past present future

A Passion for Racing, Talent, and the Frantz Family

By Gene Ostrowski
March 07, 2005

When most Mountain Speedway fans hear the name Frantz, they immediately think of Paul, driver of the #10 Street Stock and the '01 and '02 Factory Stock champ. Racing has planted its roots in the Frantz family, and those roots lead back to the Mountain modified king, Russ Frantz.

It all goes back to a 24 year old with the dream to drive and the urge for competition. Young Russ Frantz did not realize that a short track-racing dynasty was in the works.

1988 First Evergreen Win

1987 Dirt Modified

1991 Fred Brink Midget

1984 Champion Dorney Park

Russ's first season was in 1978 at Dorney Park Speedway piloting a '55 Chevy in the late model division. His first career win was June 14, 1980 while driving for car owners Tom (Sneeze) and Linda Snyder. It wouldn't be until 1984 where Russ would find himself atop the late model standings at season's end. Along with the championship, he was also named 'Most Popular Driver'. During his seven-year Late Model stretch at Dorney ('78-'85), Frantz earned 21 feature wins (most all-time at Dorney).

In 1986 Frantz took the reigns of a dirt modified at the legendary Grandview and Big Diamond Speedways. His best feature finish between '86 and '88 was second.

In October of '88, Russ and team partner, Mark Shoemaker purchased a "bare bones" Troyer small block modified from NASCAR Whelen Modified Series ace, Tony Hirschman. When Tony asked Russ what his plans for the car were, Russ said "I'm planning on racing it at Evergreen (Mountain Speedway) next week." Knowing that the task was nearly impossible because there was so much work that had to be done to the car, Tony just laughed and said "You're really gonna race this week? I gotta see this." The following weekend was exciting. Russ not only completed the car as promised, but he finished 5th in the feature after starting back in 16th. With two weeks remaining that season, Russ went on to his first asphalt modified feature win the following week, and finished 2nd the last week of the '88 season. The fans were witnessing history in the making.

It was a banner year for Frantz in 1989. During an open competition show that season, he was involved in a multi-car incident when another driver blacked out. The two tangled, and when the dust settled, the only part still attached to Frantz's mount was the right rear wheel! The crew went to work, and one week later Frantz went on to win the feature. With consistent finishes and five feature wins, Frantz was crowned the season's modified champion at Evergreen Raceway.

>From '90-'92 Frantz continued to compete at Evergreen Raceway and many other venues. Russ's mother, Betty, was a huge supporter, taking care of the hard-working crew continuously, as they worked in the garage. Russ's son, Paul was a big help and influence on him, along with his daughter Heather, who is also a big fan of her father's. In '90 and '91, Russ was ecstatic when he won the annual American Cancer Society Race. At the time his mother was battling cancer, which made the win that much more special. At the end of the 1990 season, Wilson Winter asked Russ to drive his cars. He accepted the offer immediately. During the '91 season Russ smashed every track record imaginable, including 9 feature wins (since broken by B. Defebo in 2003), 5 feature wins in a row, 9 straight top 5 finishes, most points in a single season and most heat wins in a season (10). All but one of those records remains untouched. The ultimate highlight of the season was winning the championship crown.

Russ and the team took to the road in 1993 with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Series. With a limited budget and facing the best competition in asphalt modified racing, Russ managed a season best finish of 17th place. That particular season was about gaining more experience, which Russ did, racing at tracks such as Richmond, New Hampshire, Stafford, Martinsville, Nazareth and Riverhead.

For the Frantz family, 1994 brings back some bad memories. At Nazareth Raceway, In Russ's first start of the season, he finished 17th. The finish was good, but the last lap was unforgettable. While coming out of the fourth turn at 130-140 mph, Frantz spotted the spun modified of Tim Arre. When Russ hit the brakes, the left front caliper broke on his car, causing him to spin into Arre. The impact was so severe that Frantz broke all the ribs on his right side, collapsed a lung, broke his right knee, bruised his shoulder and liver, and the crash also enlarged his heart. Both Frantz and Arre were airlifted to the Lehigh Valley Hospital. Frantz spent a week in the hospital, and an additional 13 weeks recovering at home. Plenty of rehabilitation and prayers brought Russ through the rest of the '94 season.

Like many wives of racers, Russ's wife Diane supporting his desire to compete, even if she didn't always think it was best. After the events that took place the season before, Diane continued to accompany him to the racetrack. In '95, Russ made his 'comeback'. This particular season, Frantz took to the late model ranks at Flemington Speedway. A consistent threat to win again, Frantz finally did so on the night of the first Flemington NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race, August 19th. One year after his horrific accident, Russ Frantz was once again victorious. He competed in the late model division at Flemington through the '96 season.

Frantz returned to Evergreen Raceway in 1997 with a Raceworks modified. Russ continued driving the mount, winning at a number of tracks throughout the rest of the 90's. Up till 2000, Russ had already competed at Dorney Park, Evergreen Raceway, Mahoning Valley Speedway, Grandview, Big Diamond, Oswego, Tioga, Clearfield, Flemington, New Smyrna and Volusia Speedway. Not to mention the NASCAR Modified Tour tracks. On a number of occasions, Frantz even piloted ARDC and TQ midgets with success.

When the millennium rolled around, Frantz was freshening the car for a complete season at Mountain Speedway (formerly Evergreen Raceway). That season, the team went on to grab yet another title, which was Frantz's fourth championship of his career. They also captured the season-ending 'King of the Mountain' event.

In '01 Russ began driving for renown car owner, Adam Horwith. That season the team nailed down a couple of wins. The following season, Russ's son, Paul made his debut racing in the factory stock division. The same night of Paul's first career win Russ also won the modified feature.

Even left without a ride after '02, Russ was grateful for all the owners, sponsors and fans that supported him over the years. His last race to date was a factory stock event in '03. It was the first time he and Paul raced together. Paul was very proud to have raced against his father, and to this date will still tell folks that he once raced against his hero.

Frantz is a much different person than your regular fierce competitor on the track. When Brian Defebo broke Frantz's single season feature win (9) record in '03, Frantz was in victory lane to congratulate him. He has always helped out fellow drivers with suggestions and tips, being more of a friend than foe. Russ enjoys camping and spending time with his family. He thanks God, family, fans and friends for his success throughout his entire career.

Racing is not yet out of Russ's blood. Although Frantz had mentioned that he is interested in getting a possible ride sometime, he would only like to run part-time in order to spend more time with his family. Judging from his past racing career, with 58 wins and 4 championships, a chance to race again might be right around the corner. Will we see Russ behind the wheel again at Mountain Speedway? Only time will tell.

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