, were embarrassing. I hope he is 100% behind the situation she put him in, if not... its a shame.

[TackyTracker]

kinda burns me too but it's a family decision that a lot of guys haven't made and it probably cost them.. Birky decided to hang it up but I still think we haven't heard the last of the 15B

[DirtRaceJunky]

Very easy to judge when you are NOT in their position. There are circumstances of his "comeback" that were less than stellar. These, less than stellar, moments were why she posted what she posted. It is their business & we as fans should respect that & leave it alone.

[Chris Thomason]

Absolutely YES. There are way less deserving drivers already inducted.


Definitely Yes, hard to believe he isn't there already.

I'm like you guys. How is he not already? Hell, I assumed he was! The DlmHoF is a joke anyway. Anybody who ever seen a race car for sale on Craigslist is eligible for induction

[71PRPFan]

Will Brian’s wife let him in the HOF that’s the question? #freeBirky

I was there when he won the world the 2nd time.
Methodical run. No doubt one of the greats

[Trax53]

Birkhofer..... Hall of Fame... YES, Without Question! Maybe it will happen next year!

[TerryM]

Anybody who ever seen a race car for sale on Craigslist is eligible for induction
lol ... Have to admit this got a chuckle out of me. The DLM HOF was a great idea, and long overdue, but they couldn't contain themselves and inducted too many, too fast, and now pretty much everybody is in. They should have realized the problem after the first four or five classes, but I guess not.

[Highside Hustler25]

Definitely should be added. Was a great talent, and has the accomplishments which in my mind, were even more impressive given the limited time we had him.

Now on to other business.. the HoF induction committee should probably run it past his wife first, in case she makes him turn it down. I get the whole family aspect, and its their business... but he sure didn't seem to want to walk away, and she knew what she was getting into before they got married. Women that bait and switch like that, really burn me. That was his passion and its her obligation to support him, even if that meant compromising and running a more limited schedule. How she acted on social media during his come back races a while ago, were embarrassing. I hope he is 100% behind the situation she put him in, if not... its a shame.

I'm assuming yer single:rolleyes:

[FastEd95]

Birky will get in soon, I believe. He very easily could have this year but the "geniuses" at the NDLMHOF went with fellow Iowan Don Hoffman. I was a huge Hoffman fan back in the day but I don't think he deserves to be in the Hall - he won some big races but nothing compared to Birky.

[Mindwalker]

Haven't read through any of this thread yet and don't know if Birky has met the criteria that constitutes being a hof'er... Has he? If was up to me the man should be in the hof, but its not my call. Hope he does make it in. If not, hope he comes back and gets it done.

[Mindwalker]

I'm assuming yer single:rolleyes:

Hitting on the members again? 😂

[Mud Packer]

Birky deserves to be a HoF member.

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

I'm assuming yer single:rolleyes:

I hate that your ball and chain is holding you back from your dreams.

[Mindwalker]

Birky deserves to be a HoF member.

I agree but there are some who think jd deserves to be also lol...

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

I agree but there are some who think jd deserves to be also lol...

He has accomplished as much, honestly.

[MontanaMagic1619*]

To the six so far who voted NO after I just voted, you have got to be kidding me. Birky deserves to go in whenever they have the next vote whether he's retired or not. My God, his accomplishments in our favorite sport here are as good as any driver to have ever raced, and in the fifty plus years I've watched DLM racing he's more than won his share of big races and been highly competitive in so many more. There should be no debate of his eligibility!

[TerryM]

I agree but there are some who think jd deserves to be also lol...
JD will definitely be in the HOF. He accomplished more in one season than a few current HOF members accomplished in their entire careers.

[TerryM]

To the six so far who voted NO after I just voted, you have got to be kidding me. Birky deserves to go in whenever they have the next vote whether he's retired or not. My God, his accomplishments in our favorite sport here are as good as any driver to have ever raced, and in the fifty plus years I've watched DLM racing he's more than won his share of big races and been highly competitive in so many more. There should be no debate of his eligibility!
Notice none of the 'no' voters have commented? That's not surprising.

[joshroth14]

Davenport has accomplished more than Birkhofer so no doubt that Davenport will be in as well.

[Clayton_Wetter]

I'm assuming yer single:rolleyes:

Now Backside, this isn't a dating sight!!!! :)

[No_Weak_Links]

6 people obviously never saw him wheel a LM.

[MI Dirt Fan]

So this race was never originally scheduled? How did it go head to head against the DTWC the same weekend?

[Laitmodelfan]

I remember around 2002 or 2003 the 15b running a mopar that had a sound of its own, clearly distinguishable from the other cars. He was a threat every where he ran.

[joshroth14]

So this race was never originally scheduled? How did it go head to head against the DTWC the same weekend?

The tracks only sit 40 miles apart. Some drivers had cars at both places and others made the trip back and forth. They qualified for the Freedom 100 on Sept. 19th and qualified for the DTWC on Sept. 20th during the day and came back to WVMS to run the Freedom 100 that evening which Birkhofer won and then went back to Pennsboro on the 21st to run the DTWC which Bart Hartman won. It was a $100,000 weekend.

[joshroth14]

The tracks only sit 40 miles apart. Some drivers had cars at both places and others made the trip back and forth. They qualified for the Freedom 100 on Sept. 19th and qualified for the DTWC on Sept. 20th during the day and came back to WVMS to run the Freedom 100 that evening which Birkhofer won and then went back to Pennsboro on the 21st to run the DTWC which Bart Hartman won. It was a $100,000 weekend.

Sorry in October not September. LOL

[Mindwalker]

Davenport has accomplished more than Birkhofer so no doubt that Davenport will be in as well.

Anyone with the gadgetry provided to jd would have.

[Rich Riedesel]

heck, yeah, put Birky in- I'd also like to see his dad, Dave in the HOF if only for his entertaining balls-out driving!

[EvelB7]

Stopped by West Liberty last year for a special (grew up around there, moved south), sat down and looked over and there was Dave B. Hadn't changed much, good to catch up with him. Yes, Dave was exciting and always on the throttle!

[Pennsboro23]

So this race was never originally scheduled? How did it go head to head against the DTWC the same weekend?

Pennsboro ran during the day. WVMS ran the evening. Like someone else said, the two tracks are only 30-35 min away from one another. It was a huge weekend. I wish I was old enough to remember much about that weekend.

[chupp n bloomer fan]

Pennsboro ran during the day. WVMS ran the evening. Like someone else said, the two tracks are only 30-35 min away from one another. It was a huge weekend. I wish I was old enough to remember much about that weekend.It was awesome. Both are closed now, what a dam shame.

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

Anyone with the gadgetry provided to jd would have.

How much was the gadgetry worth on the stop watch?

[cmmg42]

Brian Birkhofer should be in the dirt late model hall of fame