Show Me Vintage Racing Series

About Us:

In 2001, a man named Jim Cox had a dream—a simple one, really. He wanted to bring back the kind of racing that shaped childhoods, built friendships, and lit a fire in the hearts of anyone who ever sat in a wooden grandstand and breathed in the dust. So he built a couple of cars, gathered a few friends—Leo Hoefer, Dave Sneger, and the unforgettable Mickey Fleehart—and together they crafted something from nothing. A few rules, a few cars, a whole lot of heart.

Jim convinced a handful of tracks to let this new idea take the green flag… and suddenly old engines were roaring again, old rivalries were reborn, and memories of days long gone came thundering back to life.

When Jim stepped away, Mickey and Christy Fleehart poured their hearts into SMVR. Mickey didn’t just lead this club—he lived for it. He loved the people, the cars, the stories, the laughter echoing through the pits. He built a brotherhood. He built a family. He built us.

And he did so with unwavering dedication…until the day we lost him.

Since Mickey’s passing, some of his closest friends—Dan Schmidt, Rodney Ashworth, Jim Thorne, Brad Barlow—formed a committed Steering Committee, that vowed to keep his vision alive. They have carried this Series with integrity, loyalty, and love… the very values Mickey embodied. Every decision, every race night, every new idea—they carry him forward.

In recent years, SMVR has grown in ways that would have made every founder proud. Our car counts are unmatched, tracks across the Midwest welcome us with excitement, and our fanbase has exploded—reaching record-setting heights online and in the stands. We have become a family that stretches far beyond the pits.

And beginning in 2026, we proudly introduce something new—the SMVR Young Gun Program.
A way to nurture the next generation, teach them work ethic, safety, respect, and the love of vintage racing. A way to ensure that what Jim started, and what Mickey carried, continues for decades to come. It’s not just a program—it’s a promise: that SMVR’s future will be just as strong as its history.

Through every chapter—past, present, and future—one thing remains constant:

SMVR is about nostalgia, family, legacy, and love for the sport.

It’s about letting seasoned racers relive the magic.
It’s about showing fans what their dads and grandfathers raced.
It’s about community… the kind you can only find on red clay under stadium lights.

"This isn’t the end of anything.
This is the continuation of something extraordinary."

-Angela Ashworth, 2025 Legacy Recipient

SMVR is where history lives, where memories matter,
and where the future of vintage racing is being built—one lap at a time.

Thank you to all who follow and support the Series.

OUR DRIVERS

Legacy Member: Mickey Fleehart, Co-founder

In Memory

2/1/1951-3/3/2023

Car #7, Odessa, MO
Replica-1941 Ford Coupe, 355 Engine
Started Racing: 1969 (Street)

Mickey was born in 1951 in Beloit, Wisconsin. He began his racing journey with drag racing in the early 1970s and later joined an oval track pit crew from 1974 to 1978. Between 1979 and 1985, he competed at Rockford Speedway in both Late Models and 4-Cylinder Cars. In 2000, Mickey helped co-found the Show Me Vintage Racing (SMVR) club alongside Jim Cox.

Mickey shared 22 years with his wife, Christy Fleehart, who stood by his side through it all. Christy played a vital behind-the-scenes role in helping grow the SMVR Series, contributing her time and support to its continued success.

In addition to the vintage car featured above, Mickey also raced his B Modified starting in 2007. Vintage racing, however, remained closest to his heart. As he once said, “The racing’s great, but the friendships are even better!”

On March 3, 2023, the Lord called Mickey home. His kindness, leadership, and unwavering dedication to vintage racing will be remembered—and missed—by all who knew him.

Jim Cox

Car # 34,

Jim Cox, Co-Founder of the Show Me Vintage Racing (SMVR) series in 2001, has been a driving force behind the vintage racing movement long before the club officially began. Prior to SMVR’s formation, Jim raced his vintage cars against various classes, working hard to generate interest and encourage others to build and race vintage machines.

His dedication didn’t stop at promotion—Jim personally built the first nine vintage cars in SMVR, including the one driven by Mickey Fleehart for over 20 years.

We sincerely thank Jim for his vision, leadership, and hands-on contributions that helped shape SMVR into what it is today. Vintage car racing wouldn’t be where it is without him.

Damon Clevenger

Car #6 1939 Chevy Sedan

2025 Top Ten

2025 King of the Classics

Ken Brown

Car #5

Dan Schmidt, Technical Consultant

Car # 88 1941 Ford Coupe

with

Gary "the Jaws" Joslin,

co-Owner.

2025 Top Ten

Ken Snyder

Car #54S 1969 Ford Mustang

Jim Siewert

Car #99 1935 Ford Coupe

Vince Garrett

Car #4

Bob Werkmeister

Car #32W 1932 Ford Coupe

Brandon Jordan

Car #2D 1941 Ford Coupe

Andrew "Andy" Wiles

Car #51 1951 Studebaker (Pictured with Ed Neil's #3)

2024 King of the Classics

Beth Martin

Car #58 1955 Chevy Coupe

2026 Series Sponsor:

AAA Lawnmower Sales & Service with Husband, #63 John Martin

2025 Top Ten

Terry Price

Car #44 1937 Chevy Coupe

Allen Clark

Car #C2

Chad Eickleberry

Car #09D 1969 Chevy Chevelle

2024-25 Steering Board Member

2025 Presented By Sponsor, Eickleberry Concrete, with Wife, Cheryl Eickleberry.

2025 Points Champion

Ed Neil

Car #3 1957 Chevy BelAir

Brian Cox

Car #2B 1971 Pontiac Firebird

Rodney “Pup” Ashworth, Board Member

Car #74 1929 Model T "Dad's Car" with Crew Chief, James Drake

Car #1A 1939 Chevy Sedan

2024-25 Series Sponsor - Asphalt Sealcoating & Striping, LLC, with Wife, #1 Angela Ashworth

2026 Steering Board Member

Bryant Moyer

Car #31 1956 Ford Fairlane

2024 Co-points Champion

Jim Thorne, Board Member

Car #113 1935 Ford Coupe, with wife, Lisa Thorne

2025-26 Trophy Dash Sponsors:

Wildflower Holler Distillery, Owners

2025 Top Ten

SMVR's Series Accountants

Angela “Miss Kay” Ashworth

Car #1 1955 Chevy

2024-25 Series Sponsor - Asphalt Sealcoating & Striping, LLC, with Husband, #1A/#74 Rodney Ashworth

SMVR's Digital Media Promoter

2025 Legacy Recipient

2025 Top Ten

2026 Young Guns Fan Club Oversight

David Issacs

Car #66 1968 Camaro

John Martin, Board Member

Car #63 1937 Ford Coupe

2026 Series Sponsor:

AAA Lawnmower Sales & Service with Wife,

#58 Beth Martin.

2025-26 Steering Board Member

Jeffery Hansen

Car #75 1967 Ford Mustang - In progress

Tim Wies

Car#72 1974 Nova &

1942 Ford

2025 Top Ten

Bill Berens

Car #35 1934 Ford Coupe

Jeff Triggs

Car #58 1939 Chevy Sedan

Owen Evinger, Board Member

Car #18

2026 Steering Board Member

Don Marrant

Car #60 1970 Ford Mustang

Gary Proskocil

Car #8X 1939 Ford Coupe

Kevin Prall

Car #76 1967 Chevy Impala

Danny Lorton, Series Director

Car #27 1939 Chevy Coupe

Mike Lawless

Car #71 1946 Mercury Coupe

Rob Brash

Car #42 1968 Camaro

2025 Top Ten

Wife, Misty Carpenter-Brash, is SMVR‘s 2025 volunteer Videographer.

Mickie Cook

Car #14 1928 Pontiac Sedan

2024 Co-points Champion

2025 Top Ten

Contact us at (660) 223-3962

Call Danny Lorton at 913-708-0296 or Email us at Dannylorton@gmail.com

Please send digital media to: akashworth69@gmail.com

Show Me Vintage Racing Series

SMVR 2026 Leadership & Team

Series Director:

Danny Lorton (660) 223-3962

2026 Board Members:
Jim Thorne
Rodney Ashworth
John Martin

Owen Evinger

Digital Media Promotions & Young Guns (Volunteer): Angela Ashworth

Accounting & Financial Oversight (Volunteer):

Jim & Lisa Thorne

Videographer (Volunteer):

Misty Carpenter-Brash & many others

Tech & Staging Coordinator: Adam Whiffen

Technical Director Consult:

Dan Schmidt

Welcome

Show Me Vintage Racing Fans

SMVR Race Tracks for 2026 - IN PROGRESS!

2026 SMVR Presented by & Trophy Dash Sponsors- IN PROGRESS!

2026 Contingency Award Sponsors - IN PROGRESS!

About Us:

Photo Gallery

smvr at lucas oil speedway 4/10/2025

SMVR at Missouri state fair speedway- feature Race 8/21/2022

SMVR at I-70 Motorsports park - 5/14/2022

SMVR In car video at i-35 Speedway 10/8/2022

SMVR AT lucas oil speedwAY - 7/29/2023

OUR DRIVERS

Legacy Member: Mickey Fleehart, Co-founder

Jim Cox

Damon Clevenger

Ken Brown

Dan Schmidt, Technical Consultant

Ken Snyder

Jim Siewert

Vince Garrett

Bob Werkmeister

Brandon Jordan

Andrew "Andy" Wiles

Beth Martin

Terry Price

Allen Clark

Chad Eickleberry

Ed Neil

Brian Cox

Rodney “Pup” Ashworth, Board Member

Bryant Moyer

Jim Thorne, Board Member

Angela “Miss Kay” Ashworth

David Issacs

John Martin, Board Member

Jeffery Hansen

Tim Wies

Bill Berens

Jeff Triggs

Owen Evinger, Board Member

Don Marrant

Gary Proskocil

Kevin Prall

Danny Lorton, Series Director

Mike Lawless

Rob Brash

Mickie Cook

Stay connected

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Contact us at (660) 223-3962

Show Me Vintage Racing Series

SMVR 2026 Leadership & Team