Karamesines revealed that he plans to retire after the 2020 season with his granddaughter, Krista Baldwin, taking over next year. His intent for the rest of the season is to get her ready to compete.

The native of Chicago was the first driver to top 200 mph, a feat he accomplished at a track in Alton, and has a career best of 313.51 mph. With the help of Don Schumacher Racing and Lucas Oil, Karamesines had been able to continue racing and traveling with the trailer he bought new in 1986.

“I’m tired. It’s the traveling that gets you down,” he said. “I’m just going to get her going and she can have all this stuff. I’ve got a boat in Chicago I use and a place in Florida. When she races, I’ll work with her. She put this car together.”

Confusion abounds when it comes to Karamesines’ age, and when he’s asked, the answer is “It’s a long story but I’m just right close to 90.” Some claim he has surpassed 90. He said he was 16 when the Army sent him to Germany in 1945. You do the math.

He remained on duty overseas for six years after the end of World War II. He returned to the U.S. only after he was nearly killed when crushed by a truck in an accident that left him in a hospital for a year.

Fully recovered, Karamesines bought a 1936 Ford and a career was born. It wasn’t long before he was making news as the first driver to top 200 mph at Alton Dragway in 1960, although others have disputed the claim.