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

BIG CAR RACING CHRONICLES Jan – Feb – March 2009

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

, To the Big Car Racing Association Hall of Fame weekend is scheduled for Friday Welcome th Newsletter. Photo Journalist and High Banks Hall of June 26 at 6PM at the Smith Collection of Famer Jerry Miller spices the newsletter with his American Speed. Tours will follow. The museum account of the 2009 Chili Bowl and the Victor, has a regular tour at 2 PM members are able to Sammy Swindell. Just this past Summer I approached attend and be the at the front entrance at 2PM. Sammy at Belleville about that weekend in Colorado On track will be at Eagle Raceway on Saturday in 77’. Swindell was the last Champion of the BCRA with a static display before hand, more on this but was never awarded a trophy. We have been in event in the future. search of a suitable 70’s vintage style trophy for the Unidentifed picture received has been ID’ed as last four years and to no avail, If anyone has any ideas let us know as we are planning to make such a presentation to this great American driver this Summer. Sincere regards to the Roy Bryant family with the passing of this two time BCRA Champ at Wichita Kansas( Pg 3). Speedway continues to grow with dynamic new displays in the Roger MCluskey- Hank Henry built “Tamale Wagon” and Bruce Brommes “Andy Gump”. The Saldana roadster is home after being restored by Mark Randol and John Layne in Kansas City. The Hall of Fame induction process is under way with finalists in Burt and Burty Blanot, , Mirl Amarillo Texas Speed Bowl, with #99 Harold Leep, #65 Barnett, Ray Lee Goodwin, Jerry Schumaker, Jerry Miller ,#12 Funderburk,#42 Don Maxwelll, #30 Walt Mcwhorter, Ralph Parkinson, Tom Davey, Clay Loetscher Foster Campbell, Keith Hightshoe, Chuck Meet BCRA fan “Trip” of Kansas City. Trip is seen Kidwell, Bill Robison, Unser family, Larry Clark, here vacationing in Texas this past Winter in his Thad Dosher, Ed French. Gene Pastor, Earl favorite hat which helps ward off the hot Texas Sun. Kouba, Rich Blaney, Davey Ross, Steve Troxell, Rumor has it Trip was named after the great Sleepy Joe Saldana, Buddy Taylor and Dick Sutcliff. Trip but another source close to the German Short Owners Pius Selenke, Pete Forshee, Larry Hair Pointer reveals he got his name as he loves to go Swanson, Ed Smith, the team of Gary Swenson on trips and never seems to get tired (Con’t pg 2) and Charlie Williams and Colorado’s Curt Table of Contents Stockwell . Officials Mearle Holbrook, Art Meyers Page 1 Welcome and Mechanic Jack Kline. Page 2 Eddie McVay, GWolfe Page 3 Farewell to Roy Bryant, R.Cunningham If you would like to nominate any driver, Owner, Page 4 new exhibits to the Smith Collection Mechanic or Official for induction send Page 5 new exhibits continued information to the address on the back of the Page 6 “Summer of 69’” by R Cunningham Newsletter or e-mail to [email protected] or Page 7 “ Summer of 69” (Con’t) [email protected]. Page 8 Ascot Park, JC Agajanian jr Page 9 Tom and Jerry Page 10 Tom and Jerry (Con’t)

his continued success gained him a sponsor in the B1 Bottling Company. He chauffeured the “Lemon-Lime Soda” Midget to many successful outings on the circuit before buying his first Offy in the Jimmy Campbell #5 in 1948 and with McVay alterations, finished seventh in the Kansas City Midget Auto Racing Association. McVay would win his first Feature in 1951 at Olympic Stadium. In 1952 McVay would purchase his second Offy, the Crist #20 and brought home another Feature win at Riverside and in 53’ he added another Feature to the growing list while outrunning the field at “Flying Saucer Speedway” at Platte City Mo. Eddie then built his own Chassis, using the same motor, and in 54’ McVay assaulted the area Speedways with a July 4th His owner (former BCRA Champ)wonders if “Trip” win at Marshall and two late season victories at doesn’t get tired or doesn’t trust his driving. Riverside yielded a runnerup spot in the final Boyd Adams forwards the news of the end of an era KCMARA standings behind Jud Larson. In 55’ he in Arizona with the Manzanita track closed(April 11) began traveling the country to race and making his and leveled (April 14). presence known in the ranks of the IMCA, USAC and NASCAR. BCRA member Eddie McVay, He built a new Midget in 57’ and the number G Wolfe 84 Offy stormed the midget ranks winning races at Born in 1922 at Kansas City, Eddie was one of Hutchinson Ks, Olympic Stadium, Ord Ne, the four children. Eddie attended school in both Kansas NASCAR races in Orlando Fl, Islip Ny(500 lapper), City and Independence and as a child young McVay Chicago O’Hara stadium and Minneapolis Raceway suffered from osteomylitis, a degenerative bone Park. Back home in Kansas City he took the Jack disease. During the war Eddie had dealt in used race Cunningham Offy to Feature wins at Topeka cars, refurbishing and selling them. After the war he Raceway Park and Savannah Mo. In August of 57’ had a couple of cars he had not been able to sell so in McVay would again take two Feature wins at 1946 he took them to the track for people to see. Savannah driving his own #84 and ended the season Eddie hired Ray Hall to drive that night and when 2nd in points while running with the Midget greats like Hall later moved to the Haggart Ford 60, McVay Jud Larson, Bob Slater, Bill Chenault and fellow donned an old plastic helmet and took the wheel in Kansas City veteran Vito Calia. his first Midget competition at Olympic Stadium. Eddie ran the tracks in Denver starting in 1955 Eddie first changed the # 100 on the v-8 60 to # 84 running with the MHRA,TENSPEC, RMMRA and in and recently explained this was the year his granddad 57’ made the Mile High scene towing with a Rambler was born (1884)and he helped him get started in station wagon on his way to the West coast. Here he welding and racing. The young man’s welding once again made his presence known at Englewood expertise soon became recognized by many in the and Lakeside running with top Midget aces including area including Tom Randol, IMCA competitor and Jimmy Lamanna, Foster Campbell, Earl Kouba and owner of the very successful Randol Excavating Grier Manning . Back in Colorado again in 61” he Offy, with all welding repairs done by Eddie. ran away from the competition at Greeley Co and McVay ran the remainder of the 46’ season with before leaving town succumbed to an impressive his pre-war Midget and his success warranted the offer and sold his car to John Hollansworth and Vern purchase of another Midget found in St Joe Mo along Shaver. It was later sold to a Phoenix buyer and when with a set of heads, a cam and lifters acquired from he came to pick up the car he had driver Gene Brown good friend, Cotton Fasoni. With the addition of a dry in tow and he proceeded to win the next Feature at sump system he engaged the Midget circuit in 47’ and Lakeside. Warren Hamilton of Denver later brought

2 the Midget back from Arizona and Dick Taylor would dash which he won and followed it with a Fast Heat own it before trading it to Ron Schleiger. While in win and in the Feature, once again starting at the rear, Colorado McVay also drove the Al Bozarth Chevy 11 he passed the field twice on his way to his third to a good finish at Colorado Springs in a “Night victory that day. before the Hill Climb” USAC event. Eddie McVay would race coast to coast and from With a new MCVay built Midget In 1959, Eddie’s Canada to Texas for nearly three decades and raced success continued as he won the 100 lapper at home everything from the old Elto’s, Drakes, Offy’s to the on the Olympic Stadium oval and finished fifth in Chevy’s. He drove sprints for years with IMCA , points.(future BCRA competitor Roger Lane was BCRA, and a 220 Offy for Lyle Hyneman on the Champion). 1960 yielded two more Feature victories USAC. For a time he drove the old Granatelli built with the KCMARA and a fourth in points with Bill “Hotel Tropicana” sprinter for Billy Roberts. Burdick the Champion. During this season McVay Nicknamed “Little Roberts” , “It was wore out, would win the last of the prestigious NASCAR everything kept falling off it”. He remembers the Midget Championships while competing against some Sloan Chrysler Hemi powered Sprinter, “ motor was of the greatest drivers to ever run in the U.S. Midget too heavy and it was hard to drive through the ranks. corners but down the chute, it ran like a jack rabbit”. McVay worked in the family Blacksmith shop, In the late 1940’s a group of Auto Racing built in 1834 and his expertise as a Machinist and enthusiasts including McVay formed welder yielded Chassis’s with McVay rear ends, “CARB”(Central Auto Racing Boosters) at Kansas suspension components and , on his last car, a unique City Missouri. This organization has honored Racing system of adjusting weight and height as fuel was competitors for over fifty years in the region and dispensed and for changes in track conditions. “You McVay was formally honored for his contributions to could jack yourself into, or out of a race real quick if Auto Racing in 2008. you didn’t know what you were doin”. His last Kansas City continues to expand and in 2005 the Midget had a unique fuel system with custom wrap 184 year old McVay family shop located on Truman around type fuel tanks in the tail and the drivers Road under the old 15thstreet viaduct and near the compartment with a 34 gallon capacity, “It was a tight entrance to Olympic Stadium, was sold. fit in the cockpit,” he added but worked well in the Eddie designed and built his present home in 1962 many 100 and 500 lap races McVay ran with made complete with a welding and machine shop NASCAR and KCMARA. It was in such races that where at 85, he works daily collecting and repairing McVay became known for his endurance and old clocks and machining Antique race car parts for perseverance and it is noteworthy that at 50 years of old friends. age he ran the, “Always Turning”, 500 lap “Little Farewell to Roy Bryant 500” at Anderson Indiana, before there was power By R. Cunningham steering. (Editors Note: On February 8Th of this year, open wheel racing When asked about his most memorable race lost one of the great competitors of the 1960's and 70's when Eddie was quick to respond with a weekend Roy Bryant of Wichita, Kansas passed away at age 71. ) Wichita, Kansas is known for many things including beginning in Western Nebraska around 1967(Maybe being the original home of Cessna, and Pizza Hut. McCook). After the event his pit crew headed to the Wichita is also know for being the home of some of next scheduled stop at Chicago’s O’Hara(Schiller the best super modified and sprint car drivers of the Park) oval as Eddie towed East down Highway 30. As 1950's, 60's and 70's. Drivers that included Harold he neared Omaha it became apparent he could not Leep, Jay Woodside, Dale Reed, Frankie Lies, Grady make the O’Hara event and without his pit crew he Wade, Walt McWhorter, and Jerry Stone won stopped at Council Bluff’s and old friend Otto Ramer. numerous races and championships during this golden With a race scheduled that evening he and Otto towed era of sprint car and super modified racing in the to the track where Eddie asked the Officials what a heartland. Racing clubs like the IMCA, BCRA, and “Clean Sweep “ would pay? After the laughing died the NCRA became the stomping grounds for these down Otto and McVay unloaded the car and he set Wichita greats. fast time. They had an inverted start on the trophy

3 Roy Bryant, who started his racing career in the jalopy ranks at tracks that included Wichita's 81 Speedway in 1956, would become one of very best racers from this cowtown in South Central Kansas. In the early 1960's the biggest race in modified racing in the heartland was conducted every July at the half mile oval at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, Kansas. The top modified stars from a six state region would come to Hutch, to test their skills in a race that lasted 50 laps in conditions that often saw the weather reach into the 90's and sometimes 100 degrees. With the competition and the track conditions often being very tough, winning this race was always looked upon as a major achievement. Roy Bryant was the only driver to win this race three straight years, in 1963, 1964 and 1965. After his third win in a row, Roy decided a new challenge was in order. Veteran Wichita racer Harvey Shane had successfully campaigned Red Forshee's #84 sprinter, winning two BCRA races at Holyoke, Colorado in 1964, and Belleville, Kansas in 1965. When Harvey vacated the ride, Red went looking for a replacement, to drive his winning mount. Roy Bryant had never raced a sprint car in his career, when Red asked him to drive at Belleville at fair time in 1965. Belleville, lightning fast and one of the most notorious race tracks in the history of dirt track racing would be a interesting venue for a rookie driver. Bryant was not the least be intimated, and won his first sprint car race in BCRA competition beating drivers that included Dale Reed, Grady Wade and Lloyd Beckman. He followed it up by winning at Belleville three more times over the next two years, while taking the BCRA Championship in 1967 and 1968 and finishing second in 1966.------In the 1970's after a successful run in the BCRA and IMCA, Roy returned to his roots, winning the super modified championship at 81 Speedway in 1975, and the NCRA 50 lapper at Hutchinson, in 1978, for his record breaking 4Th Hutch win.

Speedway Motors The Collection of American Speed at Speedway Motors continues to expand with the following additions. Thanks to Bob Mays for the recent tour.

“Lil” Joe’s Roadster returns home to Speedway Motors

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Bruce Bromme’s “Andy Gump” on display at SPDWY Morales Bros “Tamale Wagon” on display SPDWY

5 Summer of 69’ Marion County Fairgrounds in Knoxville, were two by Ray Cunningham of the fastest and most dangerous in the In the summer of 1969 I had my ninth birthday, most region. Other venues that raced super modifieds children my age probably envisioned a trip to Disney weekly (in most cases a sprint car with a roll cage) Land, or a big birthday party with pony rides and a included the 3/8's Gage County Fairgrounds in clown. Though I thought Disney Land was cool, and Beatrice, Nebraska on Saturday and Eagle Raceway always enjoyed birthday cake and clowns for that on Sunday. One of the most unique tracks to race matter. My summer seemed like a big birthday party super modifieds on a weekly basis was Olympic for me, without any of those things happening. Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Several weekends that summer my family would Olympic, originally a baseball field, was turned into take off on Friday afternoon after work and hit the one of the best midget race tracks in America in the race tracks of the heartland for races on Friday, 1930's. The race track which measured just under 1/4 Saturday and Sunday nights, before returning mile, became a hot bed for for super home for work on Monday morning. Though I'm sure modified racing in the 1960's. Other venues that my parents were tired on Monday, by Friday they raced super modifieds weekly in Missouri included were ready to go again! the brand new high banked paved 1/2 mile oval at These trips involved a very fast ride on Friday Odessa (I-70 Speedway), Sportsman Speedway, in afternoon from Hutchinson, Kansas, our home, to Marshall, and Capital Speedway in Holts Summit, Topeka (about 175 miles from Hutch) in about 2 Missouri. hours 25 minutes. We would usually scream into the With so many good race tracks, cars, and drivers, the parking lot, run to the grandstand, and make it just in competition in Heartland super modified racing was time for the start of the first race. After the races exceptional. Several stars from that season are now were over, we would go to Kansas City to spend the enshrined in several racing halls. From the Kansas City area Dick Sutcliffe, Ray Lee Goodwin, Jay Woodside, Eddie Leavitt, and Bill Utz all competed that season and are now members of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame.

Jon Backlund in the Dick Gorum #13 night. On Saturday we would head up road to Knoxville, Iowa for races that evening. Sunday we would be back in Kansas City for more racing and would head back to Hutch in the wee hours of Monday morning. You might ask after reading this, what the hell was such a big deal, that a middle aged man, and his family would make this trip several times that summer, the simple answer is, incredible racing! In 1969 Super Modified racing was at its peak in the From the Lincoln area, Lloyd Beckman,Joe Saldana, Heartland. Tracks that included the half mile ovals at and Roger Rager all competed that season and are the Mid America Fairgrounds in Topeka, and the enshrined.

6 From the Knoxville area, rim rider Earl Wagner him was winning at Topeka on Friday, Knoxville, on made the hall last year. From the BCRA Hall Of Saturday and Olympic on Sunday. Fame, champions Jon Backlund, and Lonnie Jensen were regulars in 1969 super modified racing in the Williams earlier in his career drove for region. Taylor "Pappy" Weld, the duo was good everywhere the ran, especially Olympic Stadium. In 1967 they even went down to Amarillo, Texas, and won the Southwest Championship for supers. Late in 1968, Bob teamed up with veteran Jack Cunningham, who for several years was a top midget car owner, providing the midget that Bob Tattersall drove to his first USAC victory in 1957.

Roger Abbott, Lincoln; Jan Opperman, Lincoln;Ken Gritz, Lincoln; Bob Williams, Independence Mo; Thad Dosher, Topeka Ks. With so many great drivers competing that season, the racing was always exciting. At the Knoxville Nationals in August, a 25 year old racer from Lincoln, Kenny Gritz was victorious, beating Jan Opperman and "Tiger" Bob Williams to the checkered flag. (Gritz unfortunately would loose his “Tiger” Bob Williams and Jack Cunningham life 16 days later in a IMCA race in Lincoln) In the summer of "69" this duo could not be beat, they won five races at Knoxville, seven at Olympic, and many more at tracks across the Heartland. "Tiger" Bob was track champion at Topeka, Knoxville, and Olympic Stadium. As good as his season was, it could have been better. In June, Williams was leading the feature event at Topeka, when his brother Ken was involved in accident on the front stretch. Bob turned his ride over to Thad Dosher, to go with his older brother to the hospital. unfortunately the former Topeka track champion succumbed to his injuries.After his brothers death, Bob took several weeks off from racing. Kansas City Great, Dick Sutcliff The Williams & Cunningham team was so dominate that summer, the time he took off, was still Bob Williams of Independence, Missouri was the not enough for his competitors to catch him at best of the best in 1969. Driving for Jack Topeka, Knoxville, and Olympic. Cunningham in his #14 super, Bob dominated, he 40 years later many of these tracks are just won everywhere he raced. A typical weekend for

7 a memory. Topeka was torn down in the 1980's, to pretty tuff & unceremoniously threw us out. We left, but I make room for the Topeka Expo Center. Marshall, had seen an location, near that same area, but on the become a field again for farming. Olympic Stadium outside, that had chain link fencing with the automatic 10 became a junk yard in the 1970's, and recently, ft gate that was left open. We went there & set up for the Odessa (I-70) was closed and Capital Speedway shoot. From there we were able to cover a lot of the Ascot story on tape see most of the property. We got most of was torn down. what we needed, shooting through the chain link & using The memories from a childhood full of great the property & palm trees as a back drop. The property races, people, and cars, will last a life time, looks pretty good, is very clean, & is just COVERED with and will always remind me of the summer of "69". cars waiting for auction. It's well kept.The property is very valuable & unlike other tracks, was waiting for the best Email of interest, thanks to Jerry Miller and Harley Martin use for the property..... but remember Bruce, it used to partially be a land fill so no high rise buildings. From the With Manzy selling out this week it seems Ascot has flag stand to near the back billboards was fill. That along been a topic of discussion lately, every time I am in LA I with the LA River behind it, the DG & the Clay we used, always drive by and look at the old (only some of the dirt came from the cemetery across the place..... really good story here from a close friend in the street) & the deep watering, gave us a tacky surface that know from CA, lasted all night, didn't break up, & could pull your shoes Jay Agajanian.....Shane off your feet! We left our concealed location & tried to finish the Subj: Ascot History interview in front of the offices where the main entrance Hi Shane,I don't know if I sent this to you either, stairs used to be. That's when the guy on the fork lift It's kind of an interesting story & came about when a fan appeared again & said we had to get off the property & in Texas asked what had happened to the property..... finish from the public sidewalk. He asked who the heck Bruce Walkup forwarded the fan question to we were & when I told him, everything changed! He used me.Does anyone know what the place where Ascot once to come to the races & rode moto-cross there. He thought stood looks like today?Last I heard it was still a vacant lot. we were doing a piece on water damaged cars being sold Jim Myers, Dallas, TX to the public illegally from Kartina & had thrown some Hi Bruce, reporters out a couple of weeks ago. I should have said I was just at Ascot (the property) the other day. I got a something before but didn't want to be pushy! Least of all, call that a guy wanted to do a documentary & asked if I I should have told him I was a friend of Bruce Walkup, the could be interviewed about the track & the Glory Days of famous Indiana Champion, Indy Car Driver for Aggie in JC & JC Agajanian's Ascot. I told the guy that an Ol #98, Open wheel racer & King of Ascot. He might have interesting place to do the interview would be at the track bought me lunch! ha ha. We ended up finishing the itself. He agreed & our plan was to sneak in & do the interview from the old Agajanian Enterprises Offices with interview from where the actual track used to be. me telling the rest of the story from my dad's desk. It really The property is now one of the largest Auto Auction was a pretty cool, & very eventful day. Did I tell you too Locations (to the industry only, no public) in Calif. It has much my friend? I thought you might enjoy the story. a very nice 10 ft colored block wall across the front with Please forward this to Jim Myers.Thanks, JC Agajanian Jr the main offices, & it's planted with some palm trees as well. Nice touch. The rest of the 39 acres is surrounded by a 12 ft fence with barbed wire on top. With 1,000s of cars on property the place is very secure. There is a large metal bld on property with tall doors to run the cars thru in long lines to sell. The grounds are mostly asphalt with some cement areas & some packed dirt. My plan was to walk through the offices (like I knew what I was doing) & into the yard with the camera man behind me & shoot from turn 1 looking back at the press box area where their offices are now. We got to about where you used to set up for the 1st turn, a VERY large forklift (the kind you move cars around with

(from the front)appeared with a guy driving that seemed Another view of the , “Tamale Wagon”

8 Holbrook was one of those. Mearl got his start in racing as a driver after WW11 but soon found his

Once upon a time a young man climbed into the seat of a Big Car Sprinter and won a race.You want more? Oh,OK… The time was 1977. The place was George Butland’s wonderful old Colorado National Raceway. The car was the Bobby Davis Electric Special and the driver was Sammy Swindell. Still not enough for you? Right! That race was the final scheduled race of the BCRA and by virtue of winning it Sammy became the Swindell makes a “Clean Sweep” of the 2009 Chli Bowl last BCRA Champion! This is a fact not generally niche in the Public Relations and Officiating ranks. know by Swindell’s legion of fans, (or a lot of other He was an early member of the Pike’s Peak Hillclimb people either.) Of course he’s gone on to fame and Association and did much of their PR work. The fortune in the World of Outlaws and other racing “Climb to The Clouds” was, in fact, his great love and ventures but technically you could say that his roots he was involved in one way or another with the Peak are in the BCRA. for the rest of his life.

Swindell at 22 in the Bobby Davis Electric sprinter Erie Co 77’

He became active in the BCRA at the beginning and And just to prove that he hasn’t lost his touch after in 1963 became assistant Pit Steward, rising to the thirty-two years, he showed up at this year’s Chili post of Chief Steward in 1967. During the 1970’s he Bowl in a machine that he helped to design and build moved to Oklahoma City where he became active in and cleaned house! Won every race he entered the old NCRA group until he moved back to Pueblo, including the first ever Race of Champions, heat Colorado. And, as if he wasn’t busy enough he was races, Pre-lims and the Feature Event! Hell, he even also an active writer for National Speed Sport News won hot-laps! While we were on the subject of things for many years, and was still covering the Hill Climb and people that have been overlooked over the years at the time of his death. an old friend came to mind. Not all those that made Mearl was a large friendly man, with a voice to the BCRA what it was were drivers. There were a lot match; if he was in the room you knew it, but he of people behind the scenes that didn’t get their share knew his racing and the one thing That infuriated of the Glory sometimes…and we think Mearl him more than any other was someone who

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Old Friend and Mississippi Valley Vintage Ramrod Ned Fry(63 yrs young), 09 Chili Bowl

pretended to be a racer. One of his lines we will never forget was when he encountered one of those “wannabes”. “That dumb SOB,”said Mearl,” Don’t know a Jacob’s ladder from a step-ladder!” A truck driver by trade he retired at the age of 50…and spent the rest of his life chasing race cars. Literally! In his later years his legs gave out on him so he obtained one of those little tiny motor scooters…and we mean tiny! As we said Mearl was a big man…and he got bigger. At times, when he would race through the pits on that mini-scooter it looked as if he were floating in the air…in a sitting position! He died of heart failure at the age of 71, in Pueblo, Colorado on July 10,1966 and his ashes were scattered, at his request, to the four winds from the BCRA member and Midget competitor, Joe Boyles of top of Pikes Peak. Mearl Holbrook 1925-1996 R.I.P. Greenwood Mo, Chili Bowl 09

Big Car Racing Assoc…. 306 Montrose Ave Bertrand, Nebraska 68927

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The Hahn legend continues with the Chris Clark Modified

Idaho Falls ,Idaho 2008.

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