60'-70's Vintage Oval Track Modifieds

I like this shot just for the fact it is NOT a Black & White photo. It must have taken a LOT of effort to REMOVE all the colors that would normally be on a racecar.

I realized it WAS a color picture, only after seeing another shot of this car, in which the rest of the pack IS in color.

 

Another Bob Judkins owned 2x. This one originally piloted by the late, great Eddie Flemke. This thing runs like a bat-outta-hell, and was driven this night by Judkins' Grandson, Tour Mod standout, Ryan Preece.

Denny Zimmerman.... if your reading this, you HAVE to come!!!

As I said in a prior post, if you'd like to get e-mail updates as this event (4th Annual) gets closer, please e-mail me and I will send updates as they happen.

jbinner@att.net
Jerry Binner
407-790-9724

 

Frasson118, I just now put it on my calendar. See ya there. Denny Zimmerman

 

Great Stuff and thanks for the info Jerry

 

Some more Teddy Wesnofske shots, don't think they will stir up as much banter as the bare bottomed races....

Teddy in the pinto that preceded the raven pinto


The raven pinto at speed at Islip (Don Cote photo)



In the Cromwell Hornet short track version



I think this is actually George Wagner in the Hornet (yellow firesuit)



The Cromwell Team Cars driven by Teddy (hornet) and George Wagner (vega) in 1976

 

The Superspeedway version of the Hornet that Teddy actually wrecked in at Pocono....I believe the first shot was taken at Dover...the car had some flared rear fenders and a corvette-like snout





The Cromwell Chevette that Teddy piloted during the 1977 season...a couple of wins and the one lap track record holder for a while 12:49?...the car was later driven by Gary Winters and George Wagner III...

I believe the rest of these photos are by Brian Cholerton...





Racing midget stand out Johnny Coy in the #43




Not a good night!




Racing Jacques Martin aka Jackie Reinhardt. I believe the #83 was a Charlie Siebert built/owned Mustang II



in victory lane





battling Tommy Baldwin in the Butch Mecieka owned #18 Bobcat



Tommy Baldwin in the Butch Mecieka owned #18 Bobcat

 

Good job JBull.

 

Had Cagle and his wife, Barb, over to the house last night and showed him this picture.

It is a Richie Evans car that Cagle bought from him, less engine.

We're both pretty sure the track pictured is Langhorne.

Will ran the car a handful of times. Said he didn't like the way it handled. It didn't match Will's driving style. He praised Evans and his driving ability to make it work.

Will said it was a straight front axle car with split radius rods and the Flemke spring set-up. Will left it Evans signature orange with the V-ed black stripes but changed the car number to #24.

Apparently Evans had some pretty potent power plants, 'cause Cagle said his replacement engine was way down on power and might've been a significant factor in changing the cars handling.

Cagle said Evans used to go into the corners about wide open and must've burped the throttle momentarily to get the car turned, was back on the gas again and was gone.
I think Will said he used the car in a few All-Star Racing League races on asphalt.

Barb told me who they sold it to, but i can't remember. Without Will's coaching, after she looked at the picture, she said, "Oh that's the car we bought from Evans. Will didn't like that car." So that confirmed Will's story.

AND, the cover over the engine was a Cagle trademark. He said he always did that to keep the other racers off balance. In this case the engine wasn't anything special.

I'll say this about Cagle, his memory is sharp.

He drove us out to dinner. Think I'll drive next time. I'll have to buy a car with a back seat. He's terrible .

 

"Apparently Evans had some pretty potent power plants, 'cause Cagle said his replacement engine was way down on power and might've been a significant factor in changing the cars handling."

I don't know if anyone ever built more power into a motor than Hutter

 

Back then, I don't think Hutter was building Richie's engines.

 

Rich, I got a PM from Jimmy Hendrickson Jr. I am not even sure he knows of this thread. He didn't have any posts. Hopefully he's been lurking.

Oh, BTW, I was at a BBQ today with Irene, my old secretary from the magazine, she sends her love. We might be going back tomorrow.

OK, Back on topic.

 

Just read this morning (8/8/10) that Jackie Wilson passed away. If I did it correctly, I attached his obit (Reading Eagle, Reading PA) and 3 photos. The photos were snapped at Reading in 1972, 2 by me and one I bought.

John "Jack" Wilson, 61, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010, at Reading Hospital surrounded by family, his wife of 42 years, Sally, his son, John Wilson, his daughter, Saunja, his son-in-law, Vince Vicari, and their six children: Andrew, Molly, Lindy, Peter, Natalee and Ellee. His sister, Lucille and brother-in-law, Jim Cronin, and their children were also present.

Jack was born in Newburgh, N.Y., a son of John and Elizabeth Wilson.
Jack graduated from New York Military Academy as Company Commander. He was awarded the President's Medal for excellence.
Jack's bachelor's degree was earned at Valley Forge Christian College and his master's degree was earned at the Assembly of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, Mo. He received his doctorate in human behavior from Honolulu University.
Dr. Wilson touched many lives as he ministered for over 25 years. Along with his wife, Sally, they founded two churches, a live weekly television show, "Let's Talk with Jack and Sally," and church-related radio broadcasts.
Wilson was President of Calvary Bible College in Jacksonville, Fla.
He developed, taught and wrote numerous articles on biblical understandings of human behavior.
He and his family returned to Reading in 1993.
A national quarter midget champion, Jack Wilson had a famed racing career known throughout the East Coast in modified stock cars. An infrequent, yet popular competitor at the Reading Fairgrounds, Wilson primarily made his mark at his home track in New York's Lebanon Valley Speedway.
He recently consulted for a number of micro-sprint teams and tutored drivers, including his son in past years, to become strong competitors.
Last May, Dr. Wilson founded and organized God's Air Force, incorporating hot air balloons on the National Day of Prayer over the city of Reading. Ministers from the Council of Churches joined in the celebration.
Services were private. Walter R. Christ Funeral Home Inc., Laureldale, was in charge of arrangements. For online condolences, visit www.christfuneralhome.com.

 

We got to know Richie Evans fairly well when we ran at Shangri La in Owego, New York in 1970, '71 and '73. One of the things that set Richie apart from the other "shoes" of the day was his willingness to share information with others.

The big block Chevrolet motors were king at that time and most favored the 427 cubic inch motors. If I recall correctly from conversations with Richie, his motors were built at B&M in Rochester and were 95% over-the-counter Chevrolet perfomance parts. The Corvette L-88 aluminum open chamber heads were as good as anything on the market. I believe Richie said that the cam, Mag, rockers and the intake were the only aftermarket parts in his motors.

The biggest issue with the 427 was the forged steel crankshafts. Most of the cranks from the factory were not straight and had what was known as an "S" bend in them. Suitable for street use, they would tend to score the main bearings when turned at the upper range of RPM's on the ovals. The good motor builders at the time knew how to machine the cranks and align bore the blocks to remove the bend and let the motor live at high Revs. I heard stories that some of the builders actually could physically straigten the cranks but I don't know if this was true. My sense is that B&M knew how to machine, balance and blueprint the motors better than anyone else at the time.

Richie was also pretty tight with Firestone Tires at this time and I'm not sure he sent his best tires with the car when he sold it to Cagle...

Some others may want to tag on to my note with more detail.

Regards,

Moselli

 

Katman43: Thanks for the info. Jackie raced at Leb. Valley when we saw him race. His 6 cylinder motor had a turbo that whistled. thus the name--Whistlin' Wilson...He wasn't very old:-(( Neal

 

I remember the nick-name, but didn't know where it came from. I think I came along a few years later.
Thanks for that bit.

 

For those interested in seeing some vintage oval cars there will be a show in Fort Worth Texas at Cowtown Speedway on August 21st. Right now we have 23 cars registered. There will be Modifieds, Super Modifieds, Sprint and Midgets. I will be there. This event is the first track event for Vintage Texas Open Wheel a new club in Texas to preserve the history of racing in and around Texas. My car will be there.
Thanks,
Dan

 

Dan... that car in your profile... did you get that from Bill McPeek (or possibly JT Dunn)? That car was at a few of my Reunions

 

This car is a rebuilt Jim Shampine original, now owned by David Hollinger in Titusville, FL. The rest of the sheet metal work has been attached

This car should also be at the Modified Reunion on February 18th, 2011 at New Smyrna (FL) Speedway.

 

Don't know how I lost the picture...

 

Another Bob Judkins 2x that that will be at the Modified Reunion.

If you'd like to be added to the e-mail list, please e-mail or call me to get future updates as they happen...

Modified Reunion
Friday, February 18th, 2011
New Smyrna Speedway

Jerry Binner
407-790-9724 or jbinner@att.net

 

Jerry,

Yes that was the car that was owned by Bill and JT. I'm Ralph's oldest son and I purchased it from JT last February. It's in Texas now. My plan is to make the February DAARA event every year. I hope to see you there.

Dan Carlsen
98 Racing

 

If I remember right Jackie Wilson and Frank Mears ended up in a fiery crash at Rolling Wheels Speedway in 1974. Is this the same Jackie Wilson?

 

JoeRacer: That was Jackie Wilson in the firey crash. If I remember, he missed the rest of the season because of the injuries he had.

Neal78: It was funny to me that he settled in this area (Reading, PA). I remember him only in the early part of the season because Reading usually opened eralier than most (mid March). He also came on special shows. He eventually became an official at the Reading Fairgrounds in it's last seasons. I assume that's when his daughter got with Vince Vicari. I spoke to Vince & his wife numerous times over the years and never realized she was Jackie Wilson's daughter.
Jackie was also running a snow cone or water ice stand at Kutztown on the Wednesday night racing shows. My buddy was wondering why he wasn't there last Wednesday. I guess we know now.
He certainly was a good, competitive racer........

 

Here was the scene in Granby on the 30th of July, we race again this Saturday at the Riverside Speedway in Quebec.

 

Yvan,

It looked like a great time. How's the 123 running?

Dan

 

Hey folks I'm back, been awhile, busy busy busy time of year for me! Mike Adaskaveg wanted me to give a shout out for his photos, I've used here on the H.A.M.B., he wanted to let all the fellas from Stafford and the Northeast that he is still around doing photos! Thank you Mike for the coverage you brought to us and stories that can still be told here! http://mikeadaskaveg.com/MIKEADASKAVEG.COM/Welcome.html

Thank you to guys like Howie Hodge who still doing photos also and Peter Lawlor, who son, Fran is now doing photos and to all the guys I haven't mentioned. THANK YOU!