The History of Rich Gardner Racing in Photos
It all started in 1977 with this 1969 Plymouth Satellite in the Spectator Division at Eriez Speedway...
In 1978 Rich was in this Dodge Coronet and in the Cadet division.
1978 was the year that wins started happening, this was at Stateline in a heat. The feature wins would come later, but they did come.
A very youthful Rich Gardner with the most important man to ever be in his life, his Father, Charlie Gardner. This was after Rich won the "Best Appearing Car" award at the Millcreek Mall Car Show in 1980. Charlie passed away in 1989 just as Rich's career was starting to shine. Since then, every car has carried a sticker in memory of Charlie.
This is the first Late Model Rich had, a 1980 Dodge Aspen, shown here in the infield at Stateline Speedway at the start of the 1981 season.
This was Rich's first-ever win in a feature event. This most important of all wins came at McKean County Fair Raceway in Smethport, PA. The car is a Dodge Daytona with Mopar power, the year is 1985.
Here the year is 1987 and again Rich is in Victory Lane, here at Bradford Speedway, Bradford, PA.
Rich won races at McKean County in 1988 and was in the special Race of Champions at the end of the season. Left to right the group includes some very fast company, Larry Bigley, Mike Wonderling, Russ Prentiss, Miles Stitzinger, Mike Sweet, Bob Baldwin, Dave Lundgren, Rich Gardner, Al Brewer, and Todd Andrews. Although Rich did not win this race, it was a winning accomplishment just to be in the starting field.
After a win at McKean in 1988 with the race sponsor.
The first "big" win for Rich came in the "Teddy Marketing Late Model Shootout" at McKean in 1989.
By 1992, Gardner Racing was back home at Stateline and Eriez Speedways.
Here he is at speed at Raceway 7 in 1993.
In Victory Lane at Eriez in 1994.
In 1996, Budweiser was gone from the side, replaced by Miller and a new paint scheme.
Rich with the 1996 racer at his sponsor's place of business prior to the 1996 season. Rich is always available for promotions for sponsors, even appearing with the car at an Erie Seawolves home game in 1999.
1996 brought some wins for the new sponsor, here at Eriez.
And again at Stateline in 1996. For this Victory Lane photo, Rich was joined by his wife, Teri, and son, Kevin.
Rich often invites sponsors to the Victory Lane photo session. This is with Jay Pees, editor of Raceway Magazine, and associate sponsor since 1993.
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The year is 1998 and again Gardner Racing is in the prime spot of real estate at Stateline Speedway, Victory Lane. The 1998 car was the first having a Pontiac Grand Prix Body.
Prior to the 1999 Season, Rich spent a very cold April day at the Erie Hooter's for his sponsor. Yes, some of the thing he does for sponsors can be fun. The food available at Hooter's must be why Rich is grinning.
Official Starter Spanky Hall joins Rich in Victory Lane with his four checkered flags. Spanky sometimes uses all four flags to end a special event. This was special in that it was the final race of the 1900's at Stateline. Remember that fact for a future trivia contest! Rich Gardner not only won the final race at Stateline, he also won the final race of the 1900's at Eriez a week later.
Lifting a wheel coming out of turn two at Eriez in 2000.
The 2000 Season ended with Rich finally getting the Championship hardware at Eriez Speedway and also ending the season on top of the Stateline-Eriez Racing Series points list.
At the end of the 2000 series, history was made when Rich and longtime friend and sponsor Toby Jordan joined forces with Rich selling his equipment and driving for Toby with his potent #1 Tobber Racing Monte Carlos.
When Rich and Toby joined forces, this new rig was obtained for the team.
The car owner was not Rich for the first time in his career, and the sponsor was back to Budweiser, but the results were the same, another trip to Victory Lane in 2001. This time Kevin joins his Dad in Victory Lane. Gardner also went on to his second consecutive Eriez Speedway Points Championship.
Rich in Victory Lane at Stateline in 2002.
Rich in Victory Lane with son, Kevin. This was the Special Edition 25th Anniversary Orange Car (2004).
Rich at Eriez Speedway celebrating his record-breaking fifth points championship in a row in 2004.
(Bobby Schnars had held the record of four in a row for over 20 years.)
The crew busy at work preparing the tires for the next race.
Toby making last minute adjustments.
Rich strapping in to go do battle (2005).
Kevin scraping mud off the car after the heat race run.
There's always something to do in the pits.
Rich in Victory Lane at Raceway 7 after winning the 3rd annual Fall Classic (2005).
Rich in action at Challenger Raceway during the 2006 Fallfest.
Rich came from 20th starting position to finish a very respectable 8th place.