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.