Kenny Brightbill
2001
Auto Racing
When the Reading Fairgrounds closed in June of 1980, Kenny Brightbill stood alone. No other driver in the storied history of the famed half-mile track accomplished more. In just nine years, since first arriving at the speedway (1970), Brightbill became the winningest driver in the history of the Reading Fairgrounds by winning 135 races. When he wasn’t in Victory Lane, he wasn’t far behind. He finished second 80 times, in the top five 308 times and the top ten 352 times. He also won more qualifying heats than anyone else in the track’s history with 128 wins. He established single-season records by winning seven consecutive weeks (1973), finishing in the top five 46 times (1974), winning 26 qualifying heat races (1978) as well as winning four track championships (1974, 1976-78). Brightbill’s success wasn’t only confined to the Fairgrounds. He has won races and championships all over the east coast, including wins at Nazareth National (1984) as well as a win at Syracuse (1988).