Folks Of Interest My Dad turns 87 today old Hot Rodder and Racer

Happy birthday to my Pops. He’s 87 today. He was stricken with Polio at 15 and lost most of the use of his left leg but his loud pedal foot worked great! He managed to do a lot of great stuff in his lifetime. Founding member of the Local Hot Rod and Custom club the KnuckleBusters, managed the local drag strip, raced A/Fuel dragsters, founded the local volunteer Rescue Squad in the 50’s that was one of the best trained and equipped squads in the country. In the 60’s and 70’s, When the local drag strip closed in the 70’s they switched to Sprint cars and he ran the organization that sanction them for a time too. We almost lost him not long ago and he’s not really do well but I thought I’d brag on him. He’s got some great stories that’s for sure. He’sstill got a few cars, a 38 Deluxe coupe, 48 Frazier, 64 Galaxie 390 4-speed he bought new. Here are a few pictures

 

Happy Birthday.
I lost my dad in 1989, cherish every moment.

 

Two thumbs up and a happy birthday to him . Sounds like he didn’t let life get in his way . Kudos.

 

Congradulation's to your Farther I am very Close to his Age
he Beat me by 2 years and my Life is about the Same as your Dad!
the Only Car I still have is My 50 Merc.

Just my 3.5 cents

Live Learn & die a Fool

 

Thanks. My dad turns 100 in May. He never really understood my love of cars but he did have a '51 Ford woodie that he talks about to this day. He's in a retirement home on lock down so no birthday party until after this crap is done with.

 

Have a Happy One "Pops"

 

Happy 87th to your dad, from this 81 y.o. Your pic's. show he has had a truly wonderful time with our hobby in his time. My wish for him on this day is that he continue to live and enjoy what this hobby can give to him for as long as he can.

 

Good on you for posting! Happy Birthday to your Pops!

My Dad used to race at Highland, Belleville, Alton and a couple more near E. St Louis that I can't remember the names of right now.

Dave

 

To your Pop

 

Good on your Dad! Happy Birthday.

 

Hope he has a great birthday and many many more!! And a FED guy too boot!!! Lippy

 

What a bunch of great pics . Where was this one of the grain bins beside a dragstrip?

 

Your dad sounds like a great guy, give him my best wishes for a Happy Birthday.
What was the Garlits-Russell connection, did Don have any skin in the game? That was a good looking car with an injected W motor too!

 

Good for him!!---------I'm on the way yo 88!!

 

Just something about a stripped down dragster that I love, especially seeing the bare girder frame. He has obviously been there and done that! Looks like he's lived life by the tail! How bout some pics of the galaxie?

 

Happy Birthday, Mr. Russell


Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Wish your Pop's a Happy Birthday from all of us, sounds like he accomplished much in his life and raise a good son, you are blessed to still have your dad around.

With the pandemic give him a call. HRP

 

Mike Happy Birthday to your Pops and Awesome pictures and just so cool

 

Have a GREAT birthday Mr. Russell. I'm just about there if covid-19 don't get me first.
We oughta start an octogenarian club .

 

Happy Birthday, Sir. And many more to come.

 

Happy birthday mate. Great total car guy. Enjoy you day.

 

Lippy, I THINK(?) this is at Assumption Illinois. It’s a weird angle looking back away from the track though. If it showed the tower or track I could be certain. They had a nice tower there. Dad ran mostly in Illinois and some in Iowa though and I Know it isnt Havana and doesn’t look like Beardstown to me either.

 

Happy Birthday to your Dad. Cherish every moment with him. Lost my Father 6 years ago. Got my love of cars from him. I miss all his hotrod stories from the 50s/60s even though some might have been BS.

 

Happy Birthday to your pops. That smile is something special.

 

its Got 22,000 original miles on it. I snuck it out once when I was 16. It had 17,000 on it then that was 40 years ago.

 

Ask your Dad if he ever ran at Tri-State in Kahoka, MO. My Dad ran there in 60 & 61. He was from Iowa.

 

Happy birthday to your Pops! Sounds like a cool guy.

 

Happy Birthday. Keep the right foot down.

 

Wishing your " POP " a very happy birthday ! Marilyn says howdy as well !

 

Happy Birthday To Your Pops....
Enjoy !!