New Inductee to Elko Speedway H.O.F

By Jason D Searcy

Former racer and track owner Bill Oas will be inducted into the Elko Speedway Hall of Fame on July 20th, 2013.

Bill started racing at Elko Speedway in 1968 in the Sportsmen division, he then raced Late Models from 1970-1976.  A big victory came on Aug 15 1972 when he won a 100 lap event at Elko Speedway, Dick Trickle finished 7th in that race.  He also held the track record for many years with a time of 15.29 seconds, a record later broken by Mark Martin.

Bill then became of owner of the track along with Gary Vinge in 1976.  Vinge then transferred his part of the ownership to John Ostdiek the next year.  Bill also became the promoter of Elko Speedway in 1977, he had the track repaved in the fall of that year increasing speeds dramaticly.

"I was known as a racer turned promoter," said Oas "my main emphasis was to run very competitive races, I never took advantage of the driver to make the race track work."

Oas raced five nights per week in the mid 1970's and was well respected by many of the top regional racers of the time.  Those drivers paid him back by coming to race at Elko Speedway, "I brought in a lot of the Wisconsin drivers for the big shows," said Oas "I paid good money and my main objective was to put on a good show."

Oas also originated a new division to Elko Speedway in 1980.  "We needed more participants in the motor pits at that time so, I created the Bombers as a simpler version of the Hobby Stocks of the day," said Oas.

Bill Oas then sold his share of Elko Speedway to John Ostiek in 1981 and resumed his racing career in 1982.  Elko raced a Limited Late Model at that time so Oas raced up to six night per week in Wisconsin winning numerous races and setting fast times against some of the toughest competition in the Nation.  He also raced at Elko Speedway during special events.

The final year of racing for Bill was in 1990 when Jim Sauter's son Jay drove Bill Oas car.

Bill has had a very close relationship with Jarry Royle who was his crew chief and head mechanic for many years.  Jarry is the father of current Elko Super Late Model racer Adam Royle.  Oas admires the driving style displayed by Adam "he is a good shoe," said Oas.

Adam Royle grew up idolizing Oas and said watching Bill race was a great inspiration in his racing career, "he is a great choice for the Hall of Fame," said Royle.

Bill Oas will be inducted into the 2013 Elko Hall of Fame during the Whelen All American series race night at Elko Speedway on Saturday July 20th.  Get more information by calling (952) 461-7223 or at www.elkospeedway.com

*The contributed photo from the Oas family collection is a 1972 Chevy convertible that Bill raced.  This car had a 427 engine, dropped front spindles, and a shallow depth oil pan which allowed for a very low center of gravity, and fast speeds.