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

BIG CAR RACING CHRONICLES July- August- September 2008

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

WELCOME… Sunday breakfast was enjoyed by all before we parted company with Bruce Budy and myself heading to It has been nearly forty years since the last Open Belleville. First stop was the much heralded High Cockpit sprinters have taken the track.. Today when Banks oval as Budy reminisced his rookie season with these cars are static or on track I hear,”they used to race the BCRA before moving on to the old Goodrich shop these cars”? Yes indeed they “raced these cars” and what and the High Banks Museum. Here we were greeted by a time it was. After another exciting selection process, curator Bob Blazek. After a tour of the exhibits on hand the votes have been cast. Bruce headed back to Colorado via Norton and a The 2008 inductees include some of the best ever in night of racing. open wheel competition in the country and thanks to the During the Winter months BCRA History was selectors for their diligence at the process. assembled on four Murals each measuring 2ft by 4ft, At present there are over one hundred nominees for with nearly three hundred pictures and presented to the induction. If you have information on someone you Belleville High Banks Museum where they are now would like to submit for consideration please forward to being displayed. The format of the Pictorials are Ray Cunningham, [email protected] or myself, (1)1957-65’ & (2)1966-77’ photos of drivers and cars, [email protected] or (3) social events, banquets etc,(4) cars on various tracks. [email protected]. Copies of this set of murals, or individual panels, are Welcome to new member Willard King of Gardner soon to be available to club members. Kansas who will be at Beatrice with his Sprinter. This The Goodrich garage got a partial facelift with new ex-Sports car driver knows Speed and Safety while in paint and lettering now adorning this historic garage. It the seat and is an excellent addition to the BCRA. has been proposed to add logos of all clubs that ran the Mike Rausch from Phoenix recently moved to Hays High Banks be painted , in chronological order, on the Kansas bringing along the Hank Henry built Chuck front of the building. Picture on page 7 includes this Allen sprinter. Lot of history here and we are looking temporary layout of the logos. This project was devised forward to meeting Mike and the Henry in the near by BCRA members to potentially provide additional future. room for High Banks Museum expansion into this Many thanks to Lincoln host Joe Haag who held a historical location. Negotiations for an opportunity at reception for the BCRA at his museum and shop on Interior restoration is pending. Folsom street. Thirty guests enjoyed Lunch and tours of A stunning granite bench (pg 8) commemorating the Joe’s collection with a Model A racer, clubs history is also on display on the “Winners Circle” sprinter along with his Foyt replica roadster and the at the entrance to the High Banks Museum. More names Denny Oltman Sprinter. In addition, the will be added in the near future and we are soliciting pictorials and engine displays that adorned the shop donations to pay for this timeless monument to Big Car provided an interesting afternoon for the enthusiasts on History on the High Banks. At a cost of 1000.00 hand. contributions, whether 5.00 or 500.00, can be sent to the We all headed to Beatrice Speedway for the static return address on your newsletter to support the effort. display and on track at 3PM and we were greeted by the great Beatrice crew and the fans. Pictures were taken and Table of Contents all enjoyed a great lunch before we moved the cars to the Pg 1. Welcome pits. The cars were warmed up and staged for on track Pg 2. Tom and Jerry, Bumpus prt 3 Pg 3.Bumpus & Letter to the Ed by Bruce Budy exhibition as a wicked thunderstorm rolled out of the Pg 4 2008 BCRA Hall of Fame West inundating the area with rain and canceling the Pg 5. Photo Gallery Pg 6.photos, pg 7 photos, pg 8 photos races. We returned to Lincoln and the Red Fox and Pg 9. Emory Collins, Ray Cunningham closed out the evening with a great round of Bench Pg 10. Emory con’t, by Ray Cunningham racing, bringing another HOF weekend to an end. PG 11.Weld, and Belleville 2008(R. Cunningham) pg 12. Photos, pg 13 photos, pg 14. photos

Work in was interrupted with an unplanned Tom’s recollection of Al’s reaction. “Very nervous” is trip to Jackson Hole to visit Jack Hahn in the hospital Tom’s recollection of his reaction. followed by a trip to Idaho Falls and Atomic Id, for For years he badgered and begged and cajoled trying to some great modified racing. Pitting for Chris Clark and get a ride up the Peak…wearing out his helmet bag, and Rich Mueller of Jackson proved a great experience and his shoes until one day it happened! He hooked up with what super racing(in its third year in the region) at both a ride in one of Dick Frenzel’s monster Lincolns but, facilities. Jack was soon released and is back home before he could even turn a lap in practice, along came a dealing BJ fits. You know BJ had to pay for dinner on “hot dog” from Indy named Eddie Sachs, and bumped their first date when Jack forgot his wallet and he has him out of it. On race day Sachs got as far as, some say, tried to repay her for decades, but BJ refuses to Brown Bush and then hung the car in a tree. ( As Tom relinquish her leverage… what a great Lady. said, “Hell, I could have done that much!”) The legend Despite the criticism we have weathered from various has it that the last that was seen of the “Clown Prince” critics over the years we have maintained a strong focus he was walking off into the forest primeval…never again on the history of the Golden Years of the sport and will to be seen on Zeb’s mountain. continue to do so. The BCRA&HOF Club members We met in about 1959 or so and for many years we made have been busy as you can see and we will remain on the the trip to the Peak every year. There should be some leading edge of documenting and organizing Big Car stories about those days I think. We’ll speak of the day History and making it available to members, and …We Tom set an altitude record, and other hope all members will take ownership in this project. Harrowing adventures, so stay tuned. Once again, donations for the BCRA Memorial bench Some of you may remember that Mobil was a major can be forwarded to the address listed on your newsletter sponsor of the Hill Climb. Did you know that the Flying and thanks for your support. Also…It recently came to Red Horse was originally the trade- mark of the light that the BCRA ran more races on the High Banks Magnolia Oil Co. of Dallas? than any other Sprint club in its History. Unfinished Business…. won races at the “Roger Mauro Gold Cup Classic” at Erie Colorado in 1977, the last in the clubs history. He never received a Championship trophy for that season so we are looking for a trophy of that vintage and caliber to award the last Champion. Last but not least….. Thanks to Texan Jerry Miller for the great BCRA decals of Super quality now available. Get well Jon Baklund, Been “Kickin any Pigs lately” .GW

They merged with the old Socony-Vacuum Oil co. and that eventually became Mobil. Some years ago the Tom and Jerry (Continued) Magnolia bldg. was being renovated and the old horse (This is the column that, after Tom’s retirement, was was found, along with the machinery that made him picked up by Bill Hill and re-named Hill On Wheels.) rotate on top of the tower. Sadly he was too far gone in In later years, starting in the early 1980’s, he traded his decay to be rebuilt but…an artisan was found that knew pen for a camera and for the next 20 years or so he how to make those ancient signs and he made a new one provided NSSN with pictures of the event…and met a that is a dead copy of the original. So there he is, back in whole new cast of characters that we’ll talk about in his rightful place…and, wind and weather permitting, he these pages as time goes on. still gets around. But it was as an official with USAC that he had his most T&J (Thanks again to Tom Davey and Jerry Miller for this memorable day on the Hill. As the newest, and lowest timeless contribution to our newsletter). ranking, member of the officiating team he was given the unenviable task of telling (Sr.) that he had “Bumpy” Bumpus Prt III (continued) been dis-qualified… because he was three months shy of Through the wartime years Bumpus was employed as being old enough to compete! “Very understanding” is

A Machinist at the Charleston, Mass Navy shipyard. During New England racing historian Carl Swiegert offered this this time he acquired the Bagley McDowell (Mark Light Big account and tribute to Bumpus after being witness to a race Car)and a Do Hal Motor with intent to exchange motors, at Williams Grove during this season, “ It is easy to go with before selling the Hal to good friend Louie D’Amore and the flow—That happened to me in 1945 when I first seen running the McDowell. Bumpy Bumpus in action. Until this time Jimmy Wilburn of On Decoration day 1945 Bump was at Altamont for the Indianapolis in his Gold No. 39, 270 tall block Offy first three A race after the war, set fast time( sec faster than with stroker crank was literally, Blowing everybody he anyone) and topped the field cleanly in the Main event faced, Away…. It didn’t surprise me that Willburn was the outrunning Amos Hill, Fred Carpenter, Buster Warke and prohibited favorite. But… an unheralded New Englander Tommy Matson. On Sept 15 the Green County Fair race card proved to be the sensation of the day in Howard “Bumpy” drew top drivers in driving the Peter’s Miller, Bumpus at the wheel of the blue No. 5 McDowell(200 to , Bumpy , George Marshman, Eddie Gallione, Earl 210 cu in), wrenched by Johnny Lynch. This was the former Horn, Bob Sall and . John Bagley, Ted Nyquist, Mark Light machine that had Rain cast doubt over the fairgrounds that day before the sun gained quite a reputation through the years. It was like David came to the rescue and drying the clay track which was and Goliath. On this day Bumpus and his McDowell gave groomed before Holland won the first event followed by the great Willburn all he wanted as he pushed Willburn to Hinnershitz and Bob Sall. Bumpus led flag to flag in the 2nd the limits with his flawless driving and finished a close heat and Fran Sanford won the 3rd event. The Feature was second.” restarted four times with Holland eventually taking the lead Younger brother, Gordon Bumpus, used to sneak into the and reportedly turning the Miller over six grand while trying races and the officials could never catch the slippery rascal to stay ahead of Hinnershitz, Sall and Bumpus. in the pits. So… one night they stopped the races and over These four drivers were running at a terrific and the microphone asked for Gordon to come to the finish line lapped the field before Hinnershitz(driving the Ted Horn in front of the stands, which he reluctantly did. Here the Offy)made a mad charge at the leader before catching a rear track promoter produced an officials uniform in Gordons hub on the rail fence with the impact lifting the car on top of size, and presented it to the youth. This gesture by the the fence where it came to rest , nose on the track. Bumpus officials made it possible for the lad to be close to the action took over second behind Holland and was followed by Sall and his Hero, Bumpy. To be continued…… at the flag. With a return to Altamont and a crowd of 8000, Bumpus took second in his heat behind Amos Hill and he and Buster Warke thrilled the crowd at the finish of the feature. Bumpus started on the pole in the Colton HAL and led every lap with the main interest in the play for second as Fred Carpenter and Tommy Matson fought brutally for the runner-up spot, with the position changing nearly every straight. At Mile thirteen Warke, running fourth at the time, made a run at the leader passing two cars and finishing a close second to the Eastern Sprint Champ. Interesting to note that Phil Colton wanted to sell his D.O.Hal and asked Bump to drive the car in this race, and with great results. Colton soon sold the Hal and Sall drove the McDowell for Bumpy in his last race before leaving to start NASCAR with Bill France .

A young Gordon Bumpus in officials uniform awarded by the track officials

To the Editor Gary, I am enjoying the new issue of the BCRA Chronicles. Some great memories and a lot of new info. I have to comment on one error. The fellow in the white hat with Koch's #46 is not Ray, but in fact an even greater character, Lloyd Axel.

Bumpy Bumpus, Joe Sanco and Bill Holland

3 Spanish, and Fangio, despite his glorious days driving Maseratis, Alfas and Mercedes around the Gran Prix Circuits of the world, had little chance to learn midwestern American English. Obviously a translator was needed and Romey, who spoke Spanish as his mother tongue, was called upon to translate the details apt to be of interest between mechanic and driver at the world's most famous race. Here's the wonderful part, knowing all this, but never having met Romey, I was delighted to finally meet him a few months after they returned from Indy., the car having failed to qualify, either with Fangio, (who, according to rumor was most unimpressed by the brickyard), or with any other driver. Suddenly here I was hearing Romey speaking with a rather high pitched Spanish accented English. I barely heard what The picture was taken at Englewood Speedway south of he was saying as I realized what it might have been to Denver. It was a popular dirt track and held a lot of good hear those three locked in discussion of plug gaps and jet races, tho' mostly it presented stock cars and roadsters. sizes in a high pitched polyglot trio. The nite of the photo Lloyd, an acknowledged Offy expert, There is a photo of Axel kneeling beside the car in was looking after the car with another local engine expert, consultation with Fangio as he sits at the wheel. It is a fine shown at the right of the photo, I believe his name was photo, but if it had been a video including the conversation I George Romey...(don't rely on this too heavily, spelling is reckon it would have by now become a classic along with the only an approximation of what I recall hearing Abbott and Costello "Who's on First" routine. spoken.) Anyhow, the evening was most notable for a A picture is not always better than a thousand words.... moment when Lloyd, all intent on tuning the Offy during Bruce. practice, jumped into the car to test the latest 2008 BCRA Hall of Fame Inductees adjustment. Off he roared for a few laps tossing the brute The Big Car Racing Association Hall of Fame reached around with gusto. Remember this was a Championship another landmark with the 2008 induction ceremony held at length chassis among a field of sprinters..on a 1/3rd mile oval. It was not too long before horrified officials and Lincoln on June 20, 2008. bemused pit men noted Lloyd was out there wearing only the Top Feature winners, Journalist, and BCRA Champions white cap seen in the photo instead of the required helmet. adorn the class. When you look at feature wins, we have Of course we know now that the helmets of the era, and drivers that are amazing. No one can count how many races more especially the older helmet Lloyd had worn since dirt Lloyd Beckman, Jon Backlund or Harold Leep have won in was invented, were not much more effective than his white careers that spanned nearly five decades. Lonnie Jensen, Roy cap. But frantic arms were waved and flags tossed about Bryant and and “Braver Than Dick Tracy” Roy Walker, the until Lloyd was distracted from his test drive and safely back BCRA’s first champion, were FAST. in the pits. is a story that has been told again and again The scheduled driver, seen bent over listening intently to but it is hard to do justice for a competitor who raced coast Lloyd's counsel in the photo, was Bart Manley. If you look closely you will note Lloyd's cigar in his left hand. Watching to coast from the flattrack motorcycles to Indiannapolis. him tune a pair of carburetors while chomping a cigar was Chet Wilson indoctrinated the IMCA and BCRA with the always informative. It was a chance to Chevy V-8 in the famous “Offy Killer”. Colorado’s Eddie consider the difference between 270 cubic inches drawing Jackson won Championships with the RMMRA and the fuel towards spark plugs vs the practiced lungs of a 60 year BCRA. These competitors made their mark on racing history old mechanic inhaling fumes toward a glowing cigar. and did it with the BCRA as well as the IMCA,USAC and Seeing "Romey", in the picture brought on another great MVRA during the Golden Age of . memory. Both he and Lloyd were called to Indy one year to Les and Beryl Ward were the missing link in the 30’s. They try to get a local entry up to speed. At one point the team helped bring Photo- Journalism and Midwest racing to the was considering the legendary Juan Fangio to drive...or fan, and to a new level, as they unselfishly followed the Fangio was shopping around for a ride. He, of course was a circuits and were goodwill ambassadors from Kansas to the former Formula 1 Champion for a few years gone by, but not rest of the country. Before this couple followed their passion that big a deal at the brickyard, incredibly enough. Anyhow, Fangio was an Argentinian and spoke his native few had heard of Belleville Kansas and the Speedy Oval that Spanish in a rather high, squeaky voice, a huge surprise sleeps there until Spring when it challenged the top owners when coming from his muscular and very brave persona. and drivers to test their skills and machinery, and for nearly Lloyd, for his part, also had a midwestern twang which was a century now. most distinctive and relatively high pitched. Communication As the bios were prepared a universal theme was the was difficult between Axel and Fangio, as, despite his years Hallowed High Banks in Republic County Kansas on the dirt tracks of the midwest, Axel had learned no

4 where the BCRA made its home for 13 seasons and running 36 events, more than any other Sprint club to date...

Eddie Jackson in the Brockett Sprinter at Belleville 74’

“Outlaw”, Jan Opperman

Champ Roy Bryant and Owner Red Forshee

Carl Mishmash, driver Harold Leep and Chet Wilson

Chet Wilson and driver Gordon Woolley at Ok City, 65’ Two-Time Champ Lonnie Jensen and “Super” car owner- Larry Swanson

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71’ BCRA Champ Jon Backlund in one of the “Mechanical Rabbits”

Bill Hill, Berl Ward, Andy Anderson and Les Ward. 1974 awards banquet

Colorado’s Burt Blanot and driver Roy Walker, 1958 Champions.

New paint for the Goodrich Garage built in 1921, bought by Pop in 23’, and for the next six decades was a rest and repair facility for racers in Belleville. USAC Midget crews still pit here at the Nationals event.

Lloyd Beckman breaks 20 sec barrier at the High Banks Willie Hecke (Ne)in the Mighty Mouse Sprinter. Erie Co

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Bob Blazek accepting for Les and Berl Ward.

“Speedy”Bill Smith for “Outlaw” Jan Opperman

Jerry Wilson receiving for father Chet Cheryl (Beckman) Droud , for father Lloyd Beckman

1970 and 72’ BCRA Champ, Lonnie Jensen Ray Cunningham presents plaque to 71’ BCRA Champ, Jon Backlund

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Bruce Budy of Denver talked of the BCRA and President Don Budy Ray Cunningham and BCRA Hall of Fame inductee Roy Bryant

BCRA Memorial Bench in the “Winners Circle” at Belleville High Banks. Roy Bryant, Bill for Opp, Cheryl Droud for Lloyd, Jon Backlund, Lonnie (Plenty of Room for many more names in the future) Jensen, Bob Blazek for Les and Berl, Harry Ivers for Eddie Jackson.Not pictured: Jerry Wilson for Chet and Harold Leep

Nice tribute to Moe Beardmore BCRA competitor in 58’ and great friend to Midwest racing. Thanks to Garney Johnson of McMinnville Or. Harry Iver’s receiving for fellow “Coloradoan”, Eddie Jackson.

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Bill Holland: l to r: John Koenig, John Wereland, Don Hoenig, Thompson, Conn Speedway 1945 BCRA Beatrice Ne 2008. McGown, Haag, Barnett,Ivers and Dan Andre

Emory Collins display, Lemars Ray Cunningham and Sister Laura Rivera, Belleville 2008

Joie Chitwood in the Peter’s Offy, Thompson Conn 40’

9 up his mind he was going to be a professional race driver, he quit high school, and moved to the Midwest. Collins settled in Le Mars, and went to work for his Uncle Walt Collins at the "Gus Pech Foundry", owned by his uncle. A corner of the foundry became his workshop, and for almost 30 years, Emory would use the location as the hub forhis racing activities. Also during this time, J. Alex Sloan, the top promotor of the fair racing circuit (IMCA), signed Emory at age 18 to be a house driver. This relationship helped establish Emory in the racing world, but also gave him a job playing hockey for Sloan during the winter months.During this early period of his racing career, Emory drove a Fronty Ford for Sloan, winning at tracks that included Sioux City, were he beat Canadian mentor, the great IMCA Champ,Fred Horey. The 1930's brought the "Great Depression", but for Emory it was a time where his career was ascending to new heights. Collins now able to afford his own car, first a Frontenac, and then later one of the exotic Miller machines, wasa terror every place he raced. Against competition that

included good friend Gus Schrader of Cedar Rapids,Collins Emory Collins, King of the Dirt Tracks won several times in the early 30's. In 1936 he purchased a By Ray Cunningham Over the Memorial Holiday weekend I traveled with my 255 cubic inch motor, the first of its kind to wife to Le Mars, Iowa, home of Wells, "Blue Bunny" ice race in IMCA. With this car he won several races, including cream. Le Mars is also the former hometown of my in laws, a 50 lap event at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, where he was Clair and Beverly Gunther.) presented the winners trophy, by a young sportscaster, Clair and Beverly were my tour guides as we went all Ronald Reagan. over Le Mars, reliving their childhood memories, while Collins was a whiz with engines, and in the winter of finding out more about Emory Collins, who along with his 1938 he helped Fred Offenhauser and Leo Goosen develop wife Irene, were friends with Clair's parents. After visiting the 318 cubic inch Offy. This motor, which both Collins and the foundry, the town museum,(formerly the high school and Schrader would use extensively, was the top now the home of Emory's racing memorabilia),among other motor for several years in IMCA. 1938 also brought Emory places. I decided it was time to write about the racing career his first IMCA championship, out gunning rival Schrader, of Emory Collins, one of the greatest drivers in sprint car and Ben Shaw for the IMCA National Championship. racing history. Located in the Northwest corner of Iowa, just above Sioux City, and just below Sioux Falls, , Le Mars, Iowa is the Ice Cream Capitol of the World. In 1913, Fred Wells started his milk business with $250 dollar investment,today it is a multi-million dollar operation that produces more ice cream in one location than anyplace else in the world. In the early 1920's, another legendary figure made his home in Le Mars, Emory Collins, one of the greatest sprint car drivers of all time! Emory Collins was born in Sibley, Iowa in 1904. At age 3, the family packed up and moved to Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, where Emory spent his formative years. Collins was athletic at a early age, and became one Emory Collins ,Lemars Iowa of the best junior Canadian hockey players. Emory also Collins was great race driver, and mechanic, but he also was started working in a local garage at age nine, and developed very good at promotions as well. Emory made a deal with a love for all things mechanical. "Riverside Tires" among others to further his racing income. At age 17, Emory had already raced and won in his Emory negotiated appearance money with promotors, and family's car in Canada. From those early races, Collins made served as a agent for Gus Schrader, helping him with sponsors and promotors. Collins also appeared in the movie

10 "Indianapolis Speedway",starring Ann Sheridan during this the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame, The Belleville High time. Banks Hall of Fame,and the Iowa Racing Hall of Fame. One In 1941 Iowan Gus Schrader lost his life in a racing of his greatest honors came at the end of the last century accident at the State Fairgrounds on October when he was voted one of the 25 best sprint car drivers of all 22ND, and in 1942 a racing ban was put in affect for the rest time by National Speed Sport News! of World War II. During the war years, Emory stayed busy Emory Collins impact on sprint car racing in the first half by helping with the effort to combat the advantage the of the 20Th century is second to none, and he will always be Germans had in the air. Collins mechanical expertise was remembered as one of top pioneers in sprint car racing used to help make changes to the Rolls Royce engines in P- history! 51 Mustangs. Collins group helped the engines go faster and become more reliable.This led to Emory getting a citation Greg Weld from the war department for his engineering contribution. On August 4Th 2008 sprint car racing lost one of its After the ban on racing was lifted, the middle aged most legendary figures when Richard Gregory Alan racer was still at the top of his game. Armed with a new race Weld died from undisclosed complications. Better car for 1946, Collins went on a rampage. In '46, Collins won 23 races and the IMCA Championship, he repeated by known as "Greg", Weld born on April 3rd, 1944 in winning the championship again in '47 and '48 while Kansas City, started his racing career as a winning 45 times! In his last two seasons with IMCA in baby faced teenager in 1960. The son of Taylor 1948-49, Emory finished 2ND in points to Frank Luptow "Pappy" Weld (legendary super-modified car owner), both years, while winning 47 more features! and brother to racers Jerry, Kenny, and Ricky, Weld Though Gus Schrader's passing kept Emory without his was a contender almost from the start. At age 17 in chief rival before the war, the racing after World War II was 1961, Greg was a winner in the rough and tumble very competitive. Several top drivers of that era lost to super-modified ranks driving for his dad at tracks that Collins, including,Ben Musick, Deb Snyder, Bayless Levrett, included Olympic Stadium and Lakeside Speedway in Jimmy Wilburn, Bert Hellmueller, Bobby Grim, Clair Cotter, and Pete Folse. Emory won IMCA races all over the nation, including the states of , Kansas, Iowa, , South Dakota, , , , , , and . Collins also raced and won IMCA races in , and Regina in Canada. After the 1950 season the 46 year old driver retired from

Greg Weld built Champion Roadster Kansas City. 1963 was a break out year for Weld as the 19 year old driving a roadster styled super-modified was the top driver in the midlands. Greg won several races that year, and topped off his campaign with a track championship at Knoxville, Iowa and a win in the third annual "" over IMCA star Jerry Richert. For the 1964 season Greg continued his assault of the super-modified ranks, but also ventured into IMCA to race without a cage in sprint car competition. The results led to a 10Th place finish in points in IMCA, with two feature wins at

Active competition, but his impact on sprint car racing Eldon, Iowa and Sedalia, Missouri. What happened would be celebrated extensively over the coming years. next for the Kansas City youngster shocked the sprint Emory died on June 2ND, 1982 at the age of 77, but several car world! At Tampa, Florida in early 1965 Weld raced awards have come his way since, including membership into and won two more races with IMCA at the

11 Winternationals. In April, Greg turned 21 and a new place in USAC points. The "mechanical rabbit" owned goal captured the fancy of the rising superstar,Weld and driven by "Little Joe" Saldana was also very wanted to race, and beat the top drivers in the nation in successful, winning races across the midlands, and USAC Sprint Car competition. Long before the World taking a BCRA feature win at Belleville in 1969. This of Outlaws, USAC had the finest sprint car drivers in car was also driven in 1971 by Jon Backlund to the the world. In 1965, Jud Larson, Don Branson, A.J. BCRA title. During the 1960's and early 70's Greg also Foyt, , Bobby Unser, Roger McCluskey, drove several races in the Championship car division and , were just some of the drivers that Greg would have to beat to be successful in USAC. Weld was more than equal to the task as he won races at Reading, , and Indianapolis Raceway Park on his way to a second place points finish to "Lone Star J.R",Johnny Rutherford in his first season with USAC! The margin between Rutherford and Weld was just 2.5 points after 26 races, the closest finish in USAC Sprint Car Racing history! For the next five years Greg was a fixture in USAC Weld standing on the gas in his “Mechanical Rabbit”. Greg along with Don Brown and created three of these most revolutionary and Sprint Racing, winning 18 races and finishing in the formidable dirt and asphalt cars ever. top five in points 4 times. In 1967 Weld won the USAC Sprint title racing for Dr. Ward Dunseth and of USAC. Before the dirt cars split from the rear engined cars after the 1970 season, Greg earned 4 pole positions on the dirt in 1969, with a best finish of 4Th place in the last dirt race ever run in the championship car division in 1970 at Sacramento, . Also in 1970, Weld was the fastest of five rookies to make the field at the Indy 500, finishing 32ND after a burned piston sidelined him on lap 12. As the 1970's began, Greg started to slowly curtail his racing activity in favor of his company "Weld Wheels". Weld started this venture with $2,300 he had saved from race winnings, manufacturing 12 spoke- wheels for racing and street use. Over the years, Greg's manufacturing of wheels earned millions of dollars and

USAC Champ Greg Weld in the Ward Dunseth Chevy produced over 110,000 wheels a year for stock Paul Leffler, while winning 8 races at tracks that cars,sprint cars, drag cars, and trucks. In 1998 Greg included Terre Haute, Reading (twice), Granite City, was honored by his peers with his induction into the Salem, Lakeside, and the City Fairgrounds. "National Sprint Car Hall Of Fame" in Knoxville Iowa. One of the most unique sprint cars of all-time was Recently Weld's winning car from the 1963 Knoxville developed during this period by Weld, Don Brown and Nationals was reproduced, along with the restoration of in 1966. The "mechanical rabbits" as they his winning USAC championship sprint car from 1967. were dubbed, were roadster sprint cars that became Weld was predeceased in death by his father Taylor, three of the most competitive sprint cars to race on mother Ella,and brothers Jerry, and Kenny. Survivors both pavement and dirt in the history of sprint car include, sisters Delores Wesley and Marilyn Burasco, racing. Greg's version gave him fits the first year he brother Ricky, wife Deb, ex wife Marilyn, and drove it in 1966, leading to his only season that he children Christain, Taylor, and Brock, along with didn't win a race in USAC in the 1960's. However several grandchildren. when he came back to the car in 1968 after driving for Greg Weld was successful in everything he tried in Dunseth in 1967, the results were much better. That racing, and a true champion! season after getting out the bugs that had previously plagued him, Greg won four races and finished third

12 BELLEVILLE, 2008 former drivers, Eddie McVay, Joe Saldana, and Jerry Midget week in Nebraska and Kansas brought together Shumaker (who were all inducted into > the High Banks several BCRA regulars for racing, and bench racing. On Hall of Fame class of 2008)and drivers Roy Bryant, Harold August 1st in Belleville, Kansas several BCRA supporters Leep, Ralph Parkinson, Ray Lee Goodwin, Frank gathered at the downtown pool hall for lunch and the Brennfoerder, and Jon Backlund.Former owners at the opportunity to honor Tom Davey of Denver, Colorado. ceremony included Bill Smith, Keith Barker, and Jim Davey the 2008 "Don Budy" award winner was unable to Selenke, son of owner Pius, who was also inducted at attend the BCRA Hall of Fame induction ceremony in June, Belleville this year. After the induction ceremony Harold so the gathering in Belleville was the perfect setting to give Leep met up with us and donated one of his driving Tom his award. Many BCRA supporters were at the lunch, uniforms to the BCRA Hall of Fame. including Tom's son Mike, Jerry "G.T." Miller, Gary Wolfe, A stop over to the "High Banks" museum on highway "81" Boyd Adams, and Gene Pastor, among others. was also a good time. Former BCRA hot shoe David After the hardware was delivered, many in the group went "Davey" Ross was found admiring the new BCRA Murals to the Goodrich Machine Shop for pictures and a tour inside that are featured inside the museum. Outside in the the famous building which was built in 1921. new victory circle, granite bench's honored some of For over 60 years the Goodrich Machine Shop was the hub the great names in Belleville High Banks history. The of racing activity in Belleville. The Goodrich family led by BCRA is well represented by the granite bench that honors long time president "Don Budy" and the BCRA which ran 36 races at Belleville from 1965 to 1976.

Tom Davey and Ray Cunningham father Fred better known as "Pop" and sons Ray, Bob, and Charles (Buzz), raced several versions of the "Belle of Belleville" out of this shop, including , track Dan (in the seat) and Dave McGown with the Bob Slater car. Jan roadsters, and sprint cars. Opperman once won the Hawkeye Futurity in this car for Speedy Bill. At the racetrack former BCRA Champion Sammy Swindell was found in the pits dialing in son Kevin's midget. Kevin showed the apple doesn't fall to far from the tree as he put on the best performance at the 31st Annual Belleville Midget Nationals, coming from 19Th to 2ND in the championship feature before blowing a tire.

Tom Davey in front of the Goodrich Garage mid 80’s

News out of Belleville is that the street the Goodrich Shop is located on maybe changed to "Goodrich Avenue". This would be a fitting tribute to the family that was a fixture in Belleville and the BCRA for several years. BCRA Alumni were also found at the "High Banks Hall of Fame" induction ceremony at Belleville High. Attending that function were Museum of American Speed with Joe Haag roadster and Oltman Sprinter

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Joe in the Denny Oltman Sprinter, beautifully restored to the Haag

For the ladies out there: Rowena Chavez, Modified driver from Idaho ran colors. second in points on the tough western circuit before blowing a motor late season.

Jim Gessford Sprinter , CARB reunion Lakeside Speedway, KC Mo. 08 Ivers Chevy Beatrice 2008

Big Car Racing Association and Hall of Fame 306 Montrose Ave, Bertrand Ne 68927

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