Without a doubt if you have followed racing
at Merrittville Speedway through the
decades, you have followed the exploits of many drivers - but how many
of you know of the dedicated car owners and mechanics behind the scenes.
Harvey Hainer Sr is one of those individuals, who worked
on cars, set their chassis' and loved to see them run on the track. Harvey's
career started back in 1957 when his brother-in-law Lloyd Holt decided
to go racing. Their first car was a Hudson Hornet Big 6, which Lloyd,
Harvey and Billy Matthews constructed on their farm. After Lloyd's wife
Betty applied the #23 with shoe polish - it was off to Merrittville Speedway
to test their skill. The car proved to be a strong runner but it wasn't
too competitive against the flat head Fords of that era.
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Their next racer was a 1938 Ford coach built to meet the
rules of the new Jalopy division. It was painted dark green and white
with the J-15 painted on it's sides. Again Lloyd Holt did the driving,
Harvey did the wrenching and Ray Stevens Service Center provided the sponsorship.
This time the Jalopy division was to their liking. In 1958 the J-15 ran
very competitively and Lloyd was gaining valuable experience. In 1959
the car would prove to be super competitive with Holt winning many championship
events but falling short of the Points title by 2 points to Bill Binning.
After competing successfully in the jalopies, Lloyd
and Harvey decided to move up to the Sportsmen division. Again a green
& white coupe was constructed - this time with more power, bigger wheels
and a quick change rear end. Ray Stevens returned as crew chief and together
with Lloyd and Harvey - the trio would form quite a successful team. Racing
on Friday nights at the new Speedway Park and Saturdays at Merrittville
- the #15 would be a threat every time out. Lloyd Holt would win many
races and was also the last driver of the 1960's era to win the Johnny
Spencer Memorial and the Jerry Winger Memorial in the same year - 1965.
Soon, a young late model driver by the name of Mike Zajac
would enter the picture. A very consistent winner, Zajac - behind the
wheel of his white #88 55 Chevrolet. One thing was missing though as Mike
wanted to make the move to the Sportsmen division. Mike had learned the
tracks well - contending for championships at both Speedway Park and Merrittville.
If my recollection is correct, Mike had master car builder
'Wimpy' Nicholls build a white Sportsmen coupe again painted white with
the #8 on it's side as Bruce VanDyke already had the 88.
Harvey Hainer came on board as mechanic and crew chief and
the two made a formidable combination. Mike honed his skills as a driver
and Harvey kept the car race ready. In 1969 the championship was so close
that George Treanor in the 67 beat Zajac in the feature and won the overall
points by 2 at Speedway Park on the last night of racing. It was George's
year as he also drove the Jimmy Binks' 67 to Merrittville Speedway's Point
championship as well.
However, Mike Zajac - now known as the Beamsville Breadman
would not be denied. A newly constructed big block coupe with the familiar
checkered flag #8 would appear - racing against the likes of Bob St. Amand
Sr., George Treanor, Jeno Begolo, and Ivan Little. The early 1970's would
belong to Mike Zajac and Harvey Hainer. The two were the only driver-crew
chief combination to win 3 Sportsmen Modified Championships - 1971, 1973
and 1974. this was truly a racing dynasty but a quiet one as Mike Zajac
did very little talk and kept his focus on racing. However in 1975 while
competing in a Modified event at Merrittville Speedway, Mike's now blue
# 8 Coupe caught another car's wheel and flipped violently - destroying
the once immaculate Coupe. Bob St. Amand Sr - a fellow competitor at the
time said it was one of the worst wrecks that he has ever seen. We are
able to say that while that wreck ended Mike's career he is here tonight
with us enjoying the reunion.
While Harvey Sr was spending all this time on the Zajac car
- a young Harvey Jr and Davey Moore would help on the car as well. So
after Mike decided to retire a young Harvey Jr took to the wheel of a
Late Model in 1975.
For 1976, Harvey joined the ranks of the Modifieds and the
2H was born. While Harvey would wrench on his son's Modified - Harvey
Jr would gain success - winning Merrittville rookie of the year honors
in 1976. It would be Jr's brother-in-law to be Davey Moore who would dominate
the class from 1975 to 1979. Finally in 1981, the Hainer Family- Part
Mart Special # 2H would win the Points Championship at Merrittville Speedway.
Harvey Sr. would continue to field cars for his son until the 2H retired
at the end of the 1997 season.
From 1997 to 2000 Harvey Hainer Sr continues to help up and
coming racers set up and work on their cars. Harvey can still be spotted
in the pits working on a modified. At first he helped 'rookie' Dan Miller
- last week's feature winner. Miller's first car was the former 2H of
Harvey Jr. Currently Sr is lending a hand to Chris Ricker and his # 13
Modified.
Harvey has always had the support of his family but especially
that of his wife - Mori. When not working with his son at the family business
- Hainer's Discount Tire or a DIRT Modified - Harvey and Mori can be spotted
cruising in their vintage Ford Flat Head Coach to Cruise Nights - and
you can bet that it's not all stock.
So thanks Harvey for all you've brought to
our sport - there aren't too many people whose career has spanned five
decades at something they love. |
