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HSDM Remembers Court Grandstaff (1954–2026)

HSDM Remembers Court Grandstaff (1954–2026)

Writer: highspeeddirtmedia
highspeeddirtmedia
Jul 8
2 min read

Sprint car racing lost one of its true pioneers this week with the passing of Court Grandstaff, the longtime owner of the iconic black TropArtic/Phillips 66 No. 66 from Dewey, Oklahoma.


Court was more than a car owner—he was a racer, mentor, and one of the architects of NCRA sprint car racing. Alongside his wife, Sarah, he built the No. 66 into one of the most respected teams in the Midwest, earning the admiration of competitors and fans alike. Even reaching notoriety coast to coast.


The list of drivers who wheeled the famous No. 66 reads like a who’s who of sprint car racing:


✨Mike Peters helped establish the team’s reputation throughout the 1990s, collecting numerous NCRA feature wins and making the Grandstaff No. 66 a weekly contender.


✨Aaron Berryhill, the 1992 World of Outlaws Rookie of the Year, climbed aboard in 1999, scoring NCRA victories from Mandan, North Dakota, to Arlington, Minnesota, and Mayetta, Kansas, while also competing against the World of Outlaws.


✨Brooke Tatnell elevated the team to legendary status, capturing back-to-back NCRA Championships in 2002 and 2003. In 2003, Tatnell also delivered the only World of Outlaws victory for Court Grandstaff’s famed No. 66, winning at Jetmore Motorplex in Kansas—a milestone that forever etched the team into Outlaw history.


The black No. 66 was fast. Whether it rolled into an NCRA show, an All Star event, or a World of Outlaws race, everyone in the pit area knew the Grandstaff team had come to win.


Court’s greatest legacy, however, wasn’t measured in trophies. It was the drivers he believed in, the friendships he built, and the passion he poured into sprint car racing for decades.


From everyone at High Speed Dirt Media, we extend our deepest condolences to Sarah, the Grandstaff family, former drivers and crew members.


Thank you, Court. The No. 66 will forever be one of sprint car racing’s most iconic rides, and your impact on this sport will never be forgotten.


On a personal note… I’m blessed to have known him.

 
 
 

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