RETrott

MFBarnes, This clip appears to be, at least to me, to be early '65 or '66 and filmed on the day of the Meyer Spdwy/Houston ARCA Late Model Stock Car race. Most likely, some of the Houston Modified Cars and Bronco Stock Cars were allowed/invited to have some practice/exhibition laps. I recall the ARCA, or possibly IMCA events being in March each year just prior to the weekly season opening races. The reason for the IMCA mention, I am not sure, but I thought some events were ARCA and some were IMCA. But, I may be confusing the Houston spring races with the Shreveport fall shows. I do not recall being at the track on the day of the film, and may have been working. After arrival of NASCAR beginning in '69, the annual ARCA events discontinued. As for the Modifieds, the red car without a visible number, appears identical to the former M J Burton #5 Car built new in '62, although a twin was built with the same plans a few years later, and raced as the #76 Car. The red #40 Car, appears to be the Burton Team/Pop Minor built car that was new in '63, and raced that year as # 2 and on occasion, #5. I'm guessing some here, but if I'm correct about the #40 Car, it emerges later as a blue #22 Car.

Worth mentioning is the #24 Bronco Stock Car from about '65 thru '68. A '55/'56 Ford, silver in color, and fast all the way around the track. Quite possibly, due to crashes and wear, more than one body/frame was used, as well as engine/drive train parts, but for the most part, the same/similiar combination. A Noel Shirey owned/built car, it was driven mostly by Elton Porter, Mike Cronin, and Bob Brewer. And, I believe, was the very last ('68) Meyer Spdwy/Houston Championship winning car in that class of Bronco Stock Cars, driven that year by Bob Brewer. The car just seemed to have been as close to perfect as possible, under the rules, regarding the power/torque, gear ratio, suspension, and tires. Yes, there were other fast car and driver combinations, and some just as fast on a given day, but the winner always had to contend with the '55/'56 Ford Bronco Stock Car #24 at Meyer Spdwy/Houston in that period.

Great job MF. An awful lot of these postings help my memory, and many are things I just don't remember. I recognized the #22 Super Modified driven by Hugh Richards, and I believe also, owned by Clay Reeves. I had totally forgotten the #31 Modified Stock Car, but I knew it looked familiar, and in those days, I knew Jimmy McKinzie. With an exception as a crew member in '85, after the late 70s, I became mostly an occasional spectator, due mostly to age, marriage, and working long hours. In any event, very enjoyable pictures and notes, and very appreciated.

I'm not trying to be a know it all, but the daytime Meyer Spdwy/Houston clips are most likely from 9/25/'66, which was the last points races held that year for the Houston Modified Stock Cars and the Houston Bronco Stock Cars. The heat races, and 100 Lap Features for each class that day were filmed by a camera/film crew. The Modified Feature Race was won by Charlie Schild in the #1 Car, and the Bronco Feature Race was won by Mike Cronin in the #24 Ford. Being there that day, as well as viewing the film that was transferred to tape in about '85, hopefully I can add some information. As for as the Modified Stock Cars, the #9 Car was Billy Perran, the #7 Car was Bill Blumrick, the #57 Car was Munson Stodder, the #75 Car was Vaughn Brune, and the #22 Car was, I believe, Jess Talbott. As for the #44 Car, definitley Sonny Upton, along with Joe Plowman in the #28 Car, Ronnie Chumley in the #16 Car, Charlie Schild in the #1 Car, Jackie Woosley in the #4 Car, and Jimmy "COWBOY" Johnson in the #33 Car, as identified. Also racing that day were Charlie Ritter in the #51 Car with the Lincoln motor, and Blackie Lothringer in, I believe, the #98 Car. Not sure about the #15 Car, but it may have been driven by Charlie Kittle. The Bronco Stock Cars that day were, most likely, Paul "Butch" McQueen in the #2 Car, Burl Avery in the #5 Car, Clyde Laird in the #6 Car, Bob Godbey in the #7 Car, Jim Koehn in the #8 Car/Ford, Larry Trotter in the #9 Car, Walter Mangum in the #15 Car, Robert Dietsch in the #16 Car, Daniel "Bubba" Remling in the #17 Car/Pontiac, Boyce Locke in the #20 Car, Tommy Medlin in the #22 Car/Ford, Mike Cronin in the #24 Car/Ford, David Shaw in the #27 Car, David Tennison in the #33 Car, A H "Junior" Norman in the #39 Car, Ricky Rice in the #41 Car, Butch Biggs in the #42 Car, Delbert Ready in the #44 Car, Elton Porter in the #45 Car, Pat "Liberty" Henry in the #48 Car/Pontiac, Norman Blythe in the #51 Car, Ed Silvestain in the #52 Car, Len Coursey in the #53 Car, Johnnie Mac Pierce in the #55 Car, Mike Court in the #56 Car, Don Stodder in the #57 Car, Billy Ledbetter in the #58 Car, Harry Rushing in the #60 Car, Tommy Thompson in the #79 Car, Roy Everett in the #84 Car, Lee Hutcheson in the #90 Car, Allan Porter in the #92 Car, and Jimmy Herrin in the #98 Car. Noted are the Pontiacs and Fords, and the rest are Chevys of course. I regret any possible errors, as well as anyone I missed or failed to recall. Also, there are some Modified Stock Car clips from another time, possibly a practice session in about 3/'66, the same day as an ARCA Late Model Stock Car event.

Thanks, your effort is very much appreciated.

Absolutely great video, but looks like about '65 to me, instead of '63.

Midget 85, Trying to save a little room here. My memory of the '37 Ford bodied Modified #5 pictured, is that Smitty drove it as #61 after M J drove it, but I was unaware that the car belonged to him when it was #5. Later, a very similiar car was renumbered #32, and I believe, was driven by Charles Danley. The #32 raced very little, and was kept very near to where I lived at the time. There seemed to be a lot of "traffic" around the residence/garage where the #32 was kept, and I seem to recall hearing about some legal questions arising about some products being distributed from that location in SE Houston. I do believe, that the #5 became #61, and later #32, but I don't think the #61 pictured with crash damage is the former #5, but if I'm not mistaken, I could be wrong. In any event, great history and keep those cars and letters coming.

Yep, probably his most famous saying.

I have no idea Jim, but it could be. However, I'm inclined to believe it is an old early '30s Ford bodied/framed Modified from the Playland Spdwy days with a modified late '30s Ford body. As noted earlier, I am under the impression that the pink '37 Ford Coupe bodied Modified Stock Car # 5 pictured after the flip at Meyer Spdwy, is the former pink # 58 early '30s Ford Coupe bodied/framed Modified that raced at Playland Spdwy in the mid and late '50s and '60, with the body updated because of the rules requiring '37 or newer cars for the Modified Stock Cars that began racing at Meyer Spdwy/Houston in '61. The Burton Team built a new car prior to the '62 season, that was the modified '38 Chevy Coupe bodied Modified that was the red # 5 Car

Midget85, I had seen this picture on your site, but I just don't remember this # 61 Car. It definitely appears to be an early '60s era Modified Stock Car that raced at Meyer Spdwy/Houston in those days. My first self question was whether or not it was the former # 5 Car that was raced by M J Burton in '61, but I don't think so. Of course, anyone hanging around local auto racing in those days should remember Curtis "Smitty" Smith. Ole "Big Smitty" seemed to stand out in a crowd. The last time I saw him was at Charlie's shop where the McDonalds is now. As for '62, I was thinking Charlie Schild drove the red & silver # 25 Modified that year, and the Cates # 1 Modified in '63, and Ronnie Chumley drove the # 25 Modified in '63. However, I am thinking that the # 5 Modified from '61 was raced by Smitty in '62 or '63, and it was renumbered # 61. The # 61 pictured is obviously a '37 modified Ford body on what appears to be a '30s era Ford frame/suspension, and somewhat similiar to the former # 5 Modified, although the '37 Ford body on the former # 5 appeared stock. I do remember Charlie Schild going over the wall in turn 3 at Meyer Spdwy in that time period, possibly in the Cates # 1 Modified, and I am thinking he was possibly upside down and/or backwards.

I remember Sunday afternoon on 9/25/'66, after the races in the turn one/infield near turn two at Meyer Spdwy/Houston. A lot of folks had left, and we were leaving, but we went out onto the backstretch near turn two going clockwise to the frontstretch/turn one pit gate, but stopped when we saw the activity. By that time, Burl Avery was down with a bleeding head wound, James Woosley was holding Jimmy Herron's Dad down, and Jimmy Herron had Jackie Woosley pinned down. Tracy and myself, verbally and physically seperated Jimmy and Jackie, and as soon as he was convinced the incident was over, James released Mr Herron. That was the filmed race, and the Jimmy Herron #98 Bronco Stock Car wall crash in turn two late in the race caused the incident, as well as the #5 Bronco Stock Car/Driver Burl Avery being DQd for rough driving.

Midget85, I saw the 1st USAC Sprint Car Race at Meyer Spdwy/Houston, and it was on a Sunday afternoon in October '59. I recall Parnelli Jones' #51 Car qualifing on the pole and A J Foyt Jr's #2 Car 2nd fastesest, and I believe, Billy Griswold's #? Car 16th fastest in a field of mostly USAC open wheel drivers. Apparently, the start of the feature was waved off once or twice, after Parnelli jumped the start, possibly with a little help from A J. When the green flag dropped, Parnelli's car had trouble getting up to speed and dropped to last place, but Parnelli's #51 Car came back to finish 2nd behind A J's blue #2 A J Watson Sprint Car. A few more laps, Parnelli might have won, but it would not have been easy. The USAC Sprint Cars did race at Meyer Spdwy/Houston in '60, but I have no recall, and quite possibly was unable to attend. As for Tony Medina, he possibly raced some at Meyer Spdwy/Houston but I'm not sure, although I do remember him racing at Playland Spdwy/Houston but do not recall the specific incident mentioned. The only announcer I remember at Playland Spdwy/Houston is "Tater Pete" Hunter.

A very great picture of a '50s era Houston Modified Race Car. Long time Houston Stock Car/Modified Car racer Norman Pierce, I believe, passed away some years back. The picture looks somewhat like the Washington Ave tire store location, but really just a guess. If 7-58 noted is the correct date, most likely the car pictured raced weekly at Playland Spdwy/Houston. I have no specific memory of this car & driver combination, but I seem to recall Norman racing a # 1 Car(s), as well as # 98. I do remember a somewhat similiar looking Houston Modified # 1 Car that was possibly red & white, that was driven in '59 by Tim Cates/M J Burton, and later by Buddy Rackley. That '59/'60 era # 1 Modified, or a new car, was brown & tan at some point. So, I have to wonder if the pictured car is the same car I remember.

Midget85, Your memory of the late '30s Ford Coupe Stock Car # 92 matches mine. It raced in the Stock Car class, and was not a Modified, and I believe it was owned and/or sponsored by Tater Pete Hunter and his radio show. As for the pink early '30s Ford Coupe bodied Modified Car # 58, it was raced in the Houston area in the mid '50s, driven by Buddy Rackley. And, it may have been a Super Modified in those days. In the late '50s and '60, it was raced as a Modified at Playland Spdwy/Houston by M J Burton. Absolutey, my favorite Modified of that era, with it's somewhat unique look. While most of those cars had the body/frame channeled, it had the body on top of the frame and the top was chopped. I'm not sure, but that car may have been updated with a '37 Ford Coupe body and raced as # 5 at Meyer Spdwy/Houston in '61. As for Homestead Rd/Houston, that sounds like Bill Breashear's place. At one time, he had a used car business and shop in that area as I recall. Somewhere on this site, there is a picture of a red/orange Modified Car # 8, that looks like a modified '59 Ford body on it, and Bill Breashear, Charlie Schild, Larry Schild, and another gentleman that I think I remember, but am not sure. It appears to be '68, and most likely driven by Larry Schild at the time.

At the races, Tater Pete Hunter's self introduction was often, "This is Ole Tater talkin attcha, I'll be doin the pronouncin". I also remember listening to Tater Pete on his midday radio show from "KTLW, Texas City Texas, 920 on your dial". When he advertised a former club on the Gulf Frwy, he often said that they "Have dancing eight days a week, Sunday through Sunday, count em". I remember a couple of his Stock Cars being # 92 to coincide with the radio station dial #. As for his lineup description, I kinda liked it. Still do.

I guess my memory is a little different. I definitely remember the line up by points, but I'm thinking last weeks feature winner started scratch in the next week's feature, along with anyone who missed the last week's events. That being said, in my mind, during the '63 season, Don Burton came from the rear in most of those features with 30+ car fields. And yes, Don had a lot of racing experience, but so did a few other drivers racing Bronco Stock Cars that year. Of course, the weeks he didn't win gave him a closer to the front starting position for the next week's feature. If you recall, we, us, they came up with a point average system later so as to not penalize the racers that raced all season, although, as I recall, the previous week's feature winner still started scratch the next week. The points average system became the norm in about '65 or '66, the way my memory has it. As for Studebaker leaf springs, yes they seemed to be a good choice. Going back to '63, prior to the start of the racing season, and the first full season for the new Bronco Stock Cars, Tracy Trotter and some friends built a '53 Studebaker Stock Car. It was stock! The stock engine received new rings and bearings, along with a Telephone Rd (Auto Parts Supplier) valve job. The glass and upholstery was removed, and another friend welded in somewhat of a roll cage. We took the rear leaf springs to the race shop on Fulton St and Don Burton and hammer adjusted the arching of those leafs. He was impressed with those springs, and I believe a set of Studebaker leaf springs were installed on the M J Burton '62 Meyer Spdwy/Houston Modified Stock Car Championship winning car for the upcoming '63 race season. As far as I know, those springs stayed on the car. As for the Studebaker, after some primer and a painted on number, along with some Vancleve tires/recaps, and new shocks, it became the # 14 Bronco Stock Car for '63 and part of '64. To my knowledge, it was the fastest Bronco Stock Car ever built on St Lo Rd.

Jim, MJ drove Lanny Young's red # 8 Bronco Stock Car in the feature the night I mentioned, and Tracy had driven it in the heat race and had hopes of driving it in the feature. The next year, '64, Tony Barcelona got the ride. The '63 season is the same year that Don Burton drove Louis Barbley's light blue/aqua '55 Chevy Bronco Stock Car #92, starting after six or eight weeks into the season, winning the first feature but was DQ'd due to illegal head work, I believe. After repairing/replacing the illegal parts, Don won about thirteen out of the next seventeen features. The # 92 Bronco was owned/driven by Thomas Minor in '64, and in '65 & '66 was owned by Jack Yates and driven by Allan Porter, as I recall. I assume it was the same body/frame during that period. As for the GMC engined Modified, I seem to recall that at Playland Spdwy/Houston, but I don't remember it at Meyer Spdwy/Houston. The Cleveland Tx Spdwy pictures of the # 9 Modified on this site looks like the same car that was raced at Meyer Spdwy, but has an inline six engine. As for the 283 Engine, that's no surprise. I'm curious as to who you mentioned, but I remember a very good running car early on, that had to be sold. Did your "friends" have any relatives racing?

Unfortunately Bill Breashear passed away some years back, after working as an official at Battleground Spdwy/Highlands for a few years. In any event, I just don't remember the black Modified driven by Billy Griswold. I recall the early 30s coupe bodied Super/Modified Stock Car he drove at Playland Spdwy/Houston in '59/'60, and probably before, that was red, # 9, with the lightning bolt. After the move to Meyer Spdwy/Houston in '61, and rules requiring later model ('37 or later) bodies, I remember Billy Griswold in a red # 9 w/lightning bolt, late 30s (Chevy?) coupe bodied Modified Stock Car in '61, and again in '62. I'm not sure, but the '62 season car may or may not have been the same car, or if it was, the body was possibly modified as was the norm among the other Modified Stock Cars. In '63, Billy Griswold drove a Bronco Stock Car that I believe was the F L Harris owned/built '55 Chevy # 29, and I don't recall whether or not he raced Modifieds that year or not. Supposedly, the Bronco Stock Car drivers were restricted to 2 years experience, but the rule seemed to get voided in '63, and the class that season included several veteran drivers after that door opened. I even remember, possibly the last race in '63, several Modified Car drivers, including M J Burton, drove in the Bronco Car feature. However, the 2 year (pro rated) driving experience rule was put back into effect for '64 and later years. Also in '64, I'm thinking Billy Griswold returned to the Modifieds and won the Meyer Spdwy/Houston Modified Championship that year in what appeared to be the same car he drove in '62. Admittedly, after M J Burton retired from driving in '64, and with my increasing interest in the Bronco Stock Cars, the Modified Car's races/activities get a little foggy in my memory about that time. But, anytime M J Burton drove Modifieds, I felt as though I was watching one of the very best, so I tried not to miss those events whenever possible.

Jim, I have a picture from '62 from Meyer Spdwy/Houston that shows Jimmy Willis's orange # 10 late 30s modified coupe bodied Modified Stock Car on top of the guardrail in turn one, near turn two. The picture is b & w, but I saw the crash and remember sparks flying from under that orange car as it bounced over the fence posts. I need to get it posted. As for the # 23 Modified pictured, I understand that to be from '65, and that fits what I remember about a similiar looking car. The last late 30s modified bodied Modified Stock Car # 53, painted orange & white, that was driven by Billy Wade at Meyer Spdwy, starting about mid season '61 and through '62, and at least once in '63, was originally Car # 55, that was driven the first half of '61 by Buddy Evans. At some point after mid season '61, that car was owned by Bill Breashear, but I'm not sure when, and I don't remember it after '63, but to me it is similiar to the pictured # 23 Car in appearance.

I remember a red & white late 30s modified coupe bodied Modified Stock Car # 23 similiar to the car pictured in b & w with severe front end damage, so I am curious as to the owner and builder of the pictured car. I am also curious as to how often Billy Wade could have competed in local events in '65, considering his accomplishments in NASCAR GN/Cup in '64 and prospects for '65, before his tire test session accident. The pictured # 23 Car is however, somewhat similiar in appearance to the orange & white # 53 Modified Stock Car driven by Billy Wade in previous years. Like I say, just curious, and by that time my focus was mostly on the Bronco Stock Cars, so if I'm not mistaken, I could be wrong.

x

Arrowhead Spdwy/Houston was not much more than a mile from Playland Spdwy/Houston. From: http://www.crucean.com/timeline2.html I think I was half way through first grade about that time.

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.

It may have been the first one he drove, but I'm thinking it was owned by someone else. I don't know if it was reskinned or a new build, but as for Charlie, he was known to check out anything Larry or Jerry drove in those days before they got in the car. This picture appears to be '68. The Schild team built a Modified Stock Car that year, but it was not completed until mid/late season. The new car was a late '30s/'40s modified sedan bodied/framed car, one of the last specifically built Houston Modified Stock Cars of that era.

When you mentioned John working on J C's Modified some of the cobwebs cleared. I seem to recall Blackie Lothringer driving for them at Meyer Spdwy. Was that the same car that Blackie was driving in 9/'66 when the races were filmed? I believe it was # 98, late '30s modified coupe body.