By Al Stilley
Senior staff writer
 
Jack Dossey Jr. – this year’s inductee into the Indianapolis Speedrome Hall of Fame – stands out as the track’s most versatile champion. Dossey drove five uniquely different race cars to championships
and won a record six World Figure-8s, seven Speedrome late models.

the 1995 national figure-8, Speedrome Stock class, 1986 CORA national midget, USAC Modified Series and Spring Fling INEX Legends championships. He is a former USAC Regional Midget Series Rookie of the Year.

During a special ceremony at the Southeastside track the night before the Indianapolis 500, Dossey became the track’s 37th inductee,  joining the late Sonny Thompson, NASCAR star Darel Dieringer, five-
time World Figure-8 champion Kenny St. John and former car owner Ed Bishop among notables.

Dossey, who lives in Franklin Township, was joined by wife Jennifer, his father, Jack Dossey of Greenfield, brother John Dossey and son Jack Dossey III along with former car builder Ron Tomasik and mechanic Pete Harlow. The Dossey brothers own Hart’s Auto Parts on the Eastside. Third-generation figure-8 driver Chad Sizemore transformed his late model into a Dossey tribute car that the inductee drove on a ceremonial lap.“It was a night to remember,” the inductee said. “It was even more special to have all those friends there who helped me to be able to race and win. … In my mind I think I’m 25 years old, but I’m 55.

Dossey revolutionized the Speedrome’s signature race – the World Figure-8 three-hour endurance championship – by turning it into a sprint from start to finish. He holds World Figure-8 career records of six wins, nine poles, 2.051 laps led, and record-tying 11 top-five finishes.

“Over the years I learned to be patient in race cars, but the World Figure-8 was different,” said Dossey, who lost the 1991 race when his car was hit at the crossover while leading with just a few laps to go.
“I always tried to ride out the first half of the race and finish the back half strong; but it never worked, so I figured I might as well run it wide open.”
To win the World Figure-8 consistently, Dossey said you must stay highly focused for three hours, have a durable chassis and motor, a great crew, excellent pit stops and avoid any late-race incidents.

Dossey credited 20-year track owner and Greenwood business owner John Stiles for founding the world’s best-known figure-8 race, which has been featured in The New York Times.

Dossey explored advancing to stock car racing in the South and doing more national midget car races, but those opportunities never developed.
Learning from those experiences, the co-owner of Jack Dossey

Motorsports is providing a path for his 19-year-old son, who is competing in selected Sunoco ARCA national stock car and ARCA/CRA Jeg’s Super Series events.

The younger Dossey’s path has featured Faskarts, Bandoleros and INEX Legends Cars at the Speedrome, late models at Mount Lawn, two CRA Sportsman Series titles at Anderson Speedway and 2016 CRA Jeg’s All-Star Series Rookie of the Year and 2017 champion.

“We have a way to go, but we have come a long way from where we started,” he said. “My dad is helping me keep my head on straight and to stay positive when I’m racing.”

Dossey III has drawn raves from former NASCAR Truck Series
champion Mike Skinner and Southern short-track star Freddie Querry. “The kid has accomplished a lot that is very impressive; we’re looking for that big break,” Dossey Jr. said. “He works hard and has amazing talent, but we don’t have a lot of funding.”

The team’s family-minded crew chief is former American Speed Association champion Gary St. Amant of Columbus, Ohio.

The Dosseys are hoping for more nights to remember.