USAC SPRINT WINNING CAR OWNER LARRY BAYLESS PASSES
By: Richie Murray – USAC Media
Speedway, Indiana (March 4, 2019)………Larry Bayless, who captured a USAC National Sprint Car victory as a car owner for legendary driver Bob Kinser during the 1985 season, passed away February 22. He was 79 years old.
Bayless, of Brownsburg, Ind., earned that victory on August 23, 1985, at Bloomington (Ind.) Speedway with Kinser, a 1999 National Sprint Car Hall of Fame inductee. In a hard-fought battle, Kinser swapped the lead with that year’s champion driver Rick Hood as well as Jack Hewitt in a classic 40-lap race that saw six lead changes.
Kinser took the lead from Hood on the second lap before leading the next nine. Hewitt got to the point on lap 11 before Kinser jumped back to the front for the 12th and 13th circuits. Hewitt took charge for a moment on lap 14 before Hood surged to the top spot on the 15th go-around. Hood would lead until the white flag lap when Kinser ripped the lead back into his possession for good coming to the white flag and, ultimately, prevailing for what would, amazingly, be Kinser’s one and only career USAC Sprint Car victory.
The No. 17B was a familiar sight on the USAC trail and on the local Indiana sprint car scene, picking up numerous victories and championships in the Hoosier state. Larry Bayless appeared on USAC’s entrant points on three occasions, finishing 11th in 1985, 12th in 1986 and 32nd in 1987.
The Bayless name would continue with son, David Bayless, in 1997, where they finished fourth with driver Derek Davidson in the final USAC National Sprint Car standings.
USAC extends its deepest condolences to Larry’s family and friends.