For the first time in the history of Maine Vintage Racing Association, two Aroostook County racers are being inducted into the Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame. Rodney “Chink” Maynard of Presque Isle and Robert “Bobby” Alexander of Mars Hill, now residing in Ellsworth, were named as part of the seven-member Class of 2014 to be inducted into the shrine at the Augusta Civic Center April 5.
According to Joe Chamberlain of Woodland, a member of the selection committee, Maynard received the highest number of votes in every round of voting on a list of names which includes over 140 nominees from around the state. Chamberlain said this was the first year for nominees from Spud Speedway in the 11-year history of the hall of fame.
Maynard was thrilled and surprised when he heard of the honor.
“I could not believe I was voted into the hall of fame,” said Maynard. “I was just doing something I enjoyed doing.”
Maynard, now 75 years old, started racing at the track when it was built in 1964.
“I signed my name as Chink so my wife (Germaine) would not know I was driving. After the fourth weekend, however, she kept asking ‘Who is this Chink Maynard?’ I had to come clean. She became my biggest fan, coming to every race until I got done.”
Maynard had over 100 wins for five different owners. Documented track championships in Spud’s top division were five. A lack of records in some of the years when the track was under different management may show even more championships.
One of Maynard’s first rides was one he shared with his younger brother Butch who was sponsored by Elky Woodman’s garage in Washburn.
“One day, the No. 23 car, a ’56 Chevy, won the feature with Butch driving, the mechanic’s race driven by Chink and the women’s race when driven by Lois Spooner,” according to Woodman, who resides in Washburn.
“I remember Chink coming from a feature race when he was driving the Jim England ’37 Ford coupe with a Corvette engine in it. The car was not handling very well, yet Chink man-handled it to the finish saying at the conclusion, ‘I have blisters on my hands clear up to the elbows.’”
Maynard’s daughter, Ronnette Maynard Griffin of Presque Isle, was proud with the honor bestowed on her father.
“As a child, every summer weekend that I can remember was filled with the sounds of roaring engines and checkered flags,” Griffin said. “I have wonderful memories of the drive in the family car over to Caribou, listening to my mom and dad talk about the race ahead. And on the drive home hearing them talk about the race and how the car handled and the reason he held back before making a move that gave him the win.”
Sixty-five year old Alexander grew up on the family farm in Mars Hill. In fact he met his future wife, Kristi, when she went to work on their farm.
Alexander credits his high school agriculture teacher, Whit Whittaker, with opening his eyes to opportunities that he would never have dared to dream. His love of racing was ignited when his high school’s Future Farmers of America chapter ventured to the Big E in West Springfield, Mass. A big race at the half-mile track there ignited the curiosity and desire to race stock cars, which he pursued when he came back to The County.
His 22-year racing career began by helping Mars Hill’s Eddie “The Red Baron” Gilman in 1968. His racing career continued until 1990. In 2012, he dusted off the racing helmet and raced his grandson Wyatt Alexander in a NELCAR race at Speedway 95, where his grandson beat him.
Chamberlain credited Alexander’s induction with every track knowing about the Mars Hill native, his 100-plus race wins and his extraordinary car-building abilities.
Jennifer Dicker Trombley of Presque Isle, who attended races as a teenager, recalls idolizing Alexander.
“He was our Spud Speedway childhood hero. No one was any cooler than Bobby Alexander,” Trombley said. “I am obviously very happy for his success and being selected. It brings back fond memories of going to Spud Speedway every Saturday night to cheer on our beloved No. 96 car.”
Mark Jones of Caribou, a Spud Speedway contemporary, called Alexander “a racer’s racer.”
“He was an all-around racer who worked on the cars. Bobby would spend many late nights working on race cars and innovating. When he was running well, he was hard to beat,” Jones said.
Alexander admitted being surprised and “very honored” with the nomination and upcoming induction.
“I never won any track championships,” said Alexander. “I always ran to win and sometimes that led to me taking chances that took me out of the race. I am in awe of being named to the hall of fame — totally surprised and very honored.”
Tickets to the induction ceremony may be purchased at the website www.mainevintageracecars.com for $40 per person.
