The late Fred Dillow began his racing career in 1968 at Champion Speedway in Kitts Hill, OH. The first car he built was actually for his brother, Ken Dillow, of Flatwoods, KY. Fred was recuperating from a back injury and his doctor told him to get into something to do with his hands. Fred ended up behind the steering wheel. He competed at Southern Ohio Raceway in Portsmouth, OH, Checkered Flag Raceway in Ashland, KY, K-C Raceway, in Alma, OH, Eldora Speedway, in Rossburg, OH, as well as many other tracks in OH, KY, WV and PA. Dillow drove the #83 until 1987. At that time he began driving the Dillow-Willis Racing #84 and followed the All-Star Circuit of Champions. In the early 70's, Fred's wife Edna won several awards in Powder Puff races where she competed against the wives of other drivers. She is known as the "Powder Puff Queen" because she was undefeated throughout her career. Fred's daughter, Sherri, also got behind the wheel in the early 80's for a few races. Fred's youngest daughter, Susan, was responsible for lettering the race car and videotaping races. Steve, Fred's son, and son-in-law Mike Willis were the Pit Crew members that kept the car going from week to week.
In July 1987, Fred was involved in a tangle with Larry Moore at Skyline Speedway and the impact dislocated his left shoulder. He didn't know it until he pulled in the pits and tried to raise himself out of the car. The movement caused his shoulder to pop back into place and he raced the next night at Muskingum County Speedway, where he won the B-Main and finished 10th in the feature.
The following quote was taken from an article written about Fred Dillow that was published in the Ironton Tribune 09/20/87: "I love it," he said. "Nobody makes me do it. I may not win every race, but I play fair and square. I don't believe in bumping into other cars and causing wrecks." That was the type of driver Fred was and he just loved going out on that track every Friday and/or Saturday night and giving it his best.
Fred was the third oldest of sixteen children of Delbert and the late Katherine Dillow of Flatwoods, KY. His brothers Ken and Carl Sr. and nephews Tim and Carl, Jr. are currently racing at local tracks in the tri-state area.
He is survived by his wife Edna, who is retired from the State of Ohio, daughter Sherri Willis, who is a school teacher, son-in-law Mike Willis, who own Off-the-Wall Graphics and Motorsports, and grandson Shayne Willis, who is a freshman playing football at Otterbein College, daughter Susan Dillow, who works for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, son Steve, who is in management with Wal-Mart Stores, daughter-in-law, Michelle, who is a school teacher and coach, grandson, Brayden, who is 5 years old and granddaughter, Addison, who is 4 years old.
For those of you who have not attended a Fred Dillow Memorial race, it is a very emotional night where friends, family, and drivers come together to remember an exceptional man. If you get the opportunity to attend, you'll be in store for a great night of racing.
