Paul O’Connor

A former vice president and interim president at Kankakee Community College, Paul also coached the college’s Women’s Basketball Team for 14 years advancing to the NJCAA National Tournament 9 times, winning the national championship in 1995, and retiring from college coaching with a 409-63 record.

Paul was better known to race fans as long time crew member for Jim O’Connor’s #8 in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. This tenure included track championships at Kankakee (6), Santa Fe (3), the Illinois and Michigan State Championship races, 4 National Clay Track titles and 38 feature wins in 1976. Back in the day, Paul along with Earl Huber and others were instrumental in reopening Kankakee Fairground Speedway where Paul was promoter/treasurer and announcer.

Today Paul and his wife Kathy are retired and travel extensively by Motor Home. When they are not heading down the highway on another adventure, they spend time in their homes in Illinois, Kansas and Florida. Illinois Vintage Racing is proud to include Paul as an honorary member of our Board of Directors. His advice is always in depth, on target and well appreciated.