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Leroy Anthony Neumayer passed on to greater racing on May 7th, 2006. He was 75 years old. He was born August 22, 1930 in Carroll, Iowa to Joseph and Teresa Poeppe Neumayer and was the youngest of five children. The family relocated to Compton, California in 1931. He started racing motorcycles at age 15 and was soon drag racing on the streets of Long Beach. He was drafted into the Army in 1950, served three years in Korea, was decorated numerous times, including the Silver Star, our Nations second highest honor for Gallantry and Heroism. Upon discharge he returned to California and continued building high performance motors, drag racing on the recently constructed dragstrips and running at the Bonneville Salt Flats where he became one of the earliest of the “200 Mile Per Hour” club. A 1955 issue of Hot Rod Magazine featured Leroy and good friend Roy Reed with their Belly Tank racer built from a P-38 fighter plane fuel tank. This Ardun powered Salt Flats car also set records at Bonneville.
Leroy went on to run with nearly every competitive racing organization in the country starting with the California Racing Association and then the International Motor Contest Association where he was “Rookie of the Year” in 1957, driving for Dizz Wilson. He moved on to USAC, driving for most notably, Eddie Kuzma in his Gray Ghost Sprinter and later for Jud Philps in the Konstant Hot car. During his career he held drivers credentials with every major racing organization in the U.S. including NASCAR. During this time he was one of a select group to represent Ford in its competitive promotions of the new Mercury Comet in racing events in South Africa and the endurance event from the tip of South America to Fairbanks Alaska. His last race as a driver was in a Midget at Ascot Park in 1969. During his career he became one of the most sought after mechanics at the Speedway where he wrenched for some of the best drivers to run the Brickyard in Jim Hurtibise, Roger McCluskey, Parnelli Jones and spending nine years with AJ Foyt where they won the 500 twice.
In 1965 he came to the Circle S Ranch at Cora Wyoming with Elmer George the son-in-law of Tony Hulman, owner of the Indiannapolis Speedway. He fell in love with the country and soon moved to the area where he helped Elmer guide hunters, pack meat and put up hay, but would still return to the Speedway as a mechanic and later as a spectator, taking in the Memorial day event and visiting his many friends. He married Joann Hicks-Dyess in 1976. For several years after he and Joann were married, he hauled cattle, fuel, heavy equipment and worked on several ranches. Leroy is survived by his wife of 35 years, two step children, Amy Belveal and husband Phil of Pinedale and Corey Dyess and wife Kim of Laramie, four Grandchildren, one great Grandchild and one sister, Norma Lesperance of Apple Valley California and several Nieces and Nephews. He was preceeded in death by his parents, three brothers, Walter, Paul and Donald and one Nephew.
After Leroy's combat experience in Korea the dangers involved at Bonneville and the open cockpit Sprint car competition, where they sometimes reached speeds of 150 mph on the treacherous old one mile dirt ovals, must of seemed mild in comparison. Leroy enjoyed a successful career in the old IMCA driving for Dizz, and Dizz changed drivers often, all except for Leroy I am told. He liked Leroy because he could set up any car to handle, could tune any engine, Dizz liked the Offy’s, could repair or fabricate body components and “He stood on the Gas.” Leroy once told me he had developed the perfect specifications for a Sprint driver in those days. “You had to have a size 13 shoe, wear a size 50 jacket and sport a size 3 hat.” When once asked what it took to be a driver, Leroy replied without hesitation, ”those of us too lazy to work became drivers.” Last year I introduced Leroy to Jack Hahn of Moran, Wyoming and the two really hit it off. Jack ran Sprinters in the Midwest and at the Hill Climb and the two had a lot to talk about when it came to racing. It was a real priviledge to be present at the care facility in Jackson when they got together and just listen. During the last phone conversation I had with Leroy he told me Jack had been in to see him and “We left rubber all over the ceiling.” Leroy made a request sometime ago that the following be read at his funeral. With the approval of Deacon Kostelc to do so. I will add that the language is a little racy, so protect yourselves. “LIFES JOURNEY IS NOT TO ARRIVE SAFELY IN A WELL PRESERVED BODY, BUT RATHER TO SLIDE IN SIDEWAYS, TOTALLY WORN OUT SHOUTING, HOLY SHIT WHAT A RIDE!!!“ I would also like to mention that Leroy has been nominated for induction into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame at Knoxville, Iowa, but the number of votes received in the past has not been sufficient to achieve induction. I would offer to you the opportunity to assist in this process by writing to this organization and nominating Leroy for this honor he well deserves. The address is: National Sprint Car Hall of Fame, P.O Box 542, Knoxville Iowa 50138. Later this week, Corey Dyess will head up to Bacon Ridge on horseback and spread Leroy's ashes at his favorite hunting camp.
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