Bill Bader
Bill started his racing career in 1962 at the wheel of a Supermodified car on the local oval track circuit, winning the 1970 championship at the nearby speedway. During the years Bill has been involved in racing, he has been a competitor, a team owner and a sponsor before turning his talen toward becoming a track owner. His driving career lasted until 1970, when he chose to move from competing on the racing side of the sport to competing as a racetrack operator, which at times proved more difficult than competing on the track.
In 1971 Bill took over the operation of Sandusky Speedway in Sandusky, Ohio. The 1⁄2 mile asphalt oval was dormant in ’68, ’69 and ’70, but flourished under Bill’s direction from 1971 through 1977 inclusive. During that time Bill was offered the opportunity to purchase Norwalk Raceway Park from it then-owner, Vince Shubert. Strange as it may seem, up until he purchased NRP, Bill had never attended a drag race. However, his experience in promoting in the oval track arena gave him the insight as to what was required to promote any racing event successfully. Give the fans a show!
Over the years Bill instituted a great number of “firsts” on the promotion side of racing, but three of the most recognized events today that were born at NRP are the Halloween Classic, the Night Under Fire, and the IHRA World Nationals. Unfortunately for IHRA fans, NRP has now signed a long-term contract to become an NHRA sanctioned track, but overall the race fans are the winners because they will exposed to even more great competition.
In 1998 Bill purchased IHRA and set out to make it into a racer-friendly establishment that would provide the best shows possible for its fans. Under Bill’s ownership, the number of IHRA sanctioned tracks nearly tripled and the level of competition in all classes was raised. 1999 Car Craft Magazine recognized Bill as part of its All Star team and name him “Person of the Year.” Recognizing that the magic ingredient necessary funds for IHRA to continue to grow was working capital and attempting to continue setting aside the necessary funds from its weekly shows, Bill sold a majority ownership stake in the Association to Clear Channel. Under this new arrangement, IHRA continued to grow, but the long h ours and extensive demands eventually took their toll on Bill. In November of 2004, Bill resigned his position as president of IHRA. Bill continued to help other track promoters understand “customers” and “customer service”, but mostly spent time with his family. When Bill purchased IHRA in 1998 he turned the management of Norwalk Raceway over to his son, Bill Bader Jr., but Bill Senior is currently assisting as project manager on the huge expansion currently underway at the track.
From staging his now famous Night of Fire to bringing in every “name” racer to compete at NRP to staging some of the greatest Hot Rod car shows ever, Bill Bader has been a leader in how to successfully operate a racetrack and association for the benefit of all involved.