PERRIS AUTO SPEEDWAY MOURNS THE PASSING OF JERRY DODD By Scott Daloisio (Perris, CA, May 15, 2022) Perris Auto Speedway drivers, fans, and officials are saddened by the passing of Jerry Dodd. A longtime driver, car owner, and friend to everyone, the legendary racing figure passed away on Sunday. Jerry Dodd and his son Luke pose with one of the famous #98 stock cars. A native of Davenport, Iowa, Dodd, and his family have been a part of The PAS since the day the track opened in 1996. A regular and a champion in his days of racing at the Corona Raceway and Ascot Park, Dodd’s first association at Perris came with him driving his famous red #98 stock car. He then served as a car owner who helped launch the careers of future NASCAR driver David Gilliland and So Cal short track legend Linny White among others. When Gilliland’s son Todd, who now races full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, made a cameo appearance at The PAS a few years ago, Dodd owned the car he drove. All told between the Super Stock and Street Stock classes at The PAS, Dodd family cars have won an amazing 14 championships. Included in those are five for his son Luke, who is now head tech inspector at the track, and one for Jerry’s brother Jack. In addition to the family-owned cars, two cars Jerry previously owned are still competing and winning at The PAS today. Moreno Valley’s Doug Kelly and his son Brandon still sport the familiar Dodd red and white paint schemes on the cars they purchased from Dodd a few years ago. Brandon won the Street Stock championship in 2021 and last season he won the combined PASSCAR Street Stock/IMCA Stock Car championship in his Dodd car. “When you think of the Dodd name over the last half century of dirt track racing in Southern California, you are talking about racing royalty,” promoter Don Kazarian said. “That would make Jerry the king. He was a wonderful man and the outpouring of emotion on the Internet since word spread of his passing is truly amazing.” “He has been around The PAS since day one,” Kazarian remembered. “You cannot measure the contributions he has made to our racing. He was not only a driver and car owner, but he was an advisor to drivers and other car owners on what to do in the pits or on the track. He would walk up to a new driver, especially the kids, and strike up a conversation. Before you knew it, he was offering some advice in a subtle way. The next race, those drivers would be walking up to him with a bunch of questions. They were sponges soaking up his wisdom.” “Since we began with our stock car program back in 1996, Jerry was a constant in the pits with a kind word and a laugh,” Kazarian continued. “I am not sure how many times he was not at one of our stock car shows over the years, but I would be shocked if you could not add all of them up using both hands. One thing I do know for sure is that he will be sorely missed by everyone at Perris Auto Speedway. I have never heard anyone utter a bad word about him. He will be a part of Perris Auto Speedway forever.” One of the young drivers he helped was Alyssa Smith. Starting off in Factory Stocks, she progressed to Street Stocks and is now a top competitor in IMCA Modifieds. His advice to her was always valuable and well-appreciated. Countless others, whether they be a young newcomer or a seasoned veteran, received and benefited from his racing wisdom and his encouragement. “Jerry was a true legend,” Smith stated on Monday afternoon via text. “He was full of encouragement, and rooted for me from the day I started racing at Perris. He always made me feel that I was capable of beating anyone on the racetrack, even when I raced against his own son. Hearing advice and encouragement from a well-respected and known man like Jerry means more to a driver than anything.” Dodd was a “lifer” in the sport. A lot of people do not know this because he was not a braggart and did not toot his own horn, but when he was growing up, Mel Kenyon, one of the all-time midget racing greats and who raced in the Indianapolis 500 eight times with a third-place finish in 1968, drove for Dodd’s father early in his career. Everyone at Perris Auto Speedway sends prayers and condolences to Pam, Jerry’s wife of 63 years, his entire family, and his legion of friends. Perris Auto Speedway is conveniently located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds (home of the Southern California Fair), one-hour east of Los Angeles and one-hour North of San Diego. To get to the track, take the 215 freeway, exit on the Ramona Expressway, and go three miles east to the fairgrounds. For directions online, the address to enter is: 18700 Lake Perris Drive and the zip code is 92571. Fans can stay up to date on track and driver news on The PAS social media efforts at the links below. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Perris-Auto-Speedway/113876798686480?ref=hl  Twitter: Perris Auto Speedway on Twitter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perrisautospeedway/  Website: http://perrisautospeedway.com/  Perris Auto Speedway wants to thank the following corporate partners. Ahern Equipment Rentals, Anderson Chevrolet, Battery Systems, Bud’s Tire, Tire Choice Auto Service, Chris’ Hauling, City of Perris, Communication Innovations, Daytona Boat & RV Storage, Ed Moore Bullet Proof Driveshaft, Flowdynamics, HD Industries, Heimark/Anheuser Busch, Hoosier Tires, Inland Rigging, Living Water’s Hospice, LKQ Pick Your Part, Luke’s Transmission, Moose Racing, Pepsi-Cola, Performance Online, Pole Position Raceway, PrintItNow.com, Rainbow Bolt & Supply, Rene’s Bar & Grill, Rugged Radios, Shaver Specialties, Square H, Sunoco Race Fuels, Trench Shoring, Upland Rock, Varner Construction and Vista Paint. DVDs of all the PASSCAR/IMCA racing and Nights of Destruction at The PAS are available from Fourvideos. For more information call (714) 225-9500. mailto:perrisautospeedway1@gmail.com is the only authorized Internet address to issue official media news released from The Perris Auto Speedway or Oval Entertainment. PERRIS AUTO SPEEDWAY 2023 SCHEDULE May 20th LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION III - Demo Cross, Figure 8's, Mini Stock Figure 8’s, Mini Stocks And Insane Double Deckers Plus “Power Of Purple Night” Benefiting The American Cancer Society Relay For Life Riverside County East May 27th Heimark Distributors/Anheuser Busch Presents the “SALUTE TO INDY" AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PAS Senior/Young Guns Sprint Cars, Southwest Lightning Sprints And PASSCAR Street Stocks Plus “Power Of Purple Night” Benefiting The American Cancer Society Relay For Life Riverside County East June 3rd LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION IV - Demo Cross, Figure 8's, Mini Stock Figure 8’s, Mini Stocks And Insane Double Deckers June 10th Heimark Distributors/Anheuser Busch Presents the “BUBBY JONES / RAY SHEETZ MEMORIAL” AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS (40 Lap Main Event) And PAS Senior/Young Guns Sprint Cars Plus “Power Of Purple Night” Benefiting The American Cancer Society Relay For Life Riverside County East June 17th PASSCAR - Super Stocks, Street Stocks, American Factory Stocks, IMCA Modifieds And IMCA Sport Compacts July 1st LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION V - Demo Cross, Figure 8's, Mini Stock Figure 8’s, Mini Stocks And Insane Double Deckers Plus “Power Of Purple Night” Benefiting The American Cancer Society Relay For Life Riverside County East July 15th Heimark Distributors/Anheuser Busch Presents the AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PAS SENIOR/YOUNG GUNS Sprint Cars And PASSCAR Factory Stocks Plus “Power Of Purple Night” Benefiting The American Cancer Society Relay For Life Riverside County East July 22nd PASSCAR - Super Stocks, Street Stocks, American Factory Stocks, IMCA Modifieds And IMCA Sport Compacts August 5th LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION VI - Demo Cross, Figure 8's, Mini Stock Figure 8’s, Mini Stocks And Insane Double Deckers August 12TH PASSCAR - Super Stocks, Street Stocks, American Factory Stocks, IMCA Modifieds And IMCA Sport Compacts August 19th Heimark Distributors/Anheuser Busch Presents the AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PAS Senior/Young Guns Sprint Cars, Southwest Lightning Sprints And WRA Vintage Cars On Display Plus “Power Of Purple Night” Benefiting The American Cancer Society Relay For Life Riverside County East September 16TH LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION VII - DEMO CROSS, FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCK FIGURE 8’S, MINI STOCKS AND INSANE DOUBLE DECKERS September 23rd Heimark Distributors/Anheuser Busch Presents the "GLENN HOWARD CLASSIC" AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS PAS Senior/Young Guns Sprint Cars, PASSCAR Super Stocks September 30th PASSCAR - Super Stocks, Street Stocks, American Factory Stocks, IMCA Modifieds And IMCA Sport Compacts October 21st LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION VIII - Demo Cross, Figure 8's, Mini Stock Figure 8’s, Mini Stocks And Insane Double Deckers October 28th PASSCAR - Super Stocks, Street Stocks, American Factory Stocks, PAS Modifieds And IMCA Sport Compacts November 11th Heimark Distributors/Anheuser Busch Presents the AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS (40 LAPS), PAS Senior/Young Guns Sprint Cars And Southwest Lightning Sprint Cars THIS SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.