USAC WEST COAST RACING AMBASSADORS CHAFFIN AND GOECKE PASS AWAY

USAC’s west coast racing scene was hit hard this past week with the passing of a pair of great ambassadors to the sport, longtime sprint car owner Ron Chaffin and team sponsor Ken Goecke.

Chaffin, of Madera, Calif., passed away Saturday morning, February 26, at the age of 77.  Chaffin’s red number 50 has been prolific over the years, winning 66 AMSOIL USAC/CRA features and six championships (2005 & 2008-2012) since the series inception in 2004 with drivers Damion Gardner and Mike Spencer behind the wheel.  In addition, Ron Chaffin-owned cars, along with crew chief Bruce Bromme, Jr., won eight SCRA owner titles (1995-2000, 2002-2003).  Drivers Lealand McSpadden (1995) and Richard Griffin (1998-2000, 2002-2003) won SCRA driver championships in Chaffin cars.

Ron Chaffin’s car also made a big splash in the Midwest scene as well.  In 1997, with Griffin at the wheel, Chaffin’s car was fast qualifier in all six races the car appeared during “Indiana Sprint Week.”  In 2000, Griffin won his only USAC National Sprint feature during a preliminary night for the “Terre Haute National Open” at the Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track.  Among the team’s five USAC National wins was Mike Spencer’s triumph during the Budweiser “Oval Nationals” in 2012.

Goecke, 64, of Irvine, Calif., passed away Friday, February 25.  He was the owner of Scott Sales Company, the sponsor of the Alexander Racing number 4 car driven by Gardner in the AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Series.  Goecke was previously a sponsor of the Kittle Motorsports #18 driven by Danny Sheridan.

Damion Gardner, who has been associated with both Chaffin and Goecke throughout the last decade, reflected upon the impact both men had on his racing career.

“When I was young, all I wanted to do was make a living racing,” Gardner said.  “He (Chaffin) gave me my first opportunity as a fully-paid driver.  He allowed me to see things from a car owner’s point of view.  He was a good friend and very straightforward, much like me.”

“Ken (Goecke) was a big-hearted guy who helped a lot of people,” Gardner said.  “He was a successful businessman who enjoyed the ins and outs of racing and loved being involved with the (Alexander Racing) team.  His sponsorship was his connection to the sport of auto racing.  They were both great friends and guys like these are hard to replace in the sport.”

At press time, information on Chaffin’s funeral arrangements has not been released.  

Goecke’s viewing will take place on Monday, February 29 from 4-7pm at the Norco (Calif.) Family Funeral Home.