DTGW

Kenneth Bowers

Written By: Robin Green

Kenneth “Wildman” Bowers has been a huge crowd favorite at TR Speedway as well as all over South Carolina. You can hear the roar of the fans long before you even fell that hum of the engine, signaling his arrival on the dirt track. His remarkable skills in the drivers seat has made his name recognizable through out southern dirt tracks all over the south.

Mr. Bowers began his racing career at the age of 18 behind the handle bars of a motor cycle following in his cousin Wade Slater’s footsteps. Mr. Bowers said, “He has been a hero of mine for some time. Someone that I have looked up to and wanted to be like.” Mr. Bowers has been in more bone braking crashes while racing motor cycles versus the race car, yet continues to make room for them in his life. “Motorcycles are still a huge part of my life, and to this day I enjoy riding my Harley as often as possible.” said Kenneth.

He began racing cars at Riverside Speedway at the age of 33 back in 1996 in the stock 8 class, and has won close to one hundred races and four or five points championships through out the last 13 years. He mentioned to me that the most memorable times of his racing career, were those “good old days” when he shared the dirt tracks with a paralyzed driver by the name of Buddy Lamb. “Those were the great times of family, friends and fun that I often remember with a smile on my face before the passing of my wife in 2003.” said Kenneth. He has ran at most local dirt track in the Upstate, but Travelers Rest Speedway has pretty much been his home track for several years now.

The worst crash Bowers was involved in while racing on 4 wheels, was back in 2005 at Harris Speedway. He said, “I have been hurt far worse on bikes but this one really threw me for a spin and I am thankful that this was one of the very few races that my mother did not get to make it to.” Flipping his car over and over five times, left no broken bones, but sore for some time.

I asked him if he had any plans to switch classes and his simple answer was “No”. “It’s tough enough to make it in this economy as it is, much less even thinking about building for another class. It just never really crossed my mind and I don’t feel that it would be something I would want to do.” said Kenneth.

In December of 2008, Bowers had to have a total hip replacement surgical procedure. His recovery was slow, yet steady. As the first of the racing season rolled around, problems with the tuning of the car kept the wins from coming as easily as years past, but now the “Wildman” has things dialed in as they should be and expects another win any time now.

“Wildman” Bowers claimed his first win of the 2009 season on June 6th, and though he has not had another since, the predictions are outstanding for the chance of seeing that infamous dance on the hood of the red fifty five in the winners circle.

Kenneth Bowers would like to send out a special Thank You to Scott Brown, Chris Barton, Pierson Bryant and Fish Cook for all of their hard work and help with the cars. He would also like to say Thank You to his mother Sadie Bowers, his daughter Kayla Bowers, his sister Carolyn Southern and his biggest fan Jim Daddy Owens for all their love and support through out his life as well as racing career.

His quote for all the young drivers today just starting out is, “Stick with it!”

I would like to personally Thank Kenneth Bowers for taking time to talk with me. It has been a pleasure getting to know more about this outstanding local legend from Glassy Mountain. Good luck each and every week you put your tires on that track.

Thanks to Big Dog Photos for allowing us to use this picture. Click on image to see more.

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