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Remembering Bob Westphal

This is in honor of Bob Westphal.

Performance is synonymous with the name Westphal. It’s the name behind the potent Wesmar Racing Engines, one that has captured more Lucas Oil ASCS presented by MAVTV American Real, and ASCS regional titles.

It is with a heavy heart on this day that we lay to rest the man behind the power; Bob Westphal left this world to be with our maker at the age of 70.

A look at the history tab of Wesmar’s website shows beginnings that most wouldn’t guess for someone who builds Sprint Car engines. In fact, the dirt track was not where the Nebraska native earned his claim to fame as an engine builder. It began in California, 1968, working with Ed Pink Racing Engines in Van Nuys assisting with power plants for NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Cars.

Clients of the renowned California machine shop reads like a hall of fame induction list. Drivers like Don "The Snake" Prudhomme, Ed "The Ace" McCulloch, Tom "The Mongoose" McEwen, Don Schumacher, and Gene Snow, to name a few.

In 1978, Bob went to work Raymond Beadle. Charged with overseeing all machine work, Raymond kept everything in-house for his Blue Max Funny Car. Westphal’s engines powered the team to the 1979, 1980 and 1981 NHRA Funny Car Championships.

In 1982, Beadle announced the formation of the “Old Milwaukee Beer” racing team. Beadle piloted the Funny Car while Tim Richmond took his place in NASCAR but it was the formation of the team that brought Westphal to Sprint Cars with Sammy Swindell traveling with Ted Johnson’s World of Outlaws in the Old Milwaukee No. 1.

Bob left the Blue Max team in 1986 after earning the 1983 Knoxville National to open Wesmar Racing Engines with original business partner, Phil Ditmars. In 1988, Ditmars returned to Blue Max as a part of the Rusty Wallace team. He remains in NASCAR to this day.

In 1991, Bob extended half ownership to Dan Gentrup who worked with Westphal at Blue Max before following Bob to Bixby. A diesel mechanic who specialized in Tractor Pull engines. The pair had met in the 1970’s and was hired by Westphal to work at Blue Max in 1982.

The rest you could say is history with the Wesmar name competing successfully in NASCAR, ARCA, ASA, NCRA Late Models, as well as Sprint Cars, The All-Stars, ASCS, NHRA, WoO, and even Bonneville.

For the American Sprint Car Series, the Wesmar name stands at the following:

Lucas Oil ASCS presented by MAVTV American Real: 12 Championships

Terry Gray (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998)
Wayne Johnson (2000)
Zach Chappell (2001)
Gary Wright (2005, 2006, 2007)
Jason Johnson (2008)
Shane Stewart (2009, 2011)

Canyon Region: 2 Championships

Jeremy Sherman (2007, 2008)

Gulf South: 1 Championship

Ray Allen Kulhanek (2005)

Lone Star: 2 Championships

Matt Covington (2011, 2012)

Northern Plains: 2 Championships

Lee Grosz (2007, 2008)

Northwest: 1 Championship

Jayme Barnes (2008)

Rocky Mountain: 3 Championships

Gary Taylor (2005)
Derrik Ortega (2008)
Jake Ossenfort (2009)

Sooner Region: 6 Championships

Sean McClelland (2005)
Brian McClelland (2007, 2008)
Joe Wood, Jr. (2009, 2011)
Matt Covington (2012)

Southwest: 3 Championships

Rick Ziehl (2010, 2011, 2012)

Total ASCS Championships: 32

ASCS Knoxville Nationals: 9 Championships

Terry McCarl (1996, 2001)
Wayne Johnson (2000)
Billy Alley (2004, 2005)
Jesse Giannetto (2006)
Shane Stewart (2010, 2011, 2012)

Yes, the history of Wesmar tells a lot of the man who built power, but it’s through the words of his family, his employees, and his friends that tell us the real history of Bob Westphal.

Teresa Griffith

Bruce & I met Bob in 2009. The World of Outlaws were going to race on a Friday night & Channin Tankersley (Channin Tankersley Racing) was graduating from high school the night before. For his graduation gift we borrowed Ronald Laney's 410 motor from his father Mark. The motor hadn't been touched since Ronald died in 2002. Bob didn't know us at all, but I called him on Tuesday afternoon and told him the situation and asked if he could go through the motor. He never hesitated. He just asked when I would be arriving. I got to Bixby Oklahoma from Highlands Texas Wednesday about 3 pm. At noon Thursday he called me to let me know it was ready to be picked up. After realizing the history of the motor and what is was being used for...he refused to take a dime. From then on we were proud to call him our friend and privileged to have known him. The sprint car world has lost a wonderful man. He will be greatly missed by Old School & myself.

Susan Lehman Plude*

A good man will certainly be missed. Bob Westphal was a great camping neighbor at the Knoxville Nationals and we loved his engines he built for us. Checkers our dog loved going to Oklahoma to pick up an engine. Bob would let him in the shop and would play with him. Bob we are really going to miss you. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Randy Ostdickenberg, Sr.

I started racing ASCS 360s in 1993 and was honored to be able to buy the cars that Howie Sewell drove in 410s! I didn't have much money to spend and had to buy an engine that was not real fast and that blew up within 10 weeks of the start of the season. That night Bob came by my pit and looked it over and said get that thing out and bring it to me Monday! I told him that I didn't think I could afford to put it back together. He said just get it out and we will see how bad it is. So I did what I was told. As I sat in his office he took several phone calls that consisted of him telling big time WOO owners that there was just not enough time to build a new engine before the Knoxville nationals. As he told me that he would have mine built in about 3 weeks and just bring me some money whenever you can. He not only built it back but built it better and faster! Never once did he call or bring up in conversation anything about money! It took me several years to pay him off completely and even though I had quit racing he never once pressured me to pay him. Bob you were such a great engine builder, but you were an even better human being! RIP my friend; we will see you again one day!

Brian Sperry

Don't know what to say. Bob was a great person at the track and at home. I learned so much from him and he wanted to help anybody whether it was his motors or “brand x”. Thinking of the Westphal family and all the Wesmar motor guys. Think I will go make some beans tonight in honor of Bob. And only Kelly, Terry Gray, and Jimmy Carr will understand this.

Hugh Hipp

I’ve had the pleasure to work side by side with Bob over the past 20 years and know him to be one of the most understanding and generous people in my life. One could always count on Bob to take time out of his busy day, whether on the telephone or just a quick stop at the shop, to help diagnose an engine problem and share his expertise. The old saying “Time is money” was not the case with Bob, many times he would just tell them “catch me later” or maybe “buy me a Coke at the track”, he was satisfied just knowing that he helped another racer get to the track. I believe Bob’s passions were helping others then building engines. I will truly miss my friend Bob Westphal.

Dave Fineran

When Bob and Dan hired me, I really had never even heard of Wesmar Racing Engines. Sixteen years later, what a ride it’s been! Bob was the kind of guy that had a great passion for what he did and this was passed on to all of us at Wesmar. I can't say enough good things about the man. I am going to miss you like crazy old buddy, Godspeed Bruiser. I hope when he finds Chaz up there, he kicks him in the ass for me :)

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