RETrott

Among many other things, I'm no expert in judging dirt race tracks, but Moody-Clary/Navasota was as nice as any I've seen. I'm thinking I witnessed the mentioned crash, although I don't remember the car number, but the driver's last name is the same I remember. I was in the pit area, as you know was outside the back stretch, and the crash occurred, I believe, just past the turn two exit. I began attending auto races in the early '50s, but I can't recall ever seeing a race car flip that fast. Am I referring to the same incident? It seems like it was an Edmunds Car. Very fast flips. While I am avoiding posting, I had to comment on this discussion.

Tommy, The Sprintcar with the heavily damaged roll cage appears to be the results of the accident I described. As can be seen, very scary, and I have to wonder about the integrity of that roll-bar and added cage. I believe the driver is William Smith, and he is pictured in Meyer Speedway Pics 2, Post #86, 5th photo from top, pictured with Billy Perran and his #6 Modified. Also, in Meyer Speedway Pics 2, Post #120, pictured with Jackie Woosley and his #4 Modified, on the left with cap and sunglasses. Those 2 pictures appear to be '64-'65.

Jim, The crash I refferred to was against the wall in turn 1/turn 2, and the roll cage broke, and definitley not Bill White.

I recall an incident in the late '60s/early'70s time frame that occurred in turn 1/turn 2, involving a Sprint Car during a Supermodified event that resulted in the car getting upside down and the rollcage failed. As I remember, the driver was not seriously injured and very lucky. I'm thinking that driver was William Smith, who I believe was a long time crewmember for Jackie Woosley, and/or Billy Perran. I'm just curious if anyone recalls the crash, and/or details.

Tommyo, Are you referring to post #36 under "Meyer Speedway pics 2" topic? I believe the LMS #11 Car, as id'd, is the Bob Barnes car being driven by Vaughn Brune. The usual driver may have been Leroy Friend. Possibly Vaughn needed points due to a problem with his car, or he was test driving to help resolve a setup problem. I believe the John Lewis car, as id'd is the #58 LMS being driven by L J Honeycut. As for time frames, the HBRA "Bronco"/Sportsman StockCars competed from '62 thru '68. In '69, and thru '74, Meyer Spdwy was NASCAR sanctioned for LateModel Sportsman Stock Cars, and Limited Sportsman Stock Cars. In '75, the NASCAR sanction discontued and the independant NARL LateModels began racing. And, the NARL "Bronco"/Hobby Stock Cars were introduced in either '75 or '76. The older model Limited Sportsman Stock Cars, if they competed at all, saw limited action. As for the NASCAR LateModel Sportsman Cars, there was also a 1/2 mile, or maybe 9/16 mile, paved speedway near Baton Rouge, LA. And, I believe their events were held on Friday nights. For a while at least, I believe Freddy Fryar, Jay Gonzales, Ray Putnam, and Joe Holley, to name a few, were racing out of the Baton Rouge Spdwy near Prairieville, LA. The mentioned LMS Permatex 200s were NASCAR LateModel Sportsman National Championship points paying events. Those 200 Lap Races, with qualifying races, were held in '70, '71, '72, and '73. Although, I'm not sure they were all Permatex sponsored. Those events, as well as the Baton Rouge track, brought a lot of very fast car and driver combinations that the local racers had to deal with.

Tommy, The '74 NASCAR Late Model Sportsman track championship was won by Larry Schild. Mostly drove the AJ Foyt Chevrolet #50 Chevelle, although a late season split required finishing the season in another car(s). Also, there should be a championship for the '60 season, Roadster Modifieds at Meyer Spdwy won by Billy Wade, if my memory is correct. In '76, the track Late Model Championship was won by Terry Labonte. The rest, I'm again out of memory.

The Long Point location was where he retired from. Previously had a couple different locations on Washington Ave, as Randy said. And, did a lot of A/T work for area Used Car lots.

I would love to see a list of all '60s era Modifieds racing in Houston, with construction information. I'll always believe those modified late '30s/early '40s Modified Stock Cars were about as unique as it gets. I mean, real stock cars, completely reconstructed while maintaining appearance integrity.

The pictured Rush Johnson Associates Late Model race car with a Nova body and raced as #11 by Larry Schild, had to be '76 or later. I believe Mike Dugi (sp) was the crew chief for RJA racing in the late '70s. Rush, I believe, passed away in '80, after suffering a stroke.

Yes, definitely #2. But it did become the #7 Limited Sportsman in '71, with a new engine, windshield, and some additional modifications. But, I should have remembered the #2 Bronco.

Tommyo, Delbert Ready, driving a yellow Chevy Bronco #44 was the '66 Bronco Champion, and Larry Schild, driving his red, white, and blue Chevy #7 was the '67 Bronco Champion. Well, it was blue and white, with possibly some red. The last year for the Bronco Stock Cars was '68, and in '69 the NASCAR Late Model Sportsman events began. But, I thought Little Joe Holley, driving a '57 Chevy LMS was '69 Champion. The '72 NASCAR LMS Champion, just a guess, may have been Phil Cronin. At Playland, the '60 and last Modified Champion was Buddy Evans, driving a modified early '30s coupe, possibly a Ford body/chassis, red #55. CORRECTION: The Larry Schild '55 Chevy Bronco Stock Car from '67 was the #2 Car!

Thanks Byron. I knew which car Jackie Woosley was driving, but I wasn't at the speedway the night of the crash. And yes, his injuries prevented any more race car driving. And, I had not known about Jackie's brother James racing a Modified, but I knew he owned a Bronco Stock Car in '66, driven by Burl Avery. It was a '56 Chevy, blue #5.

For whatever it is worth, quite possibly because of Larry Schild's NASCAR LateModel Sportsman duties, he may have not been able to compete in all Supermodified events. Once again, a supposition, but he was "full time" in LMS during that period. Re: Bill White. What Modified was Bill White driving when he and Jackie Woosley crashed, and was that '68 or '69? Maybe this has been covered before, but my memory bank is a little low on funds.

Tommyo, If you talk to Carol again, I wish you could get some details/history on the modified '37 Chevy Coupe Modified Stock Car #11. It appears to be white in color, although the picture is b/w. Jakdad and I are both out of memory regarding that car. And, that is strange considering Fred Furlow's prestige as a race car owner.

The main thing is, thanks to administrators, moderators, and especially other posters, I have been able to relive a very enjoyable time, recall some great events, and remember some fantastic folks. And, some real characters. Hopefully, my memory and posting can return at least a small part of the enjoyment I have received.

Jim, Was the stolen car the white #7 that won the '71 Liberty Bell 300, driven in that event by George Nash? And, I have to wonder where it could have been raced without being ID'd. And yes, the Browning-Furlow Plumbing Company was in that area, off Long Drive. But I was told it happened at an "Engine Machine Shop" in the area, although you are most likely correct.

I do believe the "Kelley-Macon" Supermodified #2 was raced in '71, and possibly sooner. And, likely driven by Bill White, and later possibly Larry Schild. But, maybe relative and maybe not, I seem to recall hearing about a Supermodified being stolen along about that time, +/- a year or two. And, for some reason, I thought it was a Fred Furlow owned car, but now I'm not sure. A couple of months back, I asked Tommy "T Tommy Tucker" Smith if he remembered, and he mentioned that he thought the theft occurred at an engine shop in S/E Houston. Any other details would be supposition on my part. I believe beginning in '72, Lee Roy Halfen's Supermodified was number 2, dayglow red. One thing for certain on this forum, each post usually has a reply, and each answer creates another question.

Randy, I remember the described accident, and yes the track worker was hit. And, I remember telling Larry Schild, who was quite upset, that I had seen the individual setting up in the ambulance as it was leaving the pit area and did not appear to be seriously injured. But, I draw a complete blank regarding what car Larry Schild was driving. Aside from it being a Modified or Supermodified Race Car.

Randy, From what I recall, Bill White may have made an occasional appearance besides the Liberty Bell 300 Super Modified events, but not on a regular basis in the Modified Stock Cars prior to driving "Big Blue" MSC #2. I can't seem to recall any specifics regarding Larry Schild driving the Macon-Kelly Super Modified #2, if that's what you are referring to. I recall him driving the Red Upton #44 Super Modified, and at least in the '72 Liberty Bell 300, he drove the LeeRoy Halfen SuperModified that was also #2. During that event, if my memory is correct, something very important broke in the engine near the S/F line. And, there it blowed up. That took some driving to avoid a major crash in turn 1.

I seem to recall that I thought that was the case when that #52 Modified was racing. But if so, now I wonder what Bill White may have driven, if anything, during that time, before the Winged Super Modified #2, that he drove later.

No sidelining Randy. Another of my many question marks is regarding a modified '38 Chevy Coupe that was raced in, I believe, '67 and driven by Munson Stodder III. It was #57, orange and white and possibly had black numbers. That car is pictured somewhere, and appears to have been reconstructed somewhat similiar to the blue #31 Modified recently discussed. A different car than the #57 Modified from '66, that was previously the #91 and/or the #93 Modified that was driven by Ronnie Chumley, and owned/sponsored by LS Garner Trucking. And later, I believe it became the Roark Trucking, Jr Norman driven #39 Modified. But, I am puzzeled by the origin of the #57 Modified from '67.

Randy & Associates, The pictured #5 Car, and the pictured #55 Car, may very well be the same body/chassis. Now, I could be wrong, or maybe even mistaken, and I see a Modified that has been re-constructed much like the MJ Burton #5 Car from '62/'63, but I'll be surprised to learn that the Burton Team constructed car is the same as the Ballard #5, or the #55. I know one thing, the few times they let MJ Burton drive a big motor Modified, the paint wouldn't stay on that car.

For my nickel, The #51 Modified is Charlie Ritter. Possibly a '39 Chevy Coupe, Lincoln Motor. Possibly, Charlie Kittle drove the #15 Modified, and there may have been a connection between the #15 & #51 Modifieds. In '64, Larry Wilson showed up with a Bronco Stock Car, #60, '56 Chevy. And, apparently he picked the HBRA presiding officer, Norman Cawthorn as his driver. At the time, Norman had a nice little '55 Studebaker Bronco Stock Car, orange, #35. When he accepted the ride, he offered the #35 Car for sale. He had a discussion with Tracy Trotter, and Tracy came up with $75 cash on the spot, and took possession. Possibly the next week, Tracy had a 4th place Feature finish and a heat race victory that night or the following week. The next feature race, Tracy looked at the line-up, and expressed his belief that if he could pass the #95 Car, Robert Elmore, on the start, he had a shot at winning. Well, he passed the #95 Car entering turn 1, but turned sideways and that Studebaker took a bite and flipped, landing hard on the left side roof and LF fender. Although raced again, the Studebaker never seemed to perform as well as before the crash. In any event, I would have used that car for decoration before selling it for $75, even in '64. I last saw L J Honeycutt in about '97/'98 at Autorama.

Tommyo, Byron, & Randy, See forum topic "Old Modified and Super Modified Photos" See page 9, post 208, from Jun 17, 2008, 3rd picture from top, dated May 8, 1965 Followed by comment post 209. That picture is my only reference to Walter Ballard in that car. No memory whatsoever.

Somewhere among these posts/topics, is a picture of a Modified multi-car tangle, from about '64/'65, and there is a '38 Chevy Coupe Modified #5 that is id'd as being driven by Walter Ballard. One of the "taller" cars, very similiar to the former MJ Burton #5 Car, but a different style number. I have no memory of that car and driver combination. But, with my focus on the Bronco Stock Cars during that time frame, it's very likely I just didn't "absorb" it. As for Harry Rushing's Modified crash, I recall an incident where the car ended up on it's side on the front straightaway, and I believe he did sustain some injuries, but I don't recall how severe the car was damaged. Another "taller" modified '38 Chevy Coupe Modified was the #25 Car from '62/'63. It was red & silver like an Amalie oil can, sponsored by Gemeg Oil, owned by LS Garner, wrenched by Sonny Goebel, and driven in '62 by Charlie Schild. It is my understanding that the Garner Truckline/Charlie Schild #25 Car and the Cowan Trucking/MJ Burton #5 Car from '62 were built from the same plans. That #25 Car, at least when driven by Charlie Schild was a beauty, as well as fast. After '62, possibly one of those "splits" ocurred, and Ronnie Chumley drove that #25 Car in '63. I don't know what became of that car, in following years, unless it was maybe "reconstructed" after '63.