RETrott

Under TEXAS RACING HISTORY/Old Modified And Super Modified Photos, post #74 (magazine spread-not resized) has some Meyer Spdwy/Houston Modified Stock Cars from about '67/'68. The #52 Car, I believe, is Lee Cade. And, if my much faded memory serves me well, the #52 Car was blue, with silver numbers. But, if I'm not mistaken, I could be wrong.

Randy, The late Lee Hutchison (sp?), would be about 5'8"/5'9", and raced in '66 & '67. If he missed enough weeks of racing under the 2 yr rule, he may have been eligible in '68, but I just don't recall. Like myself, by that time the expense of racing was beginning to be somewhat of a financial burden for those of us without deep pockets and/or deep pocket sponsorship. The only person I recall from the area you mentioned was Gary Smith, who had the #99 Bronco Stock Car in '68. He was located off Mt Houston Rd, east of Hwy 59. I don't think that am recalling the folks you are discussing, and at this point the only #55 Modified Stock Car I remember from the '60s was Buddy Evans, who owned/built/drove two different late '30s modified bodied Modifieds during that period. Beginning in 8/'62, thru 9/'68, a lot of Bronco Stock Cars, and drivers and crews, passed thru that gate at the end of the front straightaway at Meyer Spdwy/Houston.

Randy, I knew Lee Hutchinson (sp?), who raced in the Bronco Stock Cars in '66 & '67, and possibly some in '68. For the most part, he drove a red #90, which I recall being a '55 Chevy sedan. From what I knew, he lived in SE Houston in those days. His friend, Harry Rushing, after leaving the Broncos, raced a Modified Stock Car, that I recall being #76. It was, however, very similiar in appearance to the '38 Chevy modified coupe bodied Modified #5 Car, that M J Burton raced in '62/'63. As I recall, that was about '67/'68.

Randy, The reason for my curiousity is because I/we purchased a '55 Chevy 2 Door Sedan body/frame with a roll cage and seat that year, but that may have been earlier. As it turned out, we had to merge teams/equipment again and needed other items, and sold the sedan. It was by far the better body, but I preferred the other body/frame/roll cage/RF hub that my partner had purchased. Of course, that roll cage and hub was off an older Bronco that the body/frame was used up, and the Bronco I had recently purchased also had the body used up, and after examination, I decided I/we needed to also replace the cage. I had purchased the other body/frame w/cage from Pat Henry, and paid $100. But, needing the money to get a car race ready, after a crash that severely damaged the frame on another competitor, I/we agreed to sell the extra body/frame/cage to that competitor. When it was picked up, I was told a check would be forthcoming. And, trying to be a good guy and knowing the competitor's Dad, I agreed to collect later. I mean, the guy even had a good sponsor. I sold at cost, with the exception of my keeping the seat, which was needed for the car being built. Actually, we put that seat into the Bronco we raced the previous year that had been sold w/o seat, and I kept my old and once repaired seat. The purchaser of our previous year's Bronco, Kerry Lippies, agreed to the w/o seat deal, but appreciated the seat when it was aquired, and it was a good seat, and usable, but we had already made the switch. So, after a week or so, wanting to race, I went to collect, but could only acquire a partial payment, that came out of "their own pockets". In the meantime, the competitor was racing my formerly owned body/frame/cage. About a week or so later, I went back to the competitor's family owned auto repair shop, and told them I needed the rest of the money. The competitor's Dad went to the office and came back with a couple of customer's checks that he endorsed over to me, and they both indicated that they were having to again spend "their own money", as if expecting me to wait for their sponsor to pay the bill. Fortunately, the checks were good. So, that is the reason for my question about your Bronco Stock Car project in '67. Oh yeah, I see where you mentioned that former '60s era Bronco Stock Car racer David Tennison also raced Quarter Midget Cars in the '50s. I wasn't aware of that...

Randy, In this section, I believe post #67, is a picture of a red '55 Chevy Stock Car, #45, that is most likely a Bronco Stock Car from about '66/'67, with Karl Veach and his son, Willie Veach, standing on the passenger side of the car. I believe Karl was the driver at the time of the picture. From what I recall, Butch Biggs raced a '55 Chevy Bronco Stock Car about that time that was #42, and possibly red & silver. By the way, how far along did your Bronco project get?

Randy, You mentioned Bubba Nolan. He did race a Bronco Stock Car at Meyer Spdwy/Houston in '68, but I don't recall any other years. I recall him running competitively against some very good car and driver combinations, and I believe his car, '56 Chevy, was #77. I don't recall any contact with him in over 25+ years, but in Texas Racing History/Meyer Speedway Pics 2, post #13, it looks a lot like him in the background of the picture, off the right rear of the #5 Chevelle Late Model Sportsman. That picture is from '70.

That sounds like '67, and Louis Barbley's car, that was new that year. About that time, Louis had a frame repair shop on Airline Dr, just north of Berry Rd. Louis had built the blue #92 Bronco Stock Car that was driven by Don Burton in '63, and then it was sold to Pop Minor for '64. But, back to '67, I believe the car in question showed up several weeks into the racing season, and uh, Mike Court was uh, selected to be the uh, driver. I don't recall if the car ran the rest of the season or not.

Randy, On page 3 of this section is a picture from what I think is '68, with a purple Bronco Stock Car #72. I'm thinking that the gentleman with the purple shirt and wearing a hat is Cecil Shaw. The car is, I believe a '56 Chevy, and in prior years, Cecil had a purple Chevy Bronco Stock Car #27, that was driven by his son, David Shaw. With the 2 year experience limit, David Shaw may not have been eligible in '68. From what I recall, the Shaws were from Pasadena. On the pictured car, partially visible, appears to be the name of possibly Wayne Hancock, although not in a normal area for the driver's name. Maybe the picture helps, and I seem to recall a reference to a Pancho wearing the hat, but I'm fairly convinced it's Cecil Shaw. As for the other clues, they don't seem to narrow my choices much. Even the bread/bakery part. But, I am curious.

Randy, Where were you living (general area) when you lived near the Bronco racer that was possibly named Ken. I'm just trying to remember, but haven't so far. I don't remember everyone, but I make up for it by not being remembered by a lot of those I do remember. But, that can be a good thing. I would love to see some programs from those days, and maybe help on some recall.

Staying tuned!

Tim, Definite interest in photos and stories. Especially, the Modified Stock Car #2 that was built in '63, a '37/'38 Chevy Coupe, with the body modified by narrowing and shortening. I saw the car in various stages of build, and would love to see any pictures. From what I understand, it was built as a semi identical twin to the #5 Car that was built in '62, but the body was an inch or two smaller. If I'm correct, it was later blue and #22, and is pictured on this site from about '66. A very unique type of Modified Stock Cars, unfortunately a little too unique to race elsewhere. But, as one can see in the pictures, beautiful racecars, and great racing among some great racecar drivers.

Randy, From what I recall, Jerry began racing Stock Cars at Meyer Spdwy/Houston in '71, driving in the NASCAR Limited Sportsman division. The car used, I believe was the '55 Chevy Bronco Stock Car body/frame/suspension that Larry drove in '67, winning the Houston Bronco Championship that year. The pictured crashed car, I believe, was blue and white when raced in '70, but was repainted Coyote Red for '71, and sponsored by A J Foyt Chevrolet. Quite possibly, some usable parts after this crash were used on the '65 Chevelle Late Model Sportsman #7 Car that was built for '72. It began as a light blue, but was maroon in '73. I don't think Bob Stiegel could have straightened the frame on the pictured car, but...

I should be able to, just don't let me forget.

Randy, Schild sister (forgot name) would be Linda, who looks a lot like her Mom in that picture. A lot of us lost a very good friend when Linda's, Jerry's, and Larry's Mom, Willie Mae Schild, passed away last year.

That's the way I remember it. Actually, behind the firewall, it was 14 yrs old, originally built in '71. I was told, understood, and convinced that it was the former Schild car. James should remember the night his driver(?) took your Dad out leading the feature. If not, I've still got it on tape.

Actually Jim, I don't think so. From what I recall, a '68 Chevelle was already in building status, and it was finished a few weeks after this picture. It became the #2 Car for '72, with I believe, a Smokey Yunich built motor. A new #7 Car, '65 Chevelle, was built for '72, driven by Jerry Schild and owned/sponsored by Rush Johnson. To my knowledge, both cars had a stock front clip. However in '73, Larry Schild drove the A J Foyt Chevrolet owned/sponsored #50 Car, '68 Chevelle, that was built by Banjo Mathews and had the popular Stock Car front clip used in NASCAR in those days. As for rear suspension, the #50 Car, and the new in '72 #7 Car, as I remember, had the truck arm/coil springs. But, the pictured #7 Car from '71 that was new in '70, and the #2 Car built in '71 and raced that year as #7, but became the #2 Car for '72, had leaf springs. Another note, the Schild built '68 Chevelle #2 Car, being raced as a #7 Car back-up in '74, was involved in a crash and suffered front clip damage. The front clip was replaced, using a Chevelle/stock clip, and the car was available for sale without engine in '75/'76. That same car was racing at least as late as '85 at Battleground Spdwy/Highlands, 3/8 mile dirt track. At that time, it was the #16 Car owned by Tim Cates, and driven by Ron Brashears. And, I believe the Schild built in '72, '65 Chevelle #7 Car, Rush Johnson owned and driven by Jerry Schild in '72-'75, was racing at Battleground in the '80s as well, but I don't know who the owner or driver was. Those same cars, besides racing weekly at Meyer Spdwy/Houston in the early '70s, also competed at other spdwys in those days as well.

NASCAR Late Model Sportsman, '71. Owned/built by Charlie Schild, pictured on the right, and driven by Larry Schild. Pictured in the Bingle Road driveway, results of qualifing race crash at Meyer Spdwy/Houston for the annual 200 Lap LMS National Championship points race. Exiting turn four, L J Honeycutt, Freddy Fryar, and Larry Schild got together and crashed into the inside/pit road guardrail. Results are apparent on the A J Foyt Chevrolet sponsored Schild #7 Car. As I recall, a crewmember on the #7 Car, engine mechanic George Billetdeaux (sp?), aka Billydoo, was on pit road just behind the guardrail near the soon to be crash area. He turned to attempt to run, and was struck in the uh, behind by the #7 left front coil spring that had flown over the guardrail. He had a painful, but not too serious, injury. An accident, I don't know if anyone was to blame. Lettering on the #7 car was done by the late Billy Fitchner, an old elementary school friend of mine from the 50s.

Definitely the same car, pictured in/near turns one and two at Cleveland TX Spdwy, late season '66. Possibly had to be renumbered, but looking at the rear quarter panel, I can see the '57 fins had been trimmed to almost look like '56.

Do we have any photos of the Bronco's? #85 Do we have any Broncos? You bet we do. The #2 Bronco Stock Car in late '66, most likely driven in this picture by Butch McQueen. Due to a two year driving experience restriction for the Bronco Stock Class at Meyer Spdwy/Houston, this #2 Car was raced/driven that year at CC Spdwy/Corpus Christi, Pan Am Spdwy/San Antonio, and Cleveland Spdwy/Cleveland (dirt) by Tracy Trotter. Competitive at CC and Cleveland, qualified 31st out of 32 cars for the 200 Lap July 4th Pan Am event, against their Super Stocks, as I believe they were called. Had tire problems, a minor crash, and was not competitive at Pan Am. This #2 Bronco Stock Car began as a '57 Chevrolet Late Model Stock Car #4 for '66, driven by Tracy Trotter. After only running a couple of events with a low car count, and additionally having two cars severely damaged in a warmup/practice session crash, the Late Model events were discontinued. The 283 engine was replaced with a 265, the front-end was replaced by a '56, the '57 fins were trimmed, and the car was renumbered #2. Along with Butch McQueen, as a Bronco Stock Car at Meyer Spdwy/Houston, the car was also driven by Coy Bullard, and at least once by Mike Cronin. The car was owned and built/wreched by Mel Newkirk.

Appears to be early '70, possibly driven by Johnny Mac Pierce, or George Mitchell. The '57 Chevy #47 is/was a NASCAR Late Model Sportsman Stock Car, that was driven the last half of the '69 season at Meyer Spdwy/Houston by Tracy Trotter. Owned, I believe, by a George Mitchell, and built/wrenched by Mel Newkirk. After overcoming some handling woes, the car/driver was very competitive at the end of the season, and in the last feature of '69 was moving up through the field on pace with Freddy Fryar when the crankshaft broke. The owner didn't agree with the mechanic's choice of driver, and Johnny Mac Pierce was chosen as driver for the '70 season. I really don't recall that car/driver combination's competitive ability, and shortly into the '70 season, I recall seeing the car setting head-on into the Meyer Spdwy guardrail in turn one/turn two with substantial front-end damage. I have no memory of this car being repaired, or if it was repairable after that, and no memory of Mel Newkirk doing any more building/wrenching either.

I have yet to find out who or what the SONNY refers to. Archie never had a driver named Sonny, just Billy as far as I know. >> The goggles look like they fell out of his brain bucket. Knowing Archie, if he stepped on them, it probably came out of his paycheck. Looks like a good light for the camera. I read some references about the track lighting, or lack there of, at CC Spdwy. But, I would like to know about the name on the seatback.

Thomas "Pop" Minor was a real person. He did a lot of the body re-manufacturing on those two '38 Chevy Coupe bodies for those Modifieds. After selling his interest in the #2 Modified at the end of the '63 racing season, he left the Modifieds and purchased the blue #92 Chevy Bronco Stock Car, and raced it in '64. He is pictured in another section on this site with an open shirt, standing with Curley Tennison. He moved back to Alabama at some point, and I last saw him in Birmingham in '74. Pop and his wife Frankie were nice folks to be around. As for Don racing the '63 era Modified #2, I don't recall that at all. He raced the #92 Bronco in '63, and I believe the #2 and the #5 Modifieds were sold after that year.

Jim, Were you at the races in '63 when Pop Minor in the brand new Modified #2 that was almost a twin to MJ Burton's #5, spun in the heat race and ended up with the front bumper facing the guardrail at the turn 3 and turn 4 junction, and was T-boned in the right side by a Modified that had been a half lap behind? I had the good fortune to see that car in various building stages, only to see it severely damaged in it's very first race. The car was rebuilt, but I don't know if the frame was straightened or replaced. After repairs, it was raced some in '63 as a #5 Car backup, and was the same car that MJ was in when he got upside down on top of Charlie Schild, who was in a Cates owned #1 Car, in turn 3.

I had seen the picture Gene, but not the caption. I knew it looked like Billy, but the "Sonny" on the seat confused me. Looks like he dropped his goggles.