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Topic: PHOTOS: 50's Sprint Cars Photos (some of the greatest on the site).
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Page 3 of 3 of 47 replies
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September 13, 2011 at
09:09:15 PM
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12/04/2004
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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
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September 14, 2011 at
08:11:48 AM
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02/18/2006
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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.
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i ordered the book last week, can't wait to read it.
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September 14, 2011 at
07:16:45 PM
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09/08/2011
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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?
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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
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January 06, 2012 at
03:39:56 PM
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01/06/2012
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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
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January 06, 2012 at
04:48:17 PM
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07/14/2011
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Reply to:
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.
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I played football on that field in 1960 Clyde vs Belleville I played for Clyde Bluejay`s .
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January 07, 2012 at
01:58:47 PM
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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
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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
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January 07, 2012 at
06:56:16 PM
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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 !!!!!!!!!
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January 07, 2012 at
09:07:17 PM
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Joined:
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09/08/2011
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148
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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 !!!!!!!!!
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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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