Long-time Badger Midget Series car owner Lyle Corrigan who guided Kevin Olson to his first of five Badger championships, died at the age of 86 in Loves Park, IL, on Tuesday, June 27. Born August 7, 1930, Lyle was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. In 1970, he and his wife Marianne purchased Corrigan Manufacturing, Inc., which was started by Lyle's father in 1929.
Lyle raced motorcycles as a young man, along with 3/4 midgets before turning his attention to being a midget car owner in the mid 70's. Olson, and Corrigan teamed up to win the 1976 Badger driver, and car owner titles, finishing 137-points ahead of the nearest competitor. The Corrigan Manufacturing Spl. was a fixture at midget races throughout the country for the next twenty-five plus seasons.
Lyle's son Joe began driving in 1978. Three years later Joe captured the first of six Angell Park Speedway feature victories for the father-son team, on August 23,1981. The seventh place point finish would be one of nine top ten Badger points finishes for Lyle. Lyle and Joe also won midget features outside of the Badger sanction together. One of their proudest moments was setting fast time two consective years 1984-85 for the Turkey Night Grand Prix, at Ascot Park Speedway. Their qualifying mark held for several years before the track closed.
Joe retired from active driving in 1989. Don Tyler scored three Badger Midget feature victories during the 1990-91 seasons for Lyle, including a third place point finish in 1991.
Lyle's son Roger started racing in 1993, capturing the Badger Midget Rookie of the Year honors. Roger scored a several popular feature victories for the team in front of the hometown crowd winning at Rockford Speedway. Lyle also bowled on the Loves Park Business Men's Bowling League for many years.
Survivors include his children, Douglas Corrigan, Joseph (Debra) Corrigan, Wendy Clancy, Kelly (Greg) Finch, Michele (Michael) Williams and Roger (Tricia) Corrigan; grandchildren, Megan, Sam, Aidan, Liam, Nicholas, Matthew, Ryan, Danielle, Brendan, Andrew, Catherine, Ella, Brianna, and Brooke; great-grandson, Kaiden; sisters, Janice Pohlman and Sali (Ronald) Sonnenleiter, many nieces, and nephews. Predeceased by his parents and wife.
Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 1, in St. Bridget Catholic Church, 600 Clifford Ave., Loves Park, with visitation from 9 to 9:45 a.m. in the church. Burial in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation also from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 30, in Delehanty Funeral Home, Ltd., 401 River Lane, Loves Park.
Photo caption: Joe, Roger, and Lyle Corrigan after each winning the trophy dash at Angell Park Speedway.
- administrator on Jun 30, 2017
- Article Date: 6/29/2017 by Bryan Gapinski