| Sources |
- [S76] Atchley Funeral Home Records, Volume III, 1974-1986, Larry D. Fox, (Smoky Mountain Historical Society), 7 Aug 1981.
John Cusick Pitner obituary
- [S51] The Seymour Herald, (www.smokymountainherald.com), 13 Aug 2012.
Celebrity Discovered in Seymour: Local Man is Champion Racecar Driver
Freddy Pitner holds one of his many racing trophies. (The Herald/ Joe King)
When most people think about celebrities from Sevier County, Dolly Parton is the name that is usually brought up, but this former Sevierville High School classmate of the iconic country signer has been garnering some fame of his own.
A member of SHS class of 1961, Freddy Pitner is actually pictured on the same page of the yearbook as Parton. Although that fact only creates a star-struck perception with some, Pitner, 67, has been making his mark by driving racecars and winning numerous trophies for his efforts.
“Most people recognize number three as Earnhardt’s, but I hade that number in 1979,” Pitner said.
Recalling the start of his racing career, Pitner said he began running the Chicago vintage racetrack circuit in 1974.
“It really began before I moved out of Seymour,” he said. “I was 13 years old and Don Floyd let me drive his 1956 Ford at the 411 Speedway. I was in heaven.”
Although Pitner had to cut the early part of his racing career short to focus on his career as an engineer for the city of Chicago, he maintained the lifestyle by becoming a pit crew member of his close friend Frank Slabenak.
Together, Pitner and Slabenak traveled around the Midwest in his 1967 Chevy Cheval 6-cylinder and raced on both dirt and asphalt tracks.
Sitting in one of his vintage cars, Pitner is ready for the next race. (The Herald/ Joe King)
However, Pitner eventually had to give up the racing lifestyle entirely until he was offered a retirement package from the City of Chicago in 2004.
“After I took the package, I sold the house and got a good price on it because this was before the market crashed,” he said. “I bought the house my father built and that I grew up in and moved back to Seymour with my wife, Sharon.”
And then, in 2007, Pitner revved his racing gears back-up.
As a testament to his success, Pitner has won five out of six races he drove in, received numerous trophies, and awards, has been the featured in racing magazines such as Illinois Vintage Racing, and earned the nickname “Fast” Freddy Pitner.
“I will probably keep it up until I am about 72,” he said. “I owe a lot to my son John who maintains the car for me and to Ralph Malec for handling the springs and shocks.”
Pitner said his next race is scheduled for Aug. 25 at the Sycamore, Indiana Speed Raceway.
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Abt 1945 - (~ 79 years)
, d. 7 Aug 1981 (Age 72 years) 