Chandler leads 2014 Wall of Fame class

CEDAR RAPIDS - When rain started to fall midafternoon Friday in Cedar Rapids, the writing was on the wall pretty quickly about whether or not races would be run at Hawkeye Downs Speedway. With no large-scale track drying equipment, even the fairly short shower was enough to wash out the evening.

But the rain couldn't wash out the 13th annual Wall of Fame night, which moved from the front stretch of Hawkeye Downs to inside the Expo Center. Races or no races, the new inductees, friends and family were able to enjoy the moment.

The headliner of the 2014 class was 'Swervin” Merv Chandler - winner of 118 career IMCA main events and a dozen or so track championships - who died unexpectedly March 10. His wife Connie, sons Brad, Nate, Dallas and Adam, and daughters Destiney and Delaney were there to accept the award.

'I always saw the Wall of Fame and thought it would be cool - I never thought he'd ever get inducted because he spent most of his time dirt racing,” Brad Chandler said. 'It was cool. It was kind of a surprise. I didn't even know, and my mom called me. I didn't believe her, then finally my brother told me so I believed it.

'It's cool to actually see it and not just think about it.”

John Parks is the man back in charge - he had four years off - of putting together the Wall of Fame class, something he started back in 2002.

The Chandler family may have been surprised Hawkeye Downs gave Merv the honor now, but for Parks, it was absolutely a no-brainer. Merv was credited with helping kick-start the Sport Compact/Hornet division, and Parks said everyone he consulted was overwhelmingly in favor of the honor, just 3 1/2 months after his death.

'Merv had died so suddenly and so unexpectedly, everyone I talked to was in uniform agreement that he needed to be in there,” Parks said. 'He was our No. 1 pick for this year.”

It was obviously an emotional night for the Chandlers, and Connie said it was one they won't soon forget - even if the rain changed the circumstances a bit.

And though it won't bring him back, an honor like this served as a moment to talk about what made Merv so great on the track - something she said came at the right time.

'It is awesome. It's overwhelming,” Connie said. 'I was pleased to see Merv was honored this soon. Because who knows what the future would've brought. I'm sure there would've been more records and more history and stuff.

'Even though it's so soon, this is what we needed. It helps with the fond memories. We're always moving forward, but the memories will still be created, and we'll always include him in them.”

The timing for Wall of Fame night was scheduled for this weekend because a week from today is the Coors Light Summer Shootout, which will feature the Merv Chandler Memorial, a 42-lap main event for IMCA Sport Compacts which will pay out $2,000 with no entry fee. The race will be run in support of the ARCA Midwest Tour event. Brad Chandler has worked with Griffin McGrath and McGrath Powersports, among others, to get the race put on, and expect nearly 50 cars to be entered.

As for the other inductees Friday night, Virgil Dietz and Lee Behrens were on hand to receive their plaques, while Jim and Don Pospishil and Shane Carson had representatives there in their place.

It was an important night, Parks said, to recognize the history of what made Hawkeye Downs great for so many years.

'That's why we do it, and it's a thrill,” Parks said. 'It's a thrill to see the old timers come back and reminisce and enjoy each other, and enjoy telling (stories).”

An additional ceremony will be held during the July 11 racing program for those inductees who can return.

l Comments: (319) 368-8884; jeremiah.davis@sourcemedia.net