Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame - Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Famer Don Maxwell passes away

Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Famer Don Maxwell passes away

by Randy Lawrence, Media Director
LINCOLN, Neb. (July 11, 2006) -- Don Maxwell, 61 lost a long battle with bone cancer on Saturday July 8, 2006. Don began his racing career in 1965 in Albuquerque, NM. ‘Max’ worked with LaVern Nance in 1971 then moved to Lincoln, NE., in 1972 and went to work for Bill Smith at Speedway Motors. Along with Jan Opperman, Maxwell began building cars and they soon became the premier sprint cars in the country. Throughout the 1970s, the Maxwell was the Sprint Car to have if you wanted to go fast.

Maxwell was self-employed engineer and some of his greatest among achievements were his inventions, several of which were patented. He created a leg brace for patients with knee problems and a folding portable stage used by some of the nation’s top country music acts.

Don Maxwell was inducted into the Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2003.

There will be a memorial service for Don Maxwell at the Ice Box in Lincoln, NE., on Thursday July 13, 2006 at 5:00pm. The Ice Box is located at 1800 State Fair Park Drive on the Nebraska State Fairground, just north of the Bob Devaney Center.