50 Greatest Modified Drivers – Maynard Troyer 1938-2018
“The Invader”
Maynard Troyer was never a track champion or regular at Stafford, but whenever he ventured from his native New York, his presence was known and without a doubt, he left his mark. During his driving career he entered Stafford’s Victory Lane on six occasions. All extra distance, high paying events.
His first Stafford win came on Labor Day in 1975 when he won the 200-lap Holiday Classic. In 1976 he won an event called ‘The Race’ which was co-promoted by Spring Sizzler originators Dick Berggren, Lew Boyd, and Bruce Cohen. From 1977 through 1979, he won three Spring Sizzlers in a row plus in 1978 Troyer won the Ferrara 100.
When many competitors were switching to small block Chevy power, Troyer stuck with the tried and true big block 427. To off set the low-end power of the small block, Troyer had a special big bore, short stroke engine built. No one knew what his secret was until the special engine blew up and exploded.
Shortly after the 1977 season ended, Troyer opened Troyer Engineering, which revolutionized and standardized the Modified racecar. Troyer Engineering merged with LFR in 2019 and now operates Troyer Manufacturing and Troyer Dirt.
Troyer also tried his hand at NASCAR Cup racing in the mid 1970’s driving a Ford owned by Dave Wagle of Rochester, New York. His most notable feat was flipping 12 times coming off of turn two at Daytona.
Troyer’s list of wins and championships are many. Among his most notables are wins in the Race of Champions at both Trenton and Pocono, plus a couple of Oswego 200 wins.
By: Phil Smith
