Dewey Rethman Inducted into the Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame in 2009. Dewey Rethman now resides in Manistique, MI with his wife of 60 years, the former Donna Garrison. They had three children: Eddie (deceased), Cathy Fagan & Husband Al, and Randy Rethman. Dewey’s crew, was Engine man: Jerry Dodge, Chassis: Ron Ross and Chuck Dodge. Dewey run with his team all 31 years. On occasion, he also drove for Van Haute Chevy, Tommy Olson, Jimmy Roberts & Dale Woolworth’s 2nd car. Dewey started racing in 1950 at Auburn Speedway and his last race was at Dixie speedway. Dewey had over 500 Feature wins and 30 track Championships. He raced up to six days a week, many times running cars in two classes. In the 1960’s, Dewey was track Champion at Auto city in a six and the V-8’s threatened to quit, so he was banned against running with the 8’s. He raced at Auburn, Dixie, Berlin, Jackson, Owendale, Zilwaukee, West Branch, Spartan, Auto City, Standish, Merritt, Whittimore, Owosso, Oscoda, Saginaw Fairgrounds, Clare, Reese, Mt. Pleasant, and Crystal Speedways. He raced against Hall Of Fame Drivers, such as: Cy Fairchild, Johnny Roberts, Jimmy and Donnie Roberts, Jay Woolworth, Larry McCloskey, Jack Goodwin, Tommy Lane, Tommy Maier, Dick Carter, Wayne Landon, Johnny Benson Sr., Mickey Katlin, Joy Fair, Mike Eddy, Butch and Gary Fedewa, Benny Parsons, Tiny Lund, Jimmy Nelson and many others. Dewey raced and won in Six Cylinders, Super, Late Models and Super Modifieds. Dewey’s biggest racing thrills were in the fifties, was winning the last Feature ever run at Zilwaukee and many times, Sportsman of the year at many tracks. Dewey also won the last race at Dixie Speedway on dirt, May of 1959, on Mother’s Day and first race on pavement when they reopened and has the Purple Coat to prove it. In the 60’s, Dewey raced against Benny Parsons and beat NASCAR’s Tiny Lund at Auto City. In 1969, he won Mid-Season Championships on Thursdays at Auburn, Saturday at Auto City and Sunday at Dixie. Track Champion at Auto City with a six against V-8’s. The next year they wouldn’t let him run against the eight’s with his six. In the 70’s, Dewey won a Marc Times Invitational, August 11, 1970 against the top drivers from: Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Canada and thru out the midwest. He also won many M.S.P.A. Carling Circuit of Championship races in the 70’s, but, his biggest thrill in racing was his first race against his son, Eddie at Auto City. Eddie went on to be a great driver in his own right, before cancer took him at the young age of 38. Dewey likes his wins and Championships, but his Sportsmanship and Fan Favorites Awards meant more than anything, because the fan’s voted for him. Dewey is still involved with racing with his Grand-Daughter, Holly Rethman racing Go-Karts for Warrior Racing. RIP Uncle Dewey!
Posted on: Sat, 01 Mar 2014 14:23:02 +0000
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