Dale Planck Passes Away
Dale J. Planck
July 16, 1970 – June 22, 2024
Dale J. Planck, 53, of Cortland, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, June 22, 2024.
A lifelong area resident Dale was born July 16, 1970, a son of the late Dennis and Barbara Kniffen Planck. He grew up on Rob San Drive in Homer and was a 1988 graduate of Homer High School.
Dale was a long-time respected and Hall of Fame racecar driver throughout the eastern part of the country. He had amassed over two hundred feature wins along with eleven track championships and four series championships, three of which were under the Nascar regional title banner. Known to many as “The Natural” he had a racing career spanning over 30 years. After his career as a driver, Dale became focused on helping other racers build their teams and develop their driving skills.
Since 2016, he had been partnered with building a business with his son, Brandon, of Dig Race Products in Cortland, focusing on northeast dirt modified shocks and suspension tuning. He was beloved in the motorsports world as a racecar driver and mind but he was also a beloved husband, father, papa, and friend.
Surviving is his loving wife, Leslie M. Stone Planck of 35 years; two sons, Stephen (Jennifer) Planck of Poland, NY, Brandon (Julide) Planck of Liverpool, NY; three grandchildren, Autumn Santamour, Lilly Planck and Everly Planck, as well as several siblings, Crystal Meyers, Renee Claassen, Patrick Hutchins, Ray Ortlieb, Billy Joe Sykes along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Dale’s services will held over two days, on Thursday and Friday.
Calling hours will be held Thursday, June 27, 2024, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Donald L. Barber Funeral Home, 5016 U.S. Route 11, Homer.
Memorial services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, June 28, 2024, at the funeral home.
Memorial condolences for the family may be left at www.DonaldLBarberFuneralHome.com.
The family would also like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the emergency response team’s efforts along with the overwhelming amount of support from family, friends, and Dale’s fans.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dale J. Planck, please visit our floral store.
Services
Calling Hours
Thursday
June 27, 2024
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Donald L. Barber Funeral Home
5016 US Route 11
Homer, NY 13077
Memorial Service
Friday
June 28, 2024
12:00 PM
Donald L. Barber Funeral Home
5016 US Route 11
Homer, NY 13077
Sources: Donald L. Barber Funeral Home