RHINELANDER, Wis. – Rich Oertel, who competed in both local and USAC stock car racing, passed away at his home in Rhinelander, Wis., on July 7 at the age of 77.
Racing out of Palatine, Ill., during his speed career, Oertel competed in USAC stock car competition on both pavement and dirt from 1966 through 1972, making only two or three races a year and as many as nine in 1971.
Driving for Chicago area car owners Gene Buck, Vern Ladendorf and Dan Kozbiel over the years, Oertel turned in his best USAC performance on Oct. 9, 1966 at Missouri’s Mid-America Raceways, when he finished seventh on the road course in Buck’s 1964 Ford No. 88. Oertel raced at the “Milwaukee Mile” 16 times.
Oertel wheeled Ladendorf’s 1969 Ford Torino No. 71 to a 14th-place finish at Milwaukee on July 12, 1970, earning his biggest paycheck in USAC racing – winning $1,105 for his afternoon’s work.
Over the years, Oertel competed at most of the area paved short tracks including Grundy, Illiana, Waukegan Speedway, Soldier Field and O’Hare Stadium.