Features VINTAGE SPRINT CAR PIC THREAD, 1965 and older only please.

Is this Bettenhausen car a resoration or a recreation? I have an idea its the latter. A lot of things are just not right. Nice looking tho!

 

Gary B. crashed the 44 car at Syracuse in 72. Though he was driving Indy cars for Penske at the time, Penske didn't want him anywhere near dirt cars, and getting hurt at Syracuse got him fired from the Penske deal.

 

I recall that Penske had his name on a champ dirt car maybe around '71/'72.

 

I was thinking the Syracuse car was a Grant King cage.

 

Then again maybe not

 

...

 

Couple of shots from the Tampa Fairgrounds, date/drivers unknown but I see the 'Black Duce' and maybe the Wilson 'Offy Killer' #25.

 

That car he crashed at Syracuse had a Cammer under the hood that day.

 

I was there that day, my dad had a car there was pretty young but remember it well

 

'I've posted all of these pics before concerning other matters so, here goes again. This first one is the closest I could come to the car in question. Jimmy Caruthers and Gary B. standing next to car #14 (w/the Chevy engine) that has 'Roger Penske' on the hood. It's either 1972 or 1973 when Gary was still in good graces with Penske. 'Remember, besides Gary's crash at Syracuse in July of '74, he also broke his arm in a sprint car at Dayton in 1972 and missed a few races in the Sunoco McLaren. And as stated before, Gary's 1974 Syracuse car was #44 and had the Ford DOHC.

 

'Yeah Roy, 'You and your Mom were probably sitting up in the grandstands while your Dad, Tommy and Jimmy were down in the pits getting the big Offy ready to go. (Although this pic is @ Springfield.)

 

........'From 1955. 'Thought Roy and DeanLowe would appreciate it.

 

I would happily give $425 for that kit today. How 'bout you, Roy?

 

I wish I could find one!

 

Half the cars on the track when I was racing were Viking Crafts. Your dad built a ton of 'em Roy. Keep lookin'.

 

I have posted some vintage car photos from the Hoosier Hundred on the URL below. Also on the same page are some shots of champ cars there for the Hoosier Hundred. I took these Friday, 5-22-09.

HG

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?do=discuss&discussionid=132&pp=20&page=273

 

I may be wrong but I think the shot is from the final day [Sunday] of the winter nationals in 1964 with Gordon Wooley wheeling the Black #2. Papa Honore had already swapped the Offy for the Chevy.

 

The "Penske" car in the pic could best be described as a "tribute" car. The gentleman (not sure of his name) who purchased this car had no history on it, so he built it the way HE wanted it. If you look, you can see that it was originally a "down tube" car. The workmanship on it is very nice, and of note is the fact that all of the graphics are hand painted (no stickers or decals). I hear the guy wants to sell it (around $20K), so if anybody is interested, PM me and I will get the info.

Heard a great one on Wind Tunnel Sunday. A guy wrote in (and I quote from memory here) "Real race drivers don't cry, and they don't dance. Hell, I could have won Indy in a Penske car" I have a mental picture of Foyt on Dancing with the Stars!

Dave Despain on Wind Tunnel "get's it"!

 

Roy,
I was in sitting in my car waiting to go out with the old cars [the 39 Coors Lite] when a guy stopped by on his Honda scooter and started talking to me. He said he was a friend of yours and you were in turn 3 with a bunch of people. He told me I should give you the 1 finger wave. I asked if Josh was there and he said he did not know Josh. I was not going to do it but when I went around the track I saw Josh and said what the heck so I gave you guys the friendly wave.
Jim Graybeal

 

As far as Dispain goes, you dont get it! He is in bed with NASCRAP!
As far as driving an Indy car; the toughest thing to do in racing, period, is to drive an Indy car at IMS!

 

Nice stuff !
I grew up @ Ascot, (my Dad won first Midget event @ JC's new house) most other SoCal tracks (AZ, NV as well) and knew most of the guys you reference.
Keep up the pics, does wonders for us old racers!

#85 TQ owned by the Otto's and proud of it !!!

Kirk Duane Sears

 

'Kirk, 'Thank you for introducing yourself. Your Dad was definitely one of the best and most well known drivers in Southern California during the 60's and 70's. Unfortunately, I was at Speedway 605 ( formerly San Gabriel Valley Speedway in Irwindale) at the USRC midget race 2 nights after the USAC Midget Turkey Night Grand Prix in 1973...............................................

 

Spike Ruth, I have read and enjoyed your posts. I DO get it. I was simply sharing a quote that I thought highlighted the difference between todays drivers and the ones I grew up admiring. We may have to agree to disagree on this, but I am of the OPINION that many of today's drivers are there because of how they look and what they can bring to the table (money).

I enjoy Dave Despain because it comes across to me that he enjoys all forms of motorsports, and can speak intellegently and entertainingly on them. Is he a shill for NASCAR, or does he report on what is today the most popular form of motorsport in America? I for one wish that we could go back to the day when the best drivers in the world drove at Indy, and the time when open wheel racing was the top of the sport.

Respectfully,

Sean

 

Sean;
Im sorry if i sounded like i disrespected you. You had good points, we just disagree on somethings, which is ok. I just feel that a while back Dave said what he truly felt, but he now must be very carefull not to get the taxi drivers mad at him.
I also wish the best drivers ran Indy, and i think more could if they put some effort into seeking backing.
There is still hope for what we both want; just check out how many empty seats are at NASCRAP CUP races nowadays compared to five years ago! Now they are pushing to try and get the she-man to take her bad attitude down there too. What goes around, comes around!
Spike

 

Vintageracer37--- I think I have seen the 37 up close ---LOL--- Going to OSKY July 2 and Knox Jule 3 ??????

 

Greetings Ned!

Yes you have!

Going on a mission trip to Honduris with my middle daughter that week (something COMPLETELY different!)

Spike Ruth; Never have been much of a NASCAR fan, but that seems to be where the talent goes. We probably agree more than we disagree. Your points are well taken!

Sean

 

I like the tribute and the work done period. A track nose cures a lot of ugly in a hurry if it's laid right!


Dave Dispains first love is motorcycles, unfortunately NASCRAP pays the bills.

 

Not according to Rich Vogler, he said it was the easiest thing he ever drove

 

A few years back, Johnny Parsons Jr. was spending some time in Denver, racing midgets with us RMMRA guys. During one of our conversations he told me that running at Indy was the easiest of all the cars he had driven. If I'm not mistaken, Parsons Jr. was in 12 Indy 500's, best finish 5th, maybe better? Told me he "could take any decent midget or sprint driver and have them running 200mph laps in one afternoon."

 

I think what Spike meant was the roadsters--You had to survive the short tracks, get a chance, make the show and hope to finish. There was a time when any of those could be a tall order.