Does anyone one know if the Billy Stepp, owner of the Billy " the kid" Super Stock/ Pro Stock teams is still around ??? Does anyone have one of his cars ?? You see all sorts of survivors being drug out and restored and put back on the track, but I don't recall seeing a Billy "the kid " car anywhere. These cars had awsome paint schemes and would make a great nostalgia Pro Stocker. pic courtsey Hemi Fred prostockhemi.com

Here's a pic of the 72 Demon...

You're right. Seems odd that of all the old race cars coming out of the woodwork, none of his cars.

Anyone had any contact with Melvin Yow? Didn't he drive of his cars...?? Fred???

Yes, Melvin did drive one of the Billy " The Kid " cars he is retired from racing living in Eastern NC enjoying his grand children.

One of my favorite Billy "The Kid" pics !!

Yes, Mr. Stepp is still around, as is his son Billy, for whom the cars were named. They put together a new Pro Stock Neon team around 8 years ago and ran for two years with limited success. That car is now campaigned as the Motown Missle by Arnie Klann of California. I used to own Stepp's first Challenger (it no longer has its original paint scheme), which is now in the hands of a collector in MN. Stepp's Plymouth Arrow (driven by Ronnie Sox) is being raced as a Super Gas car in PA and the owner is well aware of its history. His Colt was totalled at Bristol by Melvin Yow after it was sold to Gil Kirk's Rod Shop, but before Kirk could take delivery. Ouch. The second Challenger and the Demon ended up in the hands of Carmen Rotunda and Rufus "Brooklyn Heavy" Boyd, but disappeared after Heavy was sent on a government vacation. IRS seizure? Don't know. The "Independent" Dart Sport? Also don't know. Stepp was upset when Chrysler cancelled his parts deal. The cars were painted by the "Egyptian", a friend of Ed Newton's and Big Daddy Ed Roth, who still lives and paints in Dayton, OH (Stepp's hometown). Mr Stepp is a very private person and is difficult to contact without a proper introduction. I'm pleased to say I'm one of the few history buffs that has made his acquaintance. Hopefully someone here knows of the Dart's location...

Bobby Yowell was driving the Colt when it was destroyed at Bristol. What happened is that they forgot to put the wheelie bars in position before the pass, and it rolled and was destroyed. Melvin was running the Dart Sport, and both cars were being campaigned.

Yowell was another driver from the Dayton area, who had some prior success with a S&M built Duster. It was well known for it's beautiful paint scheme. I do not know what ever happened to Yowell or the Duster. His family had run a moving business in that area....I don't know if they are still around.

You're right! I questioned myself when I wrote that. Yowell/Yow; chicken/egg. Anyway, Stepp probably had more drivers than any other single car team. Dick Humpbert, Don Carlton, Herb McC (but only for one race), Carmen Rotunda, Yowell, Yow, Sox... I'm sure I'm missing a couple. BTW I've still noticed Yowell Trucking semis on the road in the not too distant past.

Oh yea. Stu McDade.

One of mr Stepp's old cars is in Finland, however ist's one of the newest, an Avenger. Currently with a GM powerplant, although the B1-TS engine is still around and available.

Love these threads with history of the early Pro Stock, and the not so well known pioneers of the sprot.

Thanks for sharing.

Jeff

There was an original 70/71 Billy The Kid Challenger still in the original paint scheme in Muncie, IN back in 1994. I saw the car several times, I was a 16 year-old and just trying to get my 318 Challenger on the road a guy befriended me and helped me get a few things sorted out on it.

Turned out he told me to stop by his shop and had that Challenger, a 67 Hemi GTX, and a Gas Rhonda Mustang race car with the 427 OHC engine... I was amazed by those cars and still remember them well.

I don't want to post the guy's name on here, but he was a very nice guy. Anyone else here know the guy from Muncie that I'm talking about? I am going up to visit my parents this year for Christmas, maybe I'll try and pay him a visit.

Darren

Darren,
I believe that is my old car, which was sold to my Indiana friend in the mid nineties. It had a hippie paint scheme by the Egyptian, but it was not the original scheme. The car then went to Minnesota where it is in very good hands.

I just met and got a die cast of Bobby Yowells Duster from his brother Vic. Pretty cool piece...

One of the cars is still located in Ohio. I was fortunate enough to see it a month or two ago. I don't know if the owner wants everyone to know the location. Next time I talk to him I will ask him if he minds his name being given out to the public.

The wealth of knowlege on this site never ceases to amaze me. I hope you old!! guys have all this imformation written down somewhere.

Thanks for sharing,
Jack

I remember my Dad racing against Mr Stepp on bikes at Kil-Kare in the late 60's