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Forum: Racing From The Past (go)
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Topic: PHOTOS: 50's Sprint Cars Photos (some of the greatest on the site). Email this topic to a friend | Subscribe to this TopicReport this Topic to Moderator
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Racing From The Past
MyWebsite
September 13, 2011 at 09:09:15 PM
Joined: 12/04/2004
Posts: 2303
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Great stuff Ray. You were a walking talking racing encyclopedia when you were a young fan. With age it has only gotten better. I did get the photos of the Hutch Fairgrounds. It is only time until it is probably gone and some kind of convention center is in its place. Hutch really doesn't have a modern one. Did I really just say that. I don't believe they built a track a the new Nebraska State Fairgrounds?


Warren Vincent
Cans 4 Kansas Heroes

bushwacker
September 14, 2011 at 08:11:48 AM
Joined: 02/18/2006
Posts: 198
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Reply to:
Posted By: racee14 on September 13 2011 at 01:07:59 AM

 

Chet's sprint car was Black for the first and only time in 1956. If you look on the side you

will see the "Mighty Mouse" cartoon character. Frankie Lies nicknamed the car after driving

the stretched midget sprinter in 1953. In 1956 Chet would race this car for the first time

with his newly developed Chevy Sprint Car motor. Chet with Walt at the controls won

at Belleville during the fair in IMCA competition. This victory was significant because

it was the first victory in IMCA for a Chevy. By 1963 the Chevy power plant would

be the dominant engine in sprint car racing, a title it still holds today, 55 years after

Chet's win at Belleville. Learn more about the incredible racing accomplishments

by Wilson, and his son Jerry in the upcoming book

"The Offy Killer" Chet Wilson - The Man Behind the Legend

which will be published this fall for release by Christmas by Chet's daughter

Donna Wilson.

 



i ordered the book last week, can't wait to read it.



racee14
MyWebsite
September 14, 2011 at 07:16:45 PM
Joined: 09/08/2011
Posts: 148
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Reply to:
Posted By: Racing From The Past on September 13 2011 at 09:09:15 PM

Great stuff Ray. You were a walking talking racing encyclopedia when you were a young fan. With age it has only gotten better. I did get the photos of the Hutch Fairgrounds. It is only time until it is probably gone and some kind of convention center is in its place. Hutch really doesn't have a modern one. Did I really just say that. I don't believe they built a track a the new Nebraska State Fairgrounds?



 

 

Warren,

I believe when C. Ray retires, that will be the end of racing at the fairgrounds.

When I printed the pictures, it almost looked like a ghost track, kind of eerie.

Its to bad, I guess thats progress, not the kind I like though. At the new Nebraska

State Fairgrounds, I believe there is not a racetrack at present time. Heres to hoping

that will change overtime.

 

Ray C




ronzalfa
January 06, 2012 at 03:39:56 PM
Joined: 01/06/2012
Posts: 2
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Hello all. As a newcomer to this forum, I must say how much it is appreciated! I read with interest the posting with the history on the Les Vaughn car. I am curious about him and his racing history. Can you all shed some light on his cars, big cars and midgets? Where did they come from, end up, drivers, etc? Any photos? Thanks again for this site, looking forward to learning from you...Regards, Ron



sparkplug
MyWebsite
January 06, 2012 at 04:48:17 PM
Joined: 07/14/2011
Posts: 36
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Posted By: Racing From The Past on May 03 2007 at 06:15:12 PM

Belleville, KS Memorial weekend 1957. I'm not sure pitting next to the track would be allowed now days. Notice the goal post. Even in the very beginning the track was a baseball field and the original grandstands were right behind home plate.

Photo #RC13

Another photo contributed by Ray Cunningham.



I played football on that field in 1960 Clyde vs Belleville I played for Clyde Bluejay`s .

 



racee14
MyWebsite
January 07, 2012 at 01:58:47 PM
Joined: 09/08/2011
Posts: 148
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Reply to:
Posted By: ronzalfa on January 06 2012 at 03:39:56 PM

Hello all. As a newcomer to this forum, I must say how much it is appreciated! I read with interest the posting with the history on the Les Vaughn car. I am curious about him and his racing history. Can you all shed some light on his cars, big cars and midgets? Where did they come from, end up, drivers, etc? Any photos? Thanks again for this site, looking forward to learning from you...Regards, Ron



 

Les Vaughn operated a Garage in Omaha, Nebraska. He had a two car race team in the 1950's, this car that you

see pictured with A.J. Foyt, and a second car that was #25. Both cars were Offy powered. In 1956, A.J. Foyt drove

the #24 car to rookie of the year honors in IMCA. In fact he was so impressive, he went to USAC in 1957,

and was starter in the Indy 500 by 1958!

Vaughn moved on with drivers that included, Bobby Parker. In the early sixties he sold his racing gear for a new

hobby, racing horses!

The #24 car would change hands a few times before being bought by "Speedy" Bill Smith, who in turn

sold the car in 1966 to Ed Smith, (no relation). Ed raced the car for several years, with drivers that included,

Curt Waters, Larry Upton, and Keith Hightshoe. There is a picture of Keith with the car in 1966 at Hutch,

on this sight right now. The car is purple, and raced with the number #44

Ray C




ronzalfa
January 07, 2012 at 06:56:16 PM
Joined: 01/06/2012
Posts: 2
Reply

Thanks for the Les Vaughn info! Do you know where he got those cars from, and did he do the wrench work or have help as far as the engines, car setup, etc.? Also I believe he had a moving business at one time in Omaha that was lettered on his cars (midgets?) sometime around '58 or '59. Any memories of these? Was Cotton Farmer also a shoe in his cars, or was that a one time ride? I love this forum !!!!!!!!!



racee14
MyWebsite
January 07, 2012 at 09:07:17 PM
Joined: 09/08/2011
Posts: 148
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: ronzalfa on January 07 2012 at 06:56:16 PM

Thanks for the Les Vaughn info! Do you know where he got those cars from, and did he do the wrench work or have help as far as the engines, car setup, etc.? Also I believe he had a moving business at one time in Omaha that was lettered on his cars (midgets?) sometime around '58 or '59. Any memories of these? Was Cotton Farmer also a shoe in his cars, or was that a one time ride? I love this forum !!!!!!!!!



Cotton Farmer drove the 24 car on the IMCA trail in 1957, after Foyt left the ride with a win at Salem. Farmer was highly successful winning six races in IMCA, while posting a 4th place finish in the final points.



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