RETrott

Thanks Darrell. I was thinking the tire rule had changed, but I just couldn't recall specifics. And, looking forward to those pictures.

Well Tommyo, I had a long winded reply, but a power skip did away with it. And, with a typing speed of about 60 wph, those long posts take awhile.

In any event, Meyer Spdwy/Houston was NASCAR sanctioned from '69 thru '74. After that, under NARL rules, Camaro/Firebird & Mustang bodies were allowed. Nova bodied Late Models were popular also, but by that time they may have been legal in NASCAR as well.

The 70s era Bronco Stock Cars were L6 engines, factory matching, and I believe limited to 250 cid. Although allowed, the larger body/chassis cars were at a disadvantage against the Chevy IIs/Novas, Falcons, Mustangs, and Camaros/Firebirds. That class began in, I believe, '75. Maybe Darrel will add some detail regarding the specific rules, but I believe they were restricted to 70 series, "capped" street tires.

Tommyo,

I'm still somewhat puzzled by the modified '38 Chevy Coupe Modified Stock Car #31, painted blue and id'd as being driven, at least some, by Jimmy McKenzie. Maybe he knows, and will pass along some info. But, my foggy memory is sometimes quite clear, and I definitely remember a modified '38 Chevy Coupe Modified Stock Car that strongly resembled the MJ Burton #5 Car from '62/'63, that was built in about '66/'68 and was driven by Paul Maire and later by Harry Rushing. That car was red, and at least when Harry drove it, was #76. Although originally mass produced, the cars were reconstructed by hand. And, most were somewhat unique from the others. Very few were identical, but a few were very close.

Randy,

As for Lee Hutchenson (sp), I know for a fact that he, at least some of the time, lived near Howard Dr/WinklerDr/Monroe Rd off the Gulf Frwy. I just have no recall of him having a Modified. I also have no recall regarding the pictured #55, as numbered. To me, that modified '38 Chevy Coupe/Modified Stock Car appears "taller" than the referred to #31 and/or #75 Modified. HOWEVER, what I do recall, Paul Maire, with help from Bob Ashby, built a '38 Chevy Modified in about '66/'68. That car was numbered #76, but was red, and quite similiar to the pictured car. Looking at the picture, I see strong similiarities to the famous #5 Modified Stock Car from '62 & '63 that was owned and driven by MJ Burton. And, Bob Ashby had a lot to do with that car as well. I am fairly well convinced, that the modified '38 Chevy Coupe Modified #76, and the previously built modified '38 Chevy Coupe Modified #5 from '62/'63, were built with the same or similiar plans. As for Paul Maire, he had also owned/driven the #76 Bronco Stock Car, that was later owned/driven by Harry Rushing. And, in my last memory of the #76 Modified, it was being driven by Harry Rushing in about '68/'69. At one time, Paul Maire lived near Howard Dr/Gulf Fwy as well, and so did Harry Rushing.

I do wonder though, if maybe at some point Johnny Mac Pierce had something to do with the pictured #55 Modified. Just a thought, because Johnny drove Paul Yeatts' #55 Bronco in the mid '60s.

So, for my nickel, I would think the pictured #55 Modified, if not the former MJ Burton car, is likely the Paul Maire/Bob Ashby built #76 from about '67/'68.

As for Buddy Evans, I remember him driving two modified '37/'38 Chevy Coupe Modifieds #55, in the early/mid '60s. The first car was orange & white, and became the #53 Car in mid season '61. The other car I recall, was slightly smaller after modifications, and unique among those Modifieds, the B post was left in place. Painted orange, I don't know what became of the later car.

Tommyo,

See post #103, #104, #105...

That car was blue & white in '70.

Larry,

 

Are you sure AJ sponsored the #2 of Larry Schild in 72?

 

I didn't think AJ got involved until the # 50 was launched ??

 

We need to get Larry Schild on this thread to get is input also.

 

Don't know if he can handle a computer unless he is strapped in a Kirkland racing seat..

Randy,

See "Bobby Allison at Meyer Speedway Twice", post #1, photo #3. I think I remember that day, I was a tire mounter-upper, headlight taper-upper, and while resting I drove the tow truck.

I think Larry Schild drove the RJA '65 Chevelle LM some, before the '76 Daytona 300 crash. I believe the Nova bodied LM was built from some of the salvaged '72 Monte Carlo parts. As for Bob Steigel, I know he was involved with the building of the "Bronco" Stock Car that was driven by Larry Schild in '67. That same '55 Chevy body/chassis was raced as a NASCAR Limited Sportsman in '71, driven by Jerry Schild.

Randy,

I'm pretty confident about that situation. Charlie and Larry Schild built a '65 Chevelle LMS that was racing by at least no later than the '70 season. Blue and white as I recall. For the '71 season, that car was painted Coyote/Foyt Red. I'm not sure exactly when the AJ Foyt Chevrolet dealership began operations, but it seems like it was about that time. I'll always remember arriving at the Bingle shop on a Saturday morning and seeing the late Billy Fitchner "doing the lettering". Billy was an absolute artist, and he and I were friends in Elementary School, probably going back to the 2nd grade in the early/mid '50s. I had no idea that he did a lot of sign painting for Foyt Racing. But, definitely '71. I was inactive that year, but became a volunteer on the crew in '72. Mostly with the #7 Car, through '74.

Hey Denny,

I erased my original post, but wasn't the original '65 Chevelle LMS # 7 severely damaged in a crash in '71 after colliding with Freddy Fryar and LJ Honeycut exiting turn four and hitting the inside guardrail during a qualifying race for the national points LMS 200 event? I believe the LF spring came out and hit Billydoo. An already in progress '68 Chevelle was finished and raced as #7 in the last race(s) that year. It became the #2 Car for '72, as I recall, and a new body/frame '65 Chevelle was built for Rush Johnson's team, driven by Jerry Schild. The #2 Car, owned by Charles Ray, and driven by Larry Schild in '72, was sponsored by AJ Foyt Chevrolet. Uh, that same body/chassis, after a stock front clip crash repair/replacement, was at Battleground Spdwy in '85, owned by Tim Cates and uh, driven by uh, Ron Breshear.

The #50 Car, owned by Foyt Racing was raced in '73, and about half of '74, driven by Larry Schild.

For the life of me, I don't recall any Nova bodied NASCAR LMS, but after '74 a lot of Chevelles became Novas. And by '75, w/o NASCAR, Camaro bodied LMs also became very popular. That change also allowed for some Fairlanes/Torinos to be downsized to Mustangs as well.

Speaking of Tom Pistone, didn't he show up at Meyer a time or two?

That was probably '75 - '77 time frame, after NASCAR sanction ended, as I recall.

As an added/edited note, it could have been '78, and possibly, although I don't think so, '79.

I don't recall any double A Feature events during the NASCAR era from '69 thru '74. The way I remember it, Freddy Fryar entered about 1/3 of the 20 (+/-) weekly NASCAR LMS events in each of the '69 and '70 seasons, and was undefeated until '71. As I recall, he was leading and was passed by Larry Schild in the Charlie Schild owned/built '65 Chevelle LMS #7 a few weeks into the season. A few weeks later, Vaughn Brune became the 2nd racer to beat Freddy at Meyer Spdwy in a LMS A Feature. That's the way I remember it.

After being undefeated in all NASCAR Late Model Sportsman A Features entered over the course of 2 seasons, Freddy Fryar was finally outran by what driver, in I believe '71, the 3rd LMS season, at Meyer Spdwy/Houston? And, who was the 2nd driver to outrun Freddy Fryar at Meyer Spdwy? I'm thinking I know this from memory, and hopefully I'm correct.

RE: Post 534

I have no doubt that the pictured program is, like Ray Withrow said, from '64. Talk about a cast of characters!

Randy,

I was in the grandstands, I believe, when Charlie Schild went over the wall in/near turn three. I'm thinking '63, and he was in the Cates modified '38 Chevy body/chassis Modified #1, that was more than likely SB Chevy powered. Maybe you will have the opportunity to speak with MJ Burton soon, and test his memory.

I know it wasn't MJ's old #5 pictured here. MJ actually flipped the #5 sometime after this accident as posted on my website. I will copy and paste to hear for everyone to see very soon. The story I get is that MJ was actually trying to block for Smitty who was leading the race before the engine expired. Charlie was after him hard and was the rocket kid as a result.

 

It was to the best of my memory a modified with #1 (red and white) on the side that went sailing across the fence. I do recall the #25 car red and silver, but I am almost positive it wasn't that one. It seemed like it was a Fiat Ford Coupe Body Modified although some tell me he was driving a 38 Chevy that night.

 

I used to study these cars in great detail to see what model cars I could buy and mimick building one just like I saw them at the race track. I was quite younger then, but I would guess it was a Fiat Ford Body just by the appearance of the #1 car going air born.

 

Probably been too long ago for my brain cells but, for years I would have bet it was a Fiat Ford. Does anyone else recall seeing that kind of body during this time period?

 

From what I saw and it was so fast, Charlie was air born straight up as he went over the wall with the front pointed up about 20 degrees. What happened after he went over the wall I never got to see. Tatar reminded everyone to remain in their seats as safety officials had everything under control. Later he announced for Mrs Charlie Schild to report to the pit gate. I remember that as if it were yesterday.

 

Wish I had the photo of the car going over the wall. There were several shots of it back then but, no telling what heppened to them now.

Randy,

I know this is an old post, but the Ford Fiat body reference could use a little more discussion. As previously discussed, after the closing of Playland Spdwy after the '60 season, the weekly auto racing switched to the 1/2 mile Meyer Spdwy/Houston. And, new rules requiring '37 or newer cars were required for the Modified Stock Car events. The change over required new cars to be built, or possibly older chassis's updated with newer bodies. The Cates/Frank's Ice House #2 Modified that started the '61 season being driven by Billy Wade, was supposed to be a '37 Ford body that was shortened and narrowed. Some race fans weren't sure it was a modified '37 Ford body. About mid-season, the modified '37/'38 Chevy Coupe Modified #55, driven by Buddy Evans, became the #53 Car driven by Billy Wade. At that point, "available" Charlie Schild began driving the red & white #2 Cates Modified. I have no memory of that #2 Car after '61. Charlie Schild drove the LS Garner/Gemeg Oil red & silver modified '38 Chevy Modified #25 in '62. In '63, Charlie Schild was back driving for Cates in a red & white modified '37/'38 Chevy Coupe Modified #1. And, the LS Garner/Gemeg Oil #25 Modified was driven by Ronnie Chumley in '63. But, the modified '38 Chevy Modified #1 that was driven in '64 by MJ Burton and Charlie Schild, (in '65 & '66 by Charlie Schild as well) was a newly built big block Ford powered Modified. So, a little merit for your Fiat reference.

I would say either '66 or '67.

Would you please type that long word a little s-l-o-w-e-r-?

I think it was meant that way, and as always a little overlap when reminders drop in. My computer skills are very limited, so I wonder about those old enough to have memories of Arrowhead Spdwy/Houston. As for Meyer Spdwy/Houston, like you say, a lot of information and pictures are already on this site and hopefully more to come. I'm hoping to post a couple soon myself.

Once again, after reading some old thoughts, this post, # 9 in this subject, apparently was in regard to a prior post that has been deleted or edited, and now makes absolutely no sense.

Reference to post # 11

 

Great job Tbird. The picture appears to be looking kinda southwest. I believe the spdwy backstretch, turns, and grandstand are visible. For present day reference, note Braes Bayou north of the site. Also, notice the Shamrock Hotel (aka Shamrock Hilton) at the top of the X, and the swimming pool on the left side. That is the southwest corner of S Main @ Holcombe. For those not familiar, the Texas Medical Center is now located at the bottom of the picture. Part of it, that is. And I did ride the Mono-Rail.

I was just re-reading some old posts and saw that this post, # 6, has been edited by an editor, not by me. My post does NOT reference post # 11 on this subject. Also, post # 11 came two days later and has no connection to my post regarding Arrowhead Spdwy/Houston. So, for anyone who doesn't think I am a total idiot, maybe this update will help.

Good info Jim. But I do believe there was a USAC Midget Car race in '62, won by Jim McElreath Sr, and an ARCA Stock Car event in '63 won by, I believe, Buddy Ward in a Chevrolet. And possibly, the '66 ARCA race had a Studebaker in the field.

I believe the RF tire is being installed by Larry Schild, who was about age 16 at the time. Mainly Mark, I was "aware" of that particular Modified.

RE: Post #409

I believe the pictured red & white modified '38 Chevy Coupe Modified Stock Car number 1 is actually from '66, and is the Schild Team built car that was new in '64 with the BBB Ford 427 engine, originally driven by M J Burton and later owned & driven by Charlie Schild. Not to be confused with another modified '38 Chevy Coupe Modified Stock Car that was raced in prior years, and owned by Cates Racing that was also red & white and number 1. As I recall, the Cates Modified number 1 was driven in '62 by Sonny McDaniel, and in '63 by Charlie Schild, and was involved in a couple of serious crashes, including over the turn 3 wall.

The Schild built car was among the very best built Modifieds of that era, with more than likely considerable help from Bob Steigal. Mr Stiegal (sp?) was a very talented individual.

And Parnelli nearly caught him. Needed 2 more laps. That was a good race. Billy Griswold was there driving an Olds powered Sprinter.

From what I recall, there were a couple of wave offs trying to start. Parnelli Jones had won pole position, and A J Foyt Jr was second fastest and started on the front row outside. As the speed picked up in turn three, Parnelli "appeared" to jump the start, possibly with a little help from his friend alongside. When the green flag waved, on about the third attempt, Parnelli's car was slow gaining speed and dropped to last place before "clearing out", and then set sail, passing everyone except A J. However, he was gaining fast in the #51 Sprint Car, and would have caught the #2 A J Watson Sprint Car driven by A J Foyt Jr in a couple of laps. But, passing A J that day would not have been easy. However, another ten laps would have been very interesting. Still a great show!

Jim,

I was not aware of the repaving. I believe there was a 100 Lap USAC Midget Race in late '59, and I remember Tony Bettenhausen Sr was leading and had a RF flat. I don't recall who won. But, as far as I know, the repaving you mentioned was probably the last time it was done. One can only imagine the quality of future events if Mr Meyer had lived a few more years. I say that because apparently he wasn't concerned with profit or even breaking even, as long as it was a great show.

Here's an aerial photo of Meyer Speedway in 1958. I think this was before Mr. Meyer had it repaved.

http://www.historicaerials.com/default.aspx?poi=6302

Jim,

From what I understand, the track was race ready for over a year before opening up. I first saw the track in late '56 or early '57, and the dirt work was done only, with no grandstands or guardrail. The Bicycle track is outside the turn four exit, and what I believe was a Quarter Midget track is outside the turn four entrance, as shown in '57/'58.