Barry Kettering (racing driver)
| Barry Kettering | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1934 |
| Died | 1976 |
| Years in Thunder Bay | 1934–1961 |
Barry Kettering (1934–1976) was a stock car and sprint car driver who dominated local competition at the Exhibition Grounds before finding success in the United States. Barry Kettering was inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 1982 as an athlete.[1]
Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame
Barry Kettering was inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame on 25 September 1982 in the athlete category for auto racing, representing Fort William.[1]
Career
Born on December 25, 1934, Kettering established himself as an experienced stock car driver in Fort William by the time he was 22 years old. During the early 1950s through 1961, he was a prominent figure at the Exhibition Grounds track in Thunder Bay. In September 1954, he established a new track record for the Fast Car Event, completing an eight-lap, four-mile race in three minutes and 51 seconds. His popularity among fans resulted in him being voted the most popular driver at the track in both 1955 and 1957.[1]
Kettering maintained his status as the premier driver at the Exhibition Grounds for four consecutive years starting in 1957. He secured the track championship in 1958, finishing the season 18 points ahead of the runner-up, and successfully defended the title in 1959. During his final local appearance in 1961, he won every event in the program and lowered his own four-mile race record to a time of 3:23.[1]
In 1961, Kettering relocated to the Minneapolis area in Minnesota to continue his career. He spent twelve years competing in the region before founding the Midwest Sprint Association (MSA) in 1973. He became the dominant force in the new organization, winning the MSA Championship for three straight years from 1973 to 1975. He was recognized by the Minneapolis Tribune as a top contender who frequently led or won races across various tracks in the Midwest.[1]
While still active as a leading driver in 1976, Kettering was involved in a fatal on-track accident. He passed away on June 11, 1976, at the age of 42. His legacy in racing includes his role as a founder and champion within the Midwest Sprint Association.[1]
Residence in the Thunder Bay area (1934–1961) rests on the following dated evidence. Born in 1934, he was a local stock car driver from the early 1950s until he moved to Minneapolis in 1961.[1]
Honours and achievements
- Set a track record of 3:51 for the four-mile Fast Car Event in 1954
- Voted most popular driver at the Exhibition Grounds in 1955 and 1957
- Held the title of top driver at the Exhibition Grounds from 1957 to 1961
- Won the track championship at the Exhibition Grounds in 1958 and 1959
- Established a four-mile race record of 3:23 in 1961
- Founded the Midwest Sprint Association in 1973
- Won the Midwest Sprint Association Championship in 1973, 1974, and 1975[1]
- Possibly the same as Barry Noel Kettering; the name matches, but too little is shared to merge the pages.
- Possibly the same as Barry Kettering; the name matches and some details fit, but too little is shared to merge the pages.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 "Barry Kettering", athlete profile, Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, https://www.nwosportshalloffame.com/athlete-profile/773519a6-9e9f-4cc0-afd5-6969c3f4b2ec (accessed 31 October 2026). Archived copy on datum.locker.