Show Me Vintage Racing

ds—Leo Hoefer, Dave Sneger, and the unforgettable Mickey Fleehart—and together they crafted something from nothing. A few rules, a few cars, a whole lot of heart. Jim convinced a handful of tracks to let this new idea take the green flag… and suddenly old engines were roaring again, old rivalries were reborn, and memories of days long gone came thundering back to life. When Jim stepped away, Mickey and Christy Fleehart poured their hearts into SMVR. Mickey didn’t just lead this club—he lived for it. He loved the people, the cars, the stories, the laughter echoing through the pits. He built a brotherhood. He built a family. And he did so with unwavering dedication…until the day we lost him. Since Mickey’s passing, some of his closest friends—Dan Schmidt, Rodney Ashworth, Jim Thorne, Brad Barlow—formed a committed Steering Committee, that vowed to keep his vision alive. It hasn't been easy--but they have carried this Series with integrity, loyalty, and love… the very values Mickey embodied. Every decision, every race night, every new idea—they carry him forward. In recent years, SMVR has grown in ways that would have made every founder proud. Our car counts are unmatched, tracks across the Midwest welcome us with excitement, and our fanbase has exploded—reaching record-setting heights online and in the stands. We have become a family that stretches far beyond the pits. Beginning in 2026, we proudly introduce something new—the SMVR Young Gun Junior Fan Club. A way to nurture the next generation, teach them work ethic, safety, respect, and the love of vintage racing. A way to ensure that what Jim started, and what Mickey carried, continues for decades to come. It’s not just a program—it’s a promise: that SMVR’s future will be just as strong as its history. Through every chapter—past, present, and future—one thing remains constant: SMVR is about nostalgia, family, legacy, and love for the sport. It’s about letting seasoned racers relive the magic. It’s about showing fans what their dads and grandfathers raced. It’s about community… the kind you can only find on red clay under stadium lights. "This isn’t the end of anything. This is the continuation of something extraordinary."
-Angela Ashworth, 2025 Legacy Recipient

SMVR is where history lives, where memories matter,
and where the future of vintage racing is being built—one lap at a time.