Popular Indiana sprint car racer Allen Barr died on Friday (Jan. 6). He was 86 years old.
The Columbus, Ind., native was inducted into the Hoosier Auto Race Fans Hall of Fame in 2021.
Barr began his racing career at Columbus Speedway in the 1950s at the age of 15, racing under his brother Gene’s name because he was too young to compete.
Starting in jalopies, Barr eventually made his way to midgets and supermodified, which transitioned to sprint cars. He also raced modifieds and late models toward the end of his career.
Racing throughout central and southern Indiana, Barr made a name for himself at Paragon and Kokomo Speedways. He was a three-time winner of the Midwest National Championship race at Paragon’s quarter-mile dirt track.
Barr was also a frequent competitor with the South Central Indiana Racing Ass’n, winning frequently in the series that ran at Paragon, Bloomington Speedway and 25th Street Fairgrounds Raceway.
Barr raced for 51 years and won more than 400 races
Barr was a member of the Indiana Army National Guard and served active duty with the U.S. Army during the Korean War era.Â
Barr had been a heavy equipment operator for Meshberger Stone and CUI and also was a self-employed landscaper. Allen was also the co-owner with his son, Bret, of Barr Trailer Sales.
Barr is survived by his companion of 22 years, Millie Brown of Columbus; sons, Bill (Betty) Barr and Bret (Kelly) Barr; son-in-law, Paul Roane; grandchildren, Billy (Lindsey) Barr, Andy (Rayna) Barr, Beverly Vogel, Brandon Barr, Owen Barr, Wyat Barr, Crystal Romine, and Kayleigh Roane; 17 great-grandchildren; two nephews, and one niece.
Barrwas preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary; daughter, Belinda Roane; grandson, Jeremey Roane; and a brother, Gene Barr.
The funeral service will be held Jan. 11 at Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home.