Fifty years ago in
1958 it was the final event to be run on the old beach-road course in
Daytona Beach. Bill France Sr. had a vision for a vast super speedway
and it would become a reality one-year later when the 2-1/2 mile high
banked Daytona International Speedway would be completed and run its
first event. On the beach it was Paul Goldsmith taking the poll position
for the 49 car-starting field. Goldsmith toured the 4.1 mile circuit at
140.570 mph. Jim Thompson was second fastest with Cotton Owens, Eddie
Pagen and Lee Petty making up the top five.
Forty five years ago in 1963, Marvin Panch, the driver
of the famous Wood Brothers No.21 was testing a prototype Maserati when
he lost control and flipped. The car caught fire and had it not been for
the efforts of a group of spectators that included Ernie Gahan, Eddie
Flemke and southern driver Dwane “Tiny” Lund Panch would have burned up
in the fire. The group pulled him from the inferno and saved his life.
From his hospital bed Panch requested that the Wood Brothers put Lund in
his place to drive in the up-coming Daytona 500. The were 62 cars on
hand for time trials and coming out on top was Glen “Fireball” Roberts
who took the pole with a speed of 160.943 mph. Fred Lorenzen was second
fastest.
Forty years ago in 1968, Cale Yarborough was the pole
sitter for the Daytona 500 with a speed of 189.222 mph. Richard Petty
was second fastest. Rounding out the top five were LeeRoy Yarbrough,
David Pearson and Tiny Lund. During the pre-qualifying inspection
process a Chevrolet Chevelle entered by Smokey Yunick came under extreme
close scrutiny. Inspectors had a list of ten items for Yunick to fix
before his car would be allowed to qualify. After removing the gas tank
Yunick got so mad that he jumped in the car and drove off saying, “you
may as well make it eleven”. Yunick drove the car, without a gas tank,
off the speedway grounds and never returned.
Thirty five years ago in 1973, Buddy Baker was the top
qualifier for the Daytona 500 with a speed of 185.622 mph. Pete
Hamilton, a former competitor in New England and New York who is now an
inductee in the NEAR Hall of Fame, took the outside pole. Hamilton is
also a former Daytona 500 winner as he won the NASCAR Classic in 1970
driving a Petty Team car. Cale Yarborough, CoCo Marlin and Gordon
Johncock rounded out the top five.
Thirty years ago in 1978, the northeast was crippled
with a blizzard that dumped up to six feet of snow in some spots and
closed down all roads including I-95 in Rhode Island for over a week.
Among those affected were Len Boehler and his driver; Fred
DeSarro.Boehler was forced to go from his home in Freetown, MA to
Springfield before heading south. DeSarro, who lived close to exit 2 in
RI rode a snowmobile to Connecticut before joining up with his traveling
crew and heading south. The New Smyrna World Series took the green on
Friday night for a scheduled ten night series. Richie Evans took the
opening night 25 lapper over Geoff Bodine, George Kent, Jerry Cook and
Charlie Jarzombek. Twenty-four Modifieds were on hand for the opener.
Evans made it two for two as he repeated on Saturday night. Bodine was
again second with Jarzombek, third. Bobby Allison and Ronnie Bouchard
rounded out the top five. Bodine finally broke into the winners circle
on Sunday night after Evans dropped out with engine problems. Jarzombek
finished second with Kent, Bouchard and Fred DeSarro rounding out the
top five. Evans regained his winning form on Monday night as he beat out
Jarzombek for the top spot in the 25-lap feature. George Kent finished
third with Bouchard and Bodine rounding out the top five. Bodine bounced
back to take the Tuesday night feature. Evans slipped to third as
Bouchard put the Bob Judkins 2x in the second spot. Jarzombek finished
fourth and Bugsy Stevens broke into the top five.
Twenty five ears ago in 1983, Greg Sacks; fresh off
his dream season where he won just about everything in site, was the
opening night winner at New Smyrna. Kenny Bouchard led the opening laps
with George Kent taking over on lap 2. Kent led until lap 17 when he
lost an engine. Richie Evans finished second with Reggie Ruggerio, Jamie
Tomaino and Rick Fuller rounding out the top five. Saturday night racing
was canceled because of rain. The rain carried over to Sunday and forced
the Daytona Speedway to re-schedule Daytona 500 qualifying to Monday.
Because of wet conditions the Sunday night event got a late start.
Richie Evans took the win over George Kent and Sacks. Tomaino finished
fourth with Bouchard rounding out the top five. Cale Yarborough set a
new record at Daytona on Monday when he toured the 2-1/2 mile oval at
200.503 MPH. Yarborough was even faster on his second lap when he
flipped in turn four. The record stood but the pole position was denied
because of the fact that he failed to complete the second lap. Ricky
Rudd was the eventual pole sitter with a speed of 198.864 MPH. Geoff
Bodine was second fastest with a speed of 197.920 MPH. Neil Bonnett won
the Busch Clash. Evans made it two in a row at New Smyrna as he took the
win on Monday night. George Kent ended up second after Reggie Ruggerio
lost a tire on the last lap. Doug Hewitt finished third with Jamie
Tomaino and Tony Hirshman rounding out the top five. Greg Sacks broke
out a new car after he wrecked his primary entry and finished sixth in
the final run-down. The Ernie Wilsberg crew repaired their old car as
Sacks went out and won the Tuesday night feature by a bumper over Reggie
Ruggerio and Richie Evans. Doug Hewitt and Mike Mclaughlin rounded out
the top five.
Twenty years ago in 1988, opening night for the World
Series at New Smyrna rained out. Tom Baldwin was the Saturday night
winner. Bobby Fuller finished second. Jim Spencer, Reggie Ruggerio and
their crews were thrown out and disqualified after a brawl. Ken Schrader
was the Daytona 500 pole sitter but the big story was the fact that Tim
Richmond was suspended because of the fact that he tested True Positive
in a NASCAR mandated drug test. Little did anyone at the time know but
Richmond was suffering from AIDS, which would eventually claim his life.
Davey Allison was the outside pole qualifier for the Daytona 500 with a
speed of 193.311 MPH. Dale Earnhardt won the Busch Clash over Davey and
Bobby Allison. Baldwin and Fuller finished one-two again on Sunday night
at New Smyrna. After two disappointing nights Reggie Ruggerio put the
Mario Fiore No.44 in victory lane. Baldwin settled for second with Tony
Jankowiac, third. Ruggerio made it two in a row as he took the victory
on Tuesday night. Bruce D'Assandro in a Fiore back up, finished second.
Fifteen years ago in 1993, Steve Park, in the Joe
Brady No.00 was the opening night winner at New Smyrna. Bruce Del
finished second and was followed by Ed Kennedy, Richie Gallup and George
Savory. Mike Ewanitsko led the early going until getting hit by Tom
Baldwin. The resulting tangle also collected Rick Fuller. Rain prevailed
at New Smyrna on Saturday night. On Sunday at the Daytona Speedway 47
cars attempted to qualify for the Daytona 500. Kyle Petty took the pole
with a speed of 189.426 MPH. Dale Jarrett was second fastest. Dale
Earnhardt won both halves of the Busch Clash. Ricky Fuller avoided a
nine-car wreck to take down the win on Sunday night at New Smyrna. Bob
Park made his presence known as he finished second. Steve Park finished
third. Tuesday night saw rain wash out another night of racing.
Ten years ago in 1998 rain washed out opening night at
New Smyrna. Mike Ewanitsko served notice of his title intentions as he
took the win on Saturday over Jamie Tomaino, Ted Christopher, Eric Beers
and George Bock. In Daytona 500 qualifying 55 cars were on hand. Bob
Labonte took the pole with a speed of 192.415 MPH. Brother Terry was
second fastest at 192.917. Ted Christopher put the Bear Motorsports
entry in victory lane on Sunday night. Doug French finished second with
Tim Arre, third. Christopher made it two in a row as he went pole to
pole on Monday night. Jamie Tomaino finished second with Mike Ewanitsko,
third. Christopher continued his winning streak on Tuesday as he again
went pole to pole to take another win. Ewanitsko finished second with
Jan Leaty, third.
Five years ago in 2003, it was learned that John
Falconi Jr. had passed away in January as a result of cancer. A
pre-speedweeks announcement stated that Winston Cup driver Rick Mast had
retired because of carbon monoxide poisoning. Another hot item was the
fact that Brett Bodine’s wife Diane was arrested and extradited to
Georgia to face charges of making harassing phone calls to a Hooters
girl she alleged was having an affair with her husband.
On a sad note, the returning space shuttle blew up over Texas
with all people aboard killed.
The New Smyrna World Series opened with 23 cars on hand. Ted Christopher
and Ed Flemke Jr. were the class of the field as they finished one-two,
a half lap ahead of third place finisher Rob Summers. Doug Meservy and
Donnie Lia rounded out the top five. The Busch Clash at Daytona and the
World Series went head to head on Saturday night. At New Smyrna,
Christopher made it two in a row despite taking a rock through his
radiator in the closing laps. George Kent finished second with Tim Arre
third. Mike Finch and Flemke rounded out the top five. In the Busch
Clash at Daytona, Dale Earnhardt Jr. came from first to last to take the
win over Jeff Gordon. Gordon had other things on his mind as his
estranged wife served summonses to various car owners for their
financial records.
The big news in NASCAR land was the fact that RJ Reynolds
indicated that they were thinking about ending their Winston sponsorship
of NASCAR’s premier division. Daytona 500 qualifying on Sunday afternoon
and round three of the World Series at New Smyrna on Sunday night was
rained out. Daytona 500 qualifying was re-scheduled to Monday. Jeff
Green took the pole with Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the outside pole. The
Modifieds had Monday night off.
Last year, 2007, the engines started in New
Smyrna, Fla. for the 41st annual World Series of Asphalt Racing last
Friday night. Clear weather and temperatures in the 70’s greeted both
fans and competitors. Twenty-one Tour Type Modifieds and 15 SK Type
Modifieds were on hand. In the Tour Type 25 lap feature Eric Beers and
Don Lia led the charge at the green. As the field entered turn one Ted
Christopher spun, triggering a scramble that collected Jim Storace and
Earl Paules. Christopher was able to
restart at the tail end of the field. With Beers and Lia still on the
point a second start was attempted. Bob Grigas spun in turn one,
bringing out the second caution. Another spin made restart No. 3 a bust.
Out of desperation Modified Chief Steward made the decision to start the
field single file. With one lap on record Bob Holmes brought out the
caution after hitting the wall in turn 2. One more caution, on lap 19
for a minor spin slowed the field. At the finish Eric Beers, who went
pole to pole was the winner. John Blewett III finished second with Andy
Seuss, third. Ted Christopher rebounded from his first lap skirmish to
finish fourth. Don Lia rounded out the top five. Jimmy Blewett was the
SK Type Modified winner.
The newly paved speedway saw elapsed times getting much
faster as competitors toured the half-mile oval in the 16-second
bracket. Joey Logano made his Tour Type Modified debut in practice. He
got into the wall during practice and was not able to take time for
qualifying James Civali is driving a second Joe Brady machine renumbered
the #80. Mike Andrews is also back in the driver’s seat, driving the
Bear Motorsports #14. Ryan Preece has also shown up at the track in the
#40. Eric Beers was the fastest in Tour Type Modified time trials for
the second night in a row when he blistered the half mile oval in16.526
seconds. John Blewett III was second fastest with Earl Paules, third.
The first five tour type cars broke the track record. Twenty-two Tour
Type Modifieds were on hand. Donny Lia and Eric Beers led the field down
for the start. Just as the field completed the first lap Ryan Preece hit
the wall in turn 2 and went along the outside wall for a few yards. Mike
Andrews in the Bear Motorsports #14 hit the wall in between turn 3 and
4.Lia led the restart with Beers in tow. On lap five Ted Christopher
brought out the caution when he tried to go under Andy Seuss between
turns three and four. Both cars hit the wall a ton! As the field went
under red both cars were double hooked off the track to the pits. Lia
continued to lead Beers on the lap 5 restart.
Chuck Hossfeld had moved into third with John Blewett III,
fourth with Jimmy Blewett rounding out the top five. Caution No.3 flew
on lap 10 for debris on the track. Beers applied the heat to Lia but to
no avail. Hossfeld began to fade as the Blewett brothers passed him. Bob
Grigas brought out caution No. 4 when he spun in turn four. He drove
away. On the restart Butch and Shelly Perry got together as well as
Bobby Holmes and James Civali. Once again, with seven laps remaining,
the field restarted with Lia on the point followed in single file by
Beers. On lap 20 Jimmy Blewett ran out of patience and in a bonsai move
shot by Beers. John Blewett followed. At the finish it was Don Lia by
four car lengths over Jimmy Blewett, John Blewett III, Eric Beers, Zach
Sylvester and Chuck Hossfeld. After two nights it appears that only a
chosen few can handle the increased speeds at New Smyrna. Jimmy Blewett
made it two for two in the SK Type Modifieds.
The Modifieds had Sunday night off.
The Daytona International Speedway shifted into high
gear with the running of the Busch Clash on Saturday night. Stewart
nudged Kyle Busch out of the lead with eight laps to go, then calmly
drove to his third victory in the all-star event when runner-up David
Gilliland never challenged. Busch, who needed a huge save to keep his
car off the wall, finished seventh and seemed certain that Stewart made
at least slight contact. As Stewart closed in on the finish line, Dale
Earnhardt Jr ran into the back of Elliott Sadler to start a four-car
pileup far from the leaders that collected defending race winner Denny
Hamlin and Greg Biffle. David Gilliland and Ricky Rudd won the top two
starting spots Sunday in qualifying for the Daytona 500. Gilliland
turned a lap of 186.320 mph to win the pole, and Rudd was right behind
at 185.609. Sixty-one cars attempted to qualify.
This week, here are some vintage racing photos from
vintagemodifieds.com.
These former drivers and over 60 more are expected at New Smyrna
Speedway, Friday February 15th for Florida's First Modified Reunion. For
more information and a complete roster of drivers log onto
www.modifiedreunion.homestead.com.
Tom Ormsby
Jerry Dostie
Ray Miller
Bob Krollage
Leo Cleary
Billy Harman
Ronnie Wyckoff
Ron Bouchard
Joe Trudreau
Ring my chimes at 401-596-5467 E-mail:
smithpe_97_97@yahoo.com
The Chrome Horn
'Looking Back with Phil Smith' Archive
THE END
Source:
Phil Smith/Courtesy of Tom Ormsby and
thespeedwaylinereport.com
Posted:
February 8, 2008 |
