Dedication From a racing fan: Hodnett will never be forgotten

By Kenny Varner Jr.
- Tweet
- Pin It
Updated: January 29, 2019

Greg Hodnett entered turn one when it appeared something broke, possibly his steering, and his racer veered hard right into the guardrail near the turn one pit entrance. Hodnett’s racer stopped quickly due to blunt force.

Reports indicate the coroner was called to the scene just before 9 pm and the remainder of the nights racing action was cancelled. Danny Diietrich was declared the race winner. The race was called after lap 28.

Greg Hodnett arrived in central PA following successful stints in his home area of Memphis, Tennessee and the World of Outlaws. Hodnett took to the local racing scene and settled into the area. He enjoyed much success while competing for the area’s best sprint car owners including Bob Stewart, Al Hamilton, John Trone, Jim and Sandy Kline, and current owner Michael Heffner. Hodnett emassed records through out the country and in central PA that will stand the test of time.

Hodnett was on his way to collecting his sixth Williams Grove Speedway Track Championship in 2018.

Hodnett was the 1993 World of Outlaws Rookie Of The Year. The Spring Grove, PA driver went on to win 20 World Of Outlaws A Mains, the most recent being opening night of the Knoxville Iowa Sprint Car Nationals.

Hodnett was known as a gentleman competitor and fan favorite wherever he raced. He was not just a great sprint car driver. He was a great man who was a great ambassador to the sport of sprint car racing world. He was the kind of person you could say hi to and talk with even if he did not know you. He loved his family and he took time to talk to children and every body that said hi.

Once again the loss of a someone close to many of us reminds us of the danger of our sport, the reality of life that nothing is promised, today or tomorrow, and that nothing lasts forever.

All of our competitors know and accept the risks and knowledge that it could happen to them. I take solace that I believe a higher power holds the judgement and decides when it is time to call us home. That power, God Almighty, decided he needed Greg Hodnett tonight.

God Speed and Rest In Peace Greg Hodnett. You made a huge impact on central PA and racing all over the country. You may be gone, but you will never be forgotten.