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Local race car legend among honorees Sunday

Charlie Engle stands at the left and looks at Jim McWithey, who is driving Charlie's car, No. 31, in a race at Dayton Speedway in the 1950s.

Contributed photo Charlie Engle stands at the left and looks at Jim McWithey, who is driving Charlie's car, No. 31, in a race at Dayton Speedway in the 1950s.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Dale Huffman, Staff Writer 1:49 AM Thursday, October 29, 2009

Charles Frank “Charlie” Engle was a dedicated race car builder, owner and driver. He also was a well-known Dayton tavern owner.

A man who never married but had many friends, Charlie saw considerable success in his younger life as he built a reputation as a dedicated racing promoter and successful businessman.

Then his life came to a tragic end on Sept. 21, 1974, when he was shot to death at the age of 67.

It was my fortune to be one of Charlie’s friends, and it was by chance that I happened to be one of the last to talk to him before he was shot and killed during a holdup.

On Sunday, Nov. 1, Charlie will be honored when he is among 18 individuals who will be inducted into the newly organized Dayton Speedway Hall of Fame.

The event, organized by racer Mike Thompson, will begin at 1 p.m. at the Baum Opera House, 15 S. First St. in Miamisburg, and is sold out.

Because he was unable to locate any living relatives of Charlie’s, Mike invited me to accept this honor on my friend’s behalf.

It is a long legacy that Charlie leaves behind, but let me share some highlights.

Charlie was dedicated to the sport of racing, but for all the success there was also great tragedy.

On April 20, 1952, driver Gordon “Flash” Reid was driving Charlie’s race car at the old Dayton Speedway track when he lost control.

The car climbed out of control over the fourth turn railing and plowed into spectators. Two racing fans and a security guard were killed, along with Reid.

Some 98 fans were taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries, and one of the ambulances collided with a police car on the way to the hospital.

There was yet another incident three years later when a well-respected driver, Larry Crockett, died in Charlie’s car during another racing accident.

“Charlie remained devoted to the sport, but his interest began to wane a bit after that second tragedy,” Thompson said. “Then eventually Charlie pulled back from racing, and traded his race car to a local roofing company in exchange for roof repairs at one of his Dayton taverns.”

I met Charlie when I was a young police reporter, and sometimes would stop in the tavern at East Third and St. Clair streets downtown. On the night he died, I was Charlie’s last customer in the Third Street tavern known as Engle’s. We had talked, as usual, and he invited me to go with him to his tavern at 1147 E. Second St. to close up for the night.

As fate would have it, I headed home instead.

Later that night Charlie was shot and killed, along with a barmaid, during a holdup at the Second Street Engle’s Tavern. Three customers in the bar were also shot and injured. Three suspects were quickly apprehended and eventually tried and convicted for the crimes.

It took 30 years, but in 2004 a group of Charlie’s friends, in a drive spearheaded by Gene Heeter, raised cash and paid for a funeral marker to be placed at his grave site. The stone has a drawing of a race car on it marked with the number Charlie always used, Number 31.

Now, all these years later Charlie Engle is being remembered again, as he joins 17 others dedicated to the sport of racing.

Those being honored are: Clarence Anderson, Earl Baltes, Leal Beattie, Buster Blackford, Elbert Booker, Dick Dunlevy Jr., Charlie Engle, Dick Freeman, Frank Funk, Russ George, William Hale, Bob Korn, John Miller, Lee Raymond, Neal Sceva, Harvey Shapiro, Harold Smith and Don Thompson.

I am thankful that my friend Charlie, who drove in the fast lane, and lived a compelling and dramatic life, is among those being remembered. He was a good guy.

Dale Huffman wants your suggestions and story ideas. He’d like to share a story about you, your family, or a friend. This column is for you. Send e-mail to dhuffman@DaytonDailyNews.com or write to Dale at 1611 S. Main St. Dayton, OH 45409. Fax: (937) 225-2489. Phone: (937) 225-2272.

DALE HUFFMAN

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