RPW Column: Bill Boyle…Dr. Dirt; An Orange County Fair Speedway Legend

RPW Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – WAYNE, NJ – When you go to your local short track, there are people there who over time become legends.

The list of these legends would consist mostly of drivers with some car owners and other on track related people mixed in. Sometimes, other people become legends for a multiple of different reasons.

The Orange County Fair Speedway has one such person that fits into that category. And he is the one and only Dr. Dirt, Bill Boyle.

Doc started coming to OCFS in the early 60’s. He would most often take the ride up with his friend Hank Nagelhout, a columnist with Area Auto Racing News. At some point, Hank encouraged Doc to give a try at writing.

Doc was reluctant at first, but under Hank’s guidance. he quickly became a very talented and valued writer to the publications that he wrote for. If you go into the program and racing papers archives, you will see that Doc’s columns were such a great mix of both information and humor. You can easily tell that he truly cared for the people who he wrote about. It was just great writing by a very down-to-earth person. It wasn’t long into his writing career that he picked up the name that most people know him by, Doctor Dirt.

Dr. Dirt became a beloved legend among all the classes of racers at OCFS, whether or not it was the divisions he was covering. He formed so many great friendships among drivers, pit crews, owners and just about anyone he would meet. It would be impossible to find a person that would have a negative thing to say about him. He’s just that kind of person.

“I first met Doc close to 30 years ago,” said Craig Mitchell, driver of the Big Block and Small Block 93X at OCFS. “But I really got to know him when I was helping Barbara and Neil Luce. Doc would often come and hang out with us in the Luce’s shop while we worked on the cars. Doc always had a heart of gold and would do anything for anybody.”

“He used to organize a car show at his church during the church’s fair,” Craig said. “He would ask all of the local racers that he knew to bring their cars to the fair for the kids to see. It was always a great turnout of drivers as everybody was such great friends with Doc.”

“Both Barbara and Neil carried the name ‘Dr. Dirt’ on their cars,” Craig said. “When both Barbara and later Neil passed away, Doc wrote unbelievable pieces about them. Doc always wrote from the heart with a little sarcasm thrown in.”

“When I first started to race, Doc would buy me a tire here and there when he could,” Craig said. “It was greatly appreciated as the funds were tight and I didn’t have the sponsors like I have today. And I too carry the name ‘Dr. Dirt’ on my car.”

“For years, every week Doc would have a drink with my mom and give my nephew a dollar coin,” Craig said. “When I first started dating my wife, Doc told me to make sure she stopped into the 31st Lap to introduce herself (I was in the pits and she went into the stands). She was a little confused why this stranger wanted to buy her a drink, but she found out quickly what a great guy Doc was. Every week after that, Jasmine would stop and shoot the bull with Doc. He is really an indescribable person. All I know is that he has a heart of gold and I love him to death.”

“Doc is one of the nicest and most genuine human beings that will ever walk this planet,” said former Sportsman racer Carol Birchwale. “When I think about Doc, a smile comes across my face. The anticipation of the weekly Dr. Dirt column was as great as the anticipation of getting into the race car. I first met Doc in 1988 and even to this day, we share lighthearted banter and some good natured teasing through Facebook. I can’t remember Doc ever speaking ill about anyone and you won’t find a kinder and more caring individual.”

“What we did was easy compared to what Doc would do each week, I found that out,” Carol said. “One time, myself along with two others also named Carol, filled in for Doc. He even wrote a column about our column which was titled, ‘Doc Goes a Caroling’. We all had a laugh about the 3 Carols writing experience.”

“And Doc’s columns weren’t all just about the results on the track,” Carol said. “He would write about the moms and dads, family members, friends and fans. He shared our triumphs and great times along with our defeats and tragedies. He could make you cry and belly laugh both in the same column. He would deliver his columns with style, class and respect and all of us racers respected his work every week,”

“The carnival at Doc’s church brings back so many great memories,” Carol said. “Along with my #90, there would be the Majka’s, the Miserendino’s with the 92 car of Ralph Heotzler, my brother Steve Birchwale, Neil Luce, Billy Eggers, Scott Kehr, Johan Hogne and a dozen more. We would sign autographs for all the kids and adults who came out. And we mostly would just hang out and shared stories and laughs. We laughed a lot. I always looked forward to that day each year. It was just one more of the many giving and kind things that Doc would be part of.”

“When Dr. Dirt first started walking around the pits, nobody knew him.” said Emerson Cargain Sr, the recently retired OCFS Street Stock racer. “He started writing some great articles about the full fender divisions and he quickly became our friend. He showed through his words our side of what was going on in our divisions at OCFS.”

“He drove our car one time in the Rookie Division,” Emerson said. “The smile he had after that race was worth millions. He was able to write about the passion that we had for the sport because he had experienced it himself.”

“Bill Boyle, what a legend he is,” said Suzanne Shortway-DeAugustines, daughter of long time Street Stock and Limited Sportsman driver Harry Shortway Jr. “We all have our favorite drivers and race teams, but Bill is a true winner to us.”

“Bill took my husband Gene and I under his wing and showed us a whole other side of racing at OCFS,” Suzanne said. “We were always honored to be with him watching a race or talking to him at the 31st lap. Bill is a keeper, a friend to cherish and a very wise man full of knowledge and wisdom. Dr. Dirt in our opinion is a true champion.”

The impact that Dr. Dirt has made on my own family is truly remarkable.

As I would usually watch the races from the pits, I didn’t really get to know Doc until about 12 years ago. He was very good friends with my brother, but I never made it over to the grandstand side of the fence too often. When I started bringing my special needs son Matthew to the races, Doc took an instant liking to him and to my other son Jason.

As Doc got to know us better and learned of the difficult family dynamics that were happening in our special needs home, he made a place in his heart for us. He bestowed so many gifts to my sons. Doc had collected many different racing and sports items over the years and he would just freely give many of these items to the boys. It wasn’t just once or twice that this happened. He was extremely generous with his gift giving. Jason has a whole wall full of 1/64 NASCAR race cars that Doc gave to him. His generosity to my sons has been beyond description.

I have also been the recipient of so much kindness from Doc. There was a very difficult period for the boys and I several years ago. It can be very difficult to make ends meet in a special needs home. For a few years, Doc, along with then OCFS General Manager Ken Sands and OCFS owner Michael Gurda, arranged for a season’s pass for me during a time frame when it was all I could do to put food on the table. I will always be grateful to those three men for their kindness during our struggles. I could have easily drifted away from the sport during the rough times, but their combined efforts enabled me to attend every single OCFS event during our lean years.

One night, I pulled into OCFS and I was running a little late as usual. I figured I would have to park a good distance from the entrance. But I saw a spot, right across from the entrance, so I pulled in and I saw a sign that said, ‘Reserved For Mike Traverse’. Doc had purchased a reserved parking spot for us so it would be easier to get Matt’s wheelchair into the grandstand area. It was another thoughtful and kind thing for him to do.

For years, Doc would send me money so I could take the boys out to eat on their birthdays. Eating out was never in our budget then, so it was a real treat for the boys and I to have a meal out courtesy of the fabulous Dr. Dirt. But besides us, there are many more people who he has shared his kindness with.

“Dr. Dirt is one of those people that leaves a mark on your heart and a smile on your face,” said Nicole Inzeo Rose, daughter of famed car owner Lou Inzeo. “It’s an honor and a blessing to be his friend.”

“He has been so kind to my son Adam and I over the years, while never expecting anything in return,” Nicole said. “My boy has a one of a kind OCFS hat given to him by Doc at Nostalgia Night many years ago. When my father celebrated his 80th birthday last year, Doc had an amazing collage of photos put together of his race car memories.”

“And when I got into the winner’s circle with my favorite driver, Brett Hearn, Doc once again had a collage made for me,” Nicole said. “Doc has a heart of gold. It’s just who he is and we adore him. In fact, we are fortunate to have plenty of his infamous $2 bills and gold coins. Legend says that Doc only gives the $2 bills to certain people. He’s a great guy and a straight shooter. Good people like him are hard to find as he is a true gem.”

Yes, you read that correctly. Doc comes to a racetrack and hands out money. He quite often walked up to me and handed me dollar coins for the boys. If you are among his inner circle of friends, you can bet that at some point you will eventually end up with a dollar coin or an autographed $2 bill. These gifts from Doc are such a treasured thing to have.

Today, Doc is celebrating his birthday. I wish that things were better in his part of the world so that he could go out and celebrate with a nice dinner. But I’m hoping that somehow, he can get some enjoyment out of this day.

Doc doesn’t make it to the track too often these days. But his friends will always be looking forward to the day when we see the guy in the cowboy hat coming through the gate. There will always be a seat ready for you at the 31st Lap Doc. And maybe you will get one of those 47 beers that I have owed to you for the longest time.

So on behalf of Race Pro Weekly, my sons and myself, folks like Craig, Carol, Emerson, Suzanne, Nicole and all of your friends and fans, we shout out a very Happy Birthday to you, Dr. Dirt, a most special person. And thank you Doc for all of your generosity, joy and friendship that you have spread to the people all across the Orange County Fair Speedway throughout the years. It would take me a number of lifetimes to repay all the kindness that you have shown to my sons and I. But I realized long ago that you give because of the great big overflowing with kindness heart that you have.