Former ARCA Menards Series Champion Car Owner Paul Wensink Dies At 91

Paul Wensink of Deshler, Ohio, passed away Nov. 21, 2020, at Wood Haven Health Care in Bowling Green, Ohio. He was 91. Wensink was the 1955 ARCA Rookie of the Year who drove in more than 300 ARCA Menards Series races during his career from 1955-77.

Wensink, who owned the cars he drove and for the most part served as the primary mechanic, was the 1958 ARCA Menards Series champion car owner and finished second in driver points to Nelson Stacy that season. He also finished second in 1967 ARCA Menards Series driver points to Iggy Katona.

Wensink scored two wins in his long career, at Ohio’s Toledo Raceway Park in 1956 and at Louisville Downs in Kentucky in 1967.

Wensink befriended ARCA founder John Marcum early in his racing career and loyally raced in his MARC and ARCA circuits for decades. He was the model of consistency, finishing in the top five in series points nine times from 1955-70. He also drove in the NASCAR Cup Series, with a top finish of 12th in 1952 at Playland Park in South Bend, Indiana.

Wensink, nicknamed “Shakey,” was known for his racing slogan applied to each of his race cars: “The faster I go, the behinder I get.”

Wensink was the owner-operator of local Deshler, Ohio, service stations and auto shops, including Deshler Pure Oil, Wensink Sunoco and Wensink Motor Sales.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Joyce (Jimison) Wensink; children Randy (Deb) Wensink, Ray (Annette) Wensink, Joe (Meir) Wensink and Kaylene (Tom) Wensink-Stevens; 13 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; 3 great great grandchildren; and sister, Betty Wilhelm. He was preceded in death by daughter Sharon Huff; granddaughter, Charity Hummel; sisters, Frances Routzon and Helen Dibling; and brothers William “Bill” Wensink and Don Wensink, who introduced him to racing at a young age.

Per his wishes, services will be private for the family, and Shakey will be laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery, Deshler, Ohio. A celebration of life will be held and announced at a later date. Memorials are suggested to Bridge Hospice, 15100 Birchaven Lane, Findlay, Ohio, 45840. Condolences, messages and remembrances for the family can be left at www.feehanrodenbergerfuneralhome.com.