Bob East
Bob East, of Brownsburg, Ind., virtually “owned” USAC’s open-wheel racing scene for a couple of decades, his Beast masterpieces capturing victories across the board in the Silver Crown, Sprint Car and Midget series. Among his 18 Silver Crown wins were 16 as a co-owner with Tony Stewart. His Silver Crown cars have won more than five times as many races as the second-ranking owner. Under his leadership the Nine Racing Team earned a dozen USAC National Midget Championships and more than 150 victories. In addition to his four Silver Crown titles, his cars also won titles with Ryan Newman, Mike Bliss, Jason Leffler and Bobby East, his son. In 1988, he opened Beast Enterprises, producing one of the most accomplished chassis ever. A driver in CRA and USAC Sprint competition, he scored three wins in the extremely competitive USAC National Sprint Car Series, winning at Ascot Park in California in 1976 and 1978 and at Manzanita Park in Phoenix, Ariz. in 1985.