Bob Dotter Three Time Arca Champion 1.jpg

Daytona Countdown -3: Three-time ARCA Champion Bob Dotter

www.arcaracing.com February 6, 2019

With his slender frame and quiet personality, Chicago, Illinois driver Bob Dotter might not have looked like a tough guy. When you noticed his missing left hand, you also might have assumed when he climbed into a racecar that he’d be at some sort of disadvantage.

You’d be wrong on both counts.

Despite losing his left arm in an industrial accident in the 1960s, Dotter became one of Chicagoland’s most accomplished short track drivers and eventually became a three-time ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards national champion.

Dotter wrestled is racecars around the rough and tumble bullrings that made up the bulk of the ARCA schedule in the late 1970s and early 1980s with his right arm. His left arm, with a steel hook replacing his missing hand, would rest in his lap.

It didn’t slow him. He would win six times in ARCA competition, the first at Illiana Motor Speedway in Schererville, Indiana, not all that far from his Chicago home.

Dotter won the title for three different car owners. In 1980 he won the title driving the No.76 for Bill Hahnlein. In 1983 he drove the No. 40a for owner Jeff Fortier, the number a unique play on the team owner’s last name. In 1984, he moved to the No. 83 and team owner Bill Goudie. All told, Dotter would finish among the top ten in series points for 13 consecutive seasons from 1980 through 1992.

Dotter’s talents weren’t reserved to driving. Once he stepped out of the cockpit, he served as crew chief for Andy Hillenburg and they combined to win the 1995 series championship.

Dotter passed away in 2003. His son Bobby owns SS Green Light Racing which competes in the NASCAR XFINITY and Gander Outdoor Truck Series. Last year, the team ran a throwback scheme to Bob Dotter’s 1980 championship winning car.

The 2019 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards season starts with the Lucas Oil 200 driven by General Tire at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, February 9. Fox Sports 1 will broadcast the race live, with the green flag waving over the expected 40-car field at 4:45 pm ET. ARCARacing.com will have complete event coverage, including live timing & scoring and track updates, free for ARCA for Me members. New members can register at ARCARacing.com/login.