Florida sprint car driver Frank Riddle died last week at age 78. Riddle is well known for capturing two victories and five pole positions in the legendary Little 500 at Anderson, IN. This short track race starts 33 sprinters three abreast for 500 laps. You can imagine the congestion. From 1978 through 1997, Riddle's smooth style served him well in the world's biggest pavement sprint car race. It is probably the only sprint car race with pit stops for fuel and tires.
Riddle started racing in 1948. In 1980, he was the oldest driver to win USAC Rookie of the Year honors in the sprint car division. He is credited with 250 feature victories in 48 years of racing.
A retired CSX railroad engineer, Riddle spent his time farming in the years before his death.
