Former Knoxville Mayor Craig Kelley approached the Knoxville City Council at the September 6 meeting about placing  bronze statues of sprint car racers on the four corners of the city square around the courthouse.

The four people he would like to see honored include Steve Kinser, Sammy Swindell, Doug Wolfgang and Jan Opperman. Kinser, Swindell and Wolfgang were all known as the “Big Three,” in their heyday of sprint car racing. Opperman was known as the original outlaw.

The statutes would be paid for by funds collected from drivers and sponsors, so it wouldn’t be an expense for the city.

The council took no action on the proposal, but directed Kelley to contact Planning and Zoning before returning to the council.

According to Kelley, he wants the statues downtown to draw visitors to that area of Knoxville.