Terry Bivins (HALL OF FAME SPOTLIGHT ----- TERRY BIVINS By Ray Cunningham The CARB Hall of Fame is interwoven into the fabric of American Auto Racing in the Heartland. First ballot CARB Hall of Fame inductee Terry Bivins was one of the greatest KC area stock car drivers ever to put on a helmet. Racing in a career that started in the 1960’s, Terry retired from the sport as a driver for the last time just a few weeks ago. And is now the focus of this months “Spotlight” for the CARB HOF Ambassador’s. When Terry Bivins announced to his many fans and friends that he would retire from racing once and for all in 2021 as a driver there was a definite touch of sadness in the air. Health concerns after too many concussions made this a necessary conclusion to his career as driver, but not to his participation in the sport when he gets to feeling better he said. And you have to believe that statement 100%. For Bivins racing has been a big part of his life since 1964 when he bought a 1955 Ford in Used Car lot, painted it Orange, and started a racing career that would include championships on pavement and dirt racing at local speed plants I-70 Speedway, and Lakeside Speedway (the originals) in 1971, and over 400 victories total. While also racing twice in NASCAR in 1977 (without sponsorship), and in the ASA, before retiring for the first time in 1980. Like a fine wine Bivins however wasn’t done with his racing career, coming back to drive again in the new millennium with his Modified at Lakeside Speedway (new version) until last month. One constant throughout the years in both parts of his career was his family’s involvement. That included originally his step-father Jim and his mother Kay Jones, for their unfaltering emotional and financial support. And for the long haul, his wife Claudia, the backbone of “Team Bivins” on and off the track. Throughout Terry Bivins racing career, “Team Bivins” was behind him all the way to the CARB Hall of Fame in 2004. And then again until he hung up the helmet for the last time in 2021. )
