Big Car Racing Association & Hall of Fame, LLC BCRA ESTABLISHED 1958, COLORADO SPRINGS CO th (50 Anniversary 1958 - 2008 )

BIG CAR RACING CHRONICLES July August September 2011

Bcra Staff: Dave Tyson(Mo) Ray Cunningham(Ks), Boyd Adams(Tx), Bruce Budy(C0), Jerry Miller(Tx), Tom Davey(Co), Wayne Panter(Tx), Gary Wolfe(Ne)

Welcome……. The trip to Lincoln on Thursday was an would be racing but he braved the flooded central plains to interesting one as the phone rang with inquiries of the attend and accept for Don. Thad Dosher of Topeka Ks upcoming weekend. The flooding along the Missouri and came up through the ranks of Kansas racing to win an Mississippi and their tributaries, left a lot of unanswered IMCA and Knoxville Nationals title and traveled from his questions about the road conditions along the way West. home in North Carolina to attend and visit old friends Checking in at the Days Inn and Suites the registry showed including BCRAHOF’er and Champ car owner Gary a number of the reserved rooms had been taken and the Swenson of Lincoln. It appears Thad, Ray Lee Goodwin Arizona racing legends in Larry and father Alvin Clark and Jerry Richert were the only drivers to win these two were already in town. titles in history. Thanks to Larry Swanson who received for The next morning a conversation outside my Hotel room good friend and top wrench Wayne House of Lincoln who door with a passerby, revealed Larry Clark was right above was unable to attend because of health issues. House us on the second floor and his door was open. I hollered up wrenched for some of the best ever including Swanson and and got a reply from Larry and turned back to my room and Roger Rager, when he went to INDY. Roger appears in hollered at Ray Cunningham to “wake up, Larry Clark is in great competitive form and is looking for a quality ride for town”. Cunningham soon appeared in his scivvies, gave a the upcoming season in Minnesota. The Rager history goes rousing welcome and it wasn’t long before we headed to back some 60 years with Roger’s father Bob starting the breakfast and found Colorado legend, Grier Manning. tradition and Roger acquired this passion. He worked his Grier was sitting at a booth near the counter. I had not seen way through many obstacles on his way to the Brickyard, Grier in three years and we struck up a conversation where I becoming the focus of attention at the event as he lead the learned the 84 year old had driven up from the Springs race for a time, under the power of a Nebraska school bus through the night, arriving at Breakfast time in the 1970 motor built by House. In his acceptance speech Roger Mercury, which looked like it just came off the show room remembered those who helped along the way including floor…It was later in the day that Grier’s son Ken and wife House and Bill Smith ending with, “I Love you guys”. Ann arrived from Abilene Ks. Later I went to the room, the Junior Parkinson arrived at the event and we had a dog snuck out the door and as I was leaving I saw the mutt rousing reunion with Junior having not seen him since the was in the middle of the parking lot and had made some new Non-wing series and CARB reunion at Lakeside the friends which turned out to be Roger Rager and Susan ,who previous year. He reminisced his career with the had steered Sandy out of harms way in the parking lot. BCRA,IMCA, USAC and of father Ralph Sr. They were the At 6PM we all began to gather inside the museum for the only father son team to win features with the club. Jr has a ceremony. A call from Keith Barker informed us his starter son Chris who has engaged the sport for sometime now. had went out on the pickup but he was repaired and back on Diane and Isadore Lucero arrived from Denver and it is the road, scheduled to arrive 30 minutes later than planned. always a privilege to meet with these two remarkable During the ceremony Bill Smith took the Mic and the people, the daughter and son-in-law of BCRAHOF opportunity to tell a story or two on some of the inductees inductee, Clarence Froid. Clarence was one of the work including Roger Rager when he took us all back to the day horse supporters of the early BCRA and remained active Roger made his attempt to complete a full throttle lap at the throughout the clubs tenure in the Midwest. He and Isadore Knoxville Iowa track. His attack on the oval ended in the would continue to work the RMMRA shows in the area for fence but the colorful account brought laughter from the many years and the Lucero family continues in the Midgets crowd and a big smile from Roger and Susan. to this day. Out of Topeka Ks came the Bill Robison troup The BCRA Inductees were from coast to coast. Californian as half the town must of followed Bill to Lincoln for the Don Brown took his place in the Hall of Fame not only as a Induction ceremony. An unverified report had Topeka driver and car owner with the BCRA but one of the most closed at noon so everyone could get to Lincoln, again this talented fabricators the sport ever knew. Many thanks to report was not verified but there was evidence at hand. Bill Keith Barker who traveled over from Iowa to accept for continues in competition to this day and enjoys a great fan Don. Keith had two IRL teams at Newton Iowa where they following in the area. Some say two of the best wrecks they ever seen were Bill Robison in the Charlie Jones Trostle at the track in Ray Kochs wire wheeled sprinter and was voted Lincoln in ’74 and Larry Clark at the killer El Centro Ca “Rookie of the year”. He would go on to assemble and print track in ’83, both made national headlines and both a newspaper in the Golden Newspaper Office on racing in survived! Larry and Linda Clark came to Lincoln and the area and his work has become prized publications by the brought another racing legend in Clarks father Alvin. 60’s racers. Bruce was an educator, teaching in the Denver Matriarch Doris Clark, was unable to make the trip for area for nearly 30 yrs, is an ardent Sailor on the lakes of the health reasons. Larry set the Southwest and Midwest ovals region and still follows racing on occasion. on fire for a time driving for Alvin, Burt McMurray and a With the reformation of the BCRA in 2004, Bruce became BCRA Championship for Frank Marcello in 1976. He ran involved in the process with stories, photos and attendance Sprints ,Midgets and Modifieds before a career ending at the meetings held in Denver. Bruce provided an amazing injury at El Centro. Don Holbrook made the trip from insight into the operation of such an endeavor which has Denver with Jim Bredenberg(V.P of the RMMRA)and been instrumental in the success the BCRA, and now BCRA Gene Kruback of Aurora Ne. Jim and Gene also serve as Hall of Fame, which we have all enjoyed. Congratulations selectors for the BCRA Hall of Fame. Don’s father Mearle to Bruce Budy of Denver . gw Holbrook was another who gave heart and soul to the BCRA. Holbrook consistently displayed a new brand of dedication to the club and his contributions to the BCRA and Pikes Peak Hill Climb set a new standard indeed. Bill Hill and Ruby would arrive at the Museum and Bill delivered a very eloquent acceptance speech at the induction ceremony. Bill’s contribution to Midget racing is immeasurable across the heartland. His polished countenance graced the Mic’s of many associations and venues across the region but Hill’s later accomplishments in the Publications he presented the racing world, have become standard equipment in every racers library. It was great to see Bill and Ruby and congratulations…and thanks.. to a Midwest racing Icon.

As the time drew near and no Keith Barker, JD Cormack Four of the top drivers in the country in the 70’s in (left to right) most graciously accepted the Microphone and entertained One of only three, IMCA and Knoxville National champs, in Thad the crowd with Kansas City racing and the National Sprint Dosher. Topeka’s Billy Robison a champ still in competition, BCRA Car Hall of Fame at Knoxville Ia. A most interesting Champ K.C.’s Jon Backlund and BCRA Multi Arizona Champ, Larry presentation which ended just as Rich met Keith at the front Clark of Toleson Az door. During his acceptance for Don Brown we were all reminded of Don’s extensive racing history beginning at the Dry Lakes in a Novi owned by Lou Welch. He became one of the best fabricators ever in the sport and would finish his career at Indy working with the likes of AJ Watson with his last project in the restoration of the Randol Excavating Offy. The remainder of the evening included tours of the Museum and bench racing along the way. Many had engaged the 2PM tour but were back again to get one more look at this collection of American Racing history as collected by Bill Smith, and many believe this institution is the focal point of American Racing. Many thanks to the Speedway crew, Lance, Rich, Bob Mays, John Mackichan and Bill and Joyce

Smith for opening the doors, once again to the Big Car Midwest Racing Icon, Grier Manning and son Ken at Speedway Racing Association and Hall of Fame. 2011 Don Budy memorial Award…. The Sprint Car Division, also known as "Thunder and Lighting" returns to the Kansas Was awarded to Don’s son Bruce Budy of Denver. Bruce traveled to many races in his younger days with Don and City Area at Valley Speedway. Since 1956 when with the formation of the BCRA became involved with the USAC took over for AAA to sanction big time Sprint drivers and owners from the beginning. In 1960 Bruce took Car racing, USAC has a had a presence at the local

2 Kansas City area tracks. USAC last came to Kansas Over the years the USAC Sprinters raced again on I-70 City in 2001 to race a double header with the midgets when it was dirt in the early 1980's, and on the at Lakeside Speedway in conjunction with the IRL's pavement in the 1990's. The same thing happened at first race at Kansas Speedway. the new Lakeside in the 1990's when it was first paved, and then later became a dirt track. A who's who of open cockpit legends won during that time in KC, including, Jeff Swindell, Sheldon Kinser, Steve Butler, Eric Gordon, Gene Lee Gibson, , and at I-70 in 1995. Tony won that race on his way to winning the triple crown that season, (Sprints, midgets, and dirt cars) in USAC competition, becoming the first driver ever to win all three in the same season. The last two winners on the dirt at Lakeside in 2001 were Tony Elliott, and a young and upcoming star J.J. Yeley. USAC has several outstanding drivers this season, and one will put his name in the record books alongside the greats of the past.

The gang at Lincoln’s Red Fox Restaurant, Great people and atmosphere

The United States Auto Club Sprint Car Division, also known as "Thunder and Lighting" returns to the Kansas City Area at Valley Speedway. Since 1956 when USAC took over for AAA to sanction big time Sprint Car racing, USAC has a had a presence at the local Kansas City area tracks. USAC last came to Kansas City in 2001 to race a double header with the midgets at Lakeside Speedway in conjunction with the IRL's first race at Kansas Speedway. In 1963 USAC made its first of four appearances at the old Lakeside Speedway, in Kansas City, Kansas. That first race was won by Don Branson in the Leader Card Sprinter. After a year lay off former Kansas City resident "Joltin" Jud Larson won the second race in A.J Watson's Offy. In 1966, Belleville, Illinois Arnie Knepper won aboard the Wergland Special. The race in 1967 would be a special race for Kansas Bill Smith, who has raced every major venue in the country during his City area fans as 23 year old Greg Weld would win at career in the sport, addresses the crowd at the BCRA Hall of Fame ceremony. It was a special evening indeed! Lakeside in the Dunseth Chevy. Weld would go on to win the USAC Sprint Car title later that year. The next season KC would score another win as local driver Carl Williams won in his sprint car. Lakeside would host one more USAC sprint car race at the track located on Leavenworth road in 1978 when Doug Wolfgang would win driving the Speedway Motors 4X. The USAC Sprint Cars also came to Odessa, Missouri in 1970 to race on the fast 1/2 mile paved oval. Defending USAC Sprint Champ would win that race driving for Willie Davis at I-70.

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Clarence Froid was represented by daughter Diane and son-in-law Isadore Lucero. Congratulations to one of Colorado’s great racing families. Mearle Holbrook’s son Don is shown receiving for his deceased father In Lincoln. Congratulations to the Holbrook family.

BCRA HOF inductee and car owner champ Larry Swanson of 2011 inductee Grier Manning of Colorado Springs has spent a lifetime in Lincoln receives for good friend Wayne House who was unable to attend. the sport of Auto Racing and is shown here receiving his well deserved plaque.

2011 Inductee Bill Robison receives his award at Lincoln half the population of Topeka Ks followed him up for the induction. Congrats to The Motorsports career of Bill Hill is most remarkable indeed, Bill Bill and the Topeka fans who made the trip. receives his award above and delivered a stirring acceptance speech.

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Nebraska native, Roger Rager receives his plaque after traveling down from Minnesota for the occasion. For all the fans out there, this guy went from the jalopies to the Indy 500. Another true racing hero! Ralph Parkinson of KC Mo enjoyed a stellar career on the BCRA, IMCA and USAC. Congratulations Junior!

2011 BCRA HOF Inductee North Carolina’s Thad Dosher, one of Indy’s Keith Barker receiving for California’s 2011 BCRAHOF three in history to win an IMCA title and the Knoxville Nationals. Don “Prince of Darkness” Brown

Arizona’s Larry Clark won a BCRA Championship and Multi Kansas City favorites in Bill Hill, JR Parkinson and NSCHOF’s JDCormack Arizona Championships in the Sprinters, Modifieds and Midgets!

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Colorado’s Isador Lucero spins thru the Joe’s Speed Shop course

Joe’s Speed Shop, Lincoln Nebraska Lincoln’s Joe Haag hosted the BCRAHOF at his Speed shop in South Lincoln and the event was attended by over forty members and families. Hot Rod rides and lunch was served by Joe’s Speed Shop and all were able to see the Swanson Chevy being restored to original condition by Joe. Joe has been around racing for decades in one form or another and has assembled a most interesting collection of memorabilia and cars for all to see and enjoy. I must admit to a bit of chicanery surrounding this event as last winter Joe built a Midget type vehicle resembling a racer . but got the steering components reversed, you know, you Ed Smith, Lincoln Nebraska think you are turning right but it goes left. This secret was Ray Cunningham well kept by a select group until this day as we had plans to When I mention Lincoln, Nebraska open wheel racing load Ray in the seat and have him navigate pylons set up as a in the 1960's and 1970's and talk about the racing road course and to spice up the action, he would be timed. As exploits of a race car owner named Smith, what is the fortunes go Ray had to return to Kansas City to work that your first thought? "Speedy" Bill Smith is the first evening and Jon Backlund became the next competitor. After Jon, nearly everyone on hand got to try the course and all answer always, and a great choice, but not the only enjoyed the fun. What a great idea Joe, everyone had a ball one. In 1966 a new Smith came into the open wheel and it’s your turn next year Ray! racing scene in Lincoln, his name was Ed, and his purple #44 racers were some of the best cars on the track during this time. In the days when sprint cars had life spans greater than a year, and some of the most successful cars were raced for decades competitively, Les Vaughn's Offy sprint car was one such car that was raced successfully for 3 decades! Vaughn of Omaha, Nebraska was one the top sprint car owners during the 1950's in IMCA big car racing. In the mid 1950's he had a beautiful new sprint car built for him. This car was numbered #24 and was raced most prominently by a up and coming Texan, A.J. Foyt Jr., who in less than two years would race for the first time in 1958 in the Indy 500.Foyt retired from racing four decades later in 1992 but not before winning 4 Indy 500's, while becoming the winningest BCRA Champ Jon Backlund took the wheel first and provided an interesting display of reverse steer road racing on the Haag course. driver in Indy Car racing history!

6 Driving for Vaughn in 1956, Foyt blazed through the raced the the 17 year old sprint car.A brand new Midlands, parlaying his success to rides in USAC sprinter joined the race team also in 1972. Bob Trostle midgets, and sprints in 1957. of Des Moines was the builder, and this car would help In 1966 Vaughn was retired from racing, and his pave the way to some of the most significant wins for famous sprinter had been sold a couple of times by the #44 team over the next several years. then, finally ending up in the hands of "Speedy" Bill The Trostle car debuted with another BCRA Hall of Smith, after being run for several years by the late Famer Roy Bryant behind the wheel in 1972. Later that Sonny Helms. Smith decided to sell the sprinter to Ed season Eddie Leavitt took the reigns winning the Smith (no relation)and the old sprinter had a new lease "Jayhawk Nationals" at the Topeka, fairgrounds in a on life with a first time owner.The sprint car in its wild dash to the finish. The new car also found victory present form was purple, and numbered 4x (a Bill lane at Knoxville, Iowa. Smith trademark), Ed Smith decided to get rid of The 1973 season was one of the best ever for Ed the X and add a second 4, making the car #44. Smith Smith's race team. Former Driver Lonnie Jensen kept this color scheme and number throughout his returned to drive for Smith, winning a early season career as a owner, and a new tradition was born for the short track race at Topeka Raceway Park. At Eagle Smith race team. Over the next several years Smith Raceway, the team won 3 features on the the way to would have two more #44 racers, and would have some the track championship. In BCRA action Ed Smith had of the finest drivers of the era race and win for him. been racing cars since 1966, with drivers that included In 1966 Smith tabbed local racer Keith Hightshoe to be Keith Hightshoe, Larry Upton, and Roy Bryant among his first driver. That first season the Smith team won others. Teamed with Jensen in the one year old Trostle, two races at Midwest Speedway in Lincoln. The next Smith would finally reach victory lane for the first time year Ed started the year with another BCRA Hall of in BCRA.The sight was Belleville, and veteran Lonnie Famer Lonnie Jensen behind the wheel. At mid-season Jensen was on a roll. In 1968, 69, 70, 71, and 1972, a change was made and Larry Upton took the reigns of Lonnie had won a BCRA race at the super fast the purple #44. The end result was two feature wins for Belleville Highbanks. In 1973 Jensen would win for a the team and the Midwest track championship, in sixth straight year at Belleville and the ETS Sprinter Lincoln. would join him at the victory podium. The purple #44 The 1968 season found both Hightshoe and Upton race team would also finish in the top 10 in BCRA behind the wheel of Ed's racer. The sprint/super was points for the 3RD straight season in1973. Over the prominently displayed on the cover of "Hot Rod" next several seasons many of the top drivers of the era magazine's issue that featured a article on heartland raced for Smith. In 1974, Roger Rager, Joe Saldana supermodified racing. After Upton drove the Smith car and Eddie Leavitt once again raced the ETS Sprinter.In in 1969, young star Roger Rager raced the former 1975 Leavitt started off the season by winning a early Vaughn sprinter for Smith in 1970. The 1970 season season feature at Midwest. As the season progressed also found drivers Roy McCain, Leon Lahodney, and Lloyd Beckman, Doug Wolfgang, and Gary Dunkle all "Big" Al Murie behind the wheel of Ed's #44. Murie drove the four year old Trostle. For the 1977 season the one the most colorful drivers of the era, raced the three ETS Team debuted a new Maxwell, with Don Maxwell decades old car to a "A" feature start in the Knoxville behind the wheel. Unfortunately this collaboration Nationals that season. didn't fair well and disbanded by mid-season. The "ETS" sprint car was driven in 1971 by Murie From 1978-1981 the race team went back to theTrostle once again, and racers Dan Holliman, Curt Waters, and built sprint car. In 1978 Gary Dunkle raced for Smith, David James. Smith had to rebuild the classic sprinter in 1979 Bill Robison took the wheel, and in 1980 Jack at mid-season, when Murie crashed after winning a B McCorkill, followed by Lonnie Jensen again in 1981. feature.One highlight for the Smith team that year was Serving as the pit crew for the #44, sons Ed Jr. and finishing 9Th place in the final point standings for Skip were key ingredients to the race teams success BCRA. during the three decades a purple #44 raced across the In 1972 the Vaughn car was raced by Larry Upton heartland. Son Skip is still in involved in racing, during the second half of the season. Upton finished making parts, and has recently placed the 39 year old 4Th in the final BCRA standings, while the ETS Sprint Trostle in the High Banks Hall Of Fame, in Belleville. team finished 5Th. This would be the last year Smith A fitting tribute to his Dad, and all the great drivers

7 that raced this historic sprinter, including BCRA Hall Tom was also passionate, caring, loyal, and energetic, Of Famer Lonnie Jensen who drove the Purple beauty among other things, for his love of his family, and his to his historic sixth BCRA win in 1973.Further number one hobby, racing. Over the years Tom wore many enhancing the memory of the other "Smith" race team hats in his business career, as well as being a father, and his that found glory racing sprint cars out of Nebraska involvement in racing.TD started racing in the 1950's in 3/4 Quarter Midgets, by 1958 Tom had become during the 1960's and 1970's.The Smith Family racing very competitive racing in the midgets in the RMMRA legacy continues today with the family owned purple ranks. Around this time Davey also became a reporter for #44midget. The "Fun Bunch Racing Team" is headed NSSN, with his own column, "Pit Notes From The by Skip, and includes his two boy's, along with driver Rockies", about racing in the Rocky Mountain region. This Don Droud Jr., whose dad also raced with the BCRA in column would later be taken over by Clarence Froid , and the 1970's. The #44 midget races across the Heartland, later Bill Hill. Tom also drove the big cars in the BCRA, just like the ETS Sprinter did decades before. and in 1960, finished in the top 10 in points driving for Loren “Slim” Roberts Lonnie Morosic in his Indy Style roadster.For the last thirty Once again the racing world suffers a great loss in Slim years Tom has attended every Belleville Midget Roberts. Many accolades surround this driver including the Nationals,with his partner Jerry Miller. Over time Tom heralded acclamation by many of his contemporaries, became known for his reporting of midget and sprint car ” Slim was the best Driver to never win the Pikes Peak Hill races with Jerry, and "The Tom and Jerry" articles that Climb” in Colorado. Slims 13 flip 300 foot tumble off the appeared in NSSN and Open Wheel magazine. Tom was road at “Devils Playground” is still a popular topic at the also a gentleman, and a friend to everyone he met at the yearly meeting of the “Over the Hill Gang” at Manitou racetrack……..RIP Tom, you were a great supporter of the Springs. Ask Slim and he would say ,“13 always was my BCRA Hall Of Fame, and you will be deeply missed lucky number”. His competition in the Colorado Auto Racing Circuit during the roadster days in the 40’s was the beginning of career that included ten Hill Climb runs, the last in ’65, and he was a charter member of the BCRA. In ’57 he joined a group of drivers and owners who traveled the area tracks and tested them for their suitability for the Big Cars. Roberts made few appearances on the BCRA as he was driving for Dick Frenzel at the Hill Climb but wherever the quiet, soft spoken” Pencil Salesman” showed up, you knew he was there to run! Tom Davey 1931-2011 Editors note: In our Holiday Issue we will have a full feature on Tom Davey, complete with many outstanding photo's taken during his epic career in racing. Race driver, writer, photojournalist, and racing historian,

Tom Davey passed away on October 12Th, 2011, due to Joe’s Speed Shop, Lincoln Ne complications from cancer and heart aliments at a Denver,

Colorado area hospital, Tom was inducted in the Belleville

High Banks Hall of Fame, and the BCRA Hall of Fame, during his illustrious career in racing. That would be the simple version of a racing icons passing, but hardly tells the story of Tom Davey.

Big Car Racing Assoc 306 Montrose Ave Bertrand Ne 68927

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