Photo by numbers....

[Jim Fenton]

While thinking about a possible car number 74 that I might be personally familiar with, my old nemesis from back in the mid-seventies, Dave Pletcher, came to mind.

I know he's had other numbers later in his career but when he and I were butting heads at SS & GG he always had the #74. Unfortunately, I don't have any good pics of Dave's #74 LM (64 - 65 Chevelle) in my stuff from those days. Maybe someone else here may have one.

In the meantime, below is a head shot of Dave on a 1975 SS program listing the top ten LM's of the period as well as a pic of him in action in his #74 Chevelle at SS on the outside of Jack Caffee (#10) with Bontrager following him outside of Gill.

[Boneman]

75

Tight LM action at Hialeah: Buddy Ryan battles with Billy Barnwell (6), Tom Duckworth (25) and Bobby Coyle (237). November, 1976.

Notice that 3 out of 4 drivers in this shot are using "body english"!
Photo by Bobby 5X5 Day

[Jim Fenton]

Jack Shanklin finds himself in the unenviable wheels-up position in his #76 1967 Dodge 12-laps into the 1969 ARCA 300 at Daytona.

[Frasson118]

Incredible shot!!!

[Frasson118]

Al Hamilton was one of the all-time greatest owners in Sprint car racing. He came from being a dirt-poor farm boy, into a multi-millionaire in the coal business. He pumped literally millions of dollars into Sprint car racing, and only recently retired.

His driver in this shot, is Kramer Williamson. Kramer is also a long-time driver who stood on the pedal, but was known to be difficult to work with. He still runs with the URC in the Northeast, and still wins races.

[ancrdave]

The Furniture Row Chevy - Joe Nemecheck is out for 2009 and the team will run around 12 races with Regan Smith driving...

[ancrdave]

Driver ??? Where it ran ??? - Neat old coupe...

[Jim Fenton]

Here in the foreground facing the wrong way at Sunshine Speedway during a Tornado Feature sits Don Lyons in the #80 Ace of Spades Tornado car.

Speaking of a unenviable position, that is your's truly in the background exiting the racetrack off Turn 2 in my friend and fellow-competitor, Frank Barfuss's #73 Tornado car. I normally competed against this car in my #24 car but this night the 24 was down I was asked to take over Frank's ride.

The period would've been 70' or so. I never could figure out why Frank didn't ask me back to try the car out again after this.

Obviously, any racing expert can tell that Lyons must've just booted me over the wall because I know darn well it couldn't have been my mistake. :^)

[Jim Fenton]

Another shot of Don Lyon's Flying Aces #80 Tornado above (with left front fender obscuring the number) in this article from back in the day at SS after winning his heat race.

As is evidenced by this shot, Don was a tough, take-no-prisoners competitor and would get to the checkers come hell or highwater....

[Jim Fenton]

Always a good, fair competitor from back in the day at SS & GGS in the #81 Late Model:

Kevin Crooks

(Article below & crash photo at right - 1971)

[OLD STYLE RACER 2]

Ouch !!!!!!!

[ancrdave]

Hardy Maddox at Golden Gate...

[Boneman]

83

Gotta have a little fun with my buddy Don Heckman.
He was once a fresh faced kid who started his driving career at Florida City in this #83 English Ford. It was a little before my time, but I can imagine that Don was a "little bit assertive" as a driver. Here is a shot of him climbing out after a flip, and another of the same car on the way to victory circle.

[andre]

Question:

on page 2 of this tread, there is a white Modified with a 4 cylinders motor in it, seems to be No23,

What class is this car? Where do they race? Are they built by a company or home made?

Thanks

André

[Rick Anges]

Its an Outlaw Modified "More Info Here..........