Photo by numbers....

[Jim Fenton]

Ol' Andy was a good guy and I always liked him a lot.

Cagle was always his first choice and his go-to guy for the #97 Late Model however his out of town committments caused Andy to have to go to other options quite a bit. Heck, I even got to steer the thing a few times.

The most notable steady 'shoe' in this ride however in the early 70's was my good friend Terry Allen. In fact, Terry won ROY honors at the Gate in 1970 in Andy's #97 Late Model.

RIP Terry.

[Jim Fenton]

How can you get to the number 97 without mentioning Charles “Red” Farmer. Talk about the Energizer Bunny, I’m thinkin they might’ve used Red as their model for the commercial. One of the original members of The Alabama Gang, born in 1928 (according to most sources) he still suits-up & climbs into a racer today! Farmer never had a win in what’s now the Cup Series however he had successes in the lower NASCAR series and his short-track record is very impressive.

I’ve had the privilege of driving against Farmer a few times (WPB, NSS & Dixie Speedway in Woodstock) but will never forget the first time. I think I’ve recited this incident on here before (I have a bad case of CRS) so I apologize ahead of time for the redundancy if I did.

It was in the early 70’s (71 I think) when I ventured down to WPB my very first time for the Orange Blossum 100. Qualifying was over and we were called to the driver’s meeting in the pits before the main event. Up to this point, I had never heard of Red Farmer.

The flagman went over the track rules and finished up his canned speech with the flag colors and their meaning. When he finished, he asked the crowd; “Does everyone understand the flags or are there any questions?”

Somebody in the back hollered; “Is there a ‘Slow-Down’ flag for Red Farmer”??

I remember I was standing next to Brack at the time (thanks again Bobby for showing me how to get around that damn place!) and I turned to him and asked; “Who the he_ _ is Red Farmer”?

He looked at me, laughed & replied; “you’ll find out soon enough”.

No truer words were ever spoken. I can’t remember how many times that floppy fendered #97 Long-Lewis Ford passed me in a 100-laps but I do remember thinking; “just how many #97’s are out here anyway”?

Here are some pics of the #F-97 throughout the years;

Red’s old #F-97 Sedan, circa 1950.



Red’s coupe into the inside wall at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, 1961.



WPB - Orange Blossom 100, 1971.



Talladega Ice Bowl, January 04, 2009. Farmer hit the wall in the semi with his Crate Late Model so didn’t he didn’t make the main event. Here he is dicing it up in the turn before the wreck then parked behind the hauler afterwards. Not to shabby for 76-yrs old!

[larrytg]

97

Lancaster, NY. 1970

[larrytg]

98

Mobile Al. 1983

[larrytg]

99

Cayuga, On 1970 Howie Scannel (sp?)

[ModelCarMan]

I don't know who this in the 99, but it's during the Governor's Cup race at the Gate. The 7 is Don Gregory from Wisconsin I believe.

[oneoff]

99=Benny Moore

I belive that the #99 is long time Gate racer Benny Moore.

[Jim Fenton]

Depends...

I think it depends on when the picture was actually taken.

Steve Moore, Benny’s son, was Sunshine Speedway’s 1970 Late Model ROY in the #99.

Here is a short bio for Steve that appeared in the 1971 Sunshine Speedway Yearbook.

[Boneman]

100

All I know about this car is that I saw it in action this year at Zephyrhills, and that the driver was a true antique herself. No kidding, I think the "100" might have been her age. I really expected to see a little ole' lady like that driving the Electra to the early bird buffet, but not this racer! She pulled her helmet on and mashed it. God bless her, she really has some spirit!

[Frasson118]

Amen to that Brother!

[Frasson118]

Since we're into the Triple Digit zone, I'm gonna skip around a bit...

One of the Northeasts biggest stars of the 60's - early 70's was Al Tasnady. A big time winner, who also grabbed the hearts of thousands of Reading area race fans. He is still considered one of the best ever in the PA/NJ area circuit.

[Frasson118]

Known as "The Champ", Rene Charland was one of the all-time clowns around the New England region. Always with a cigar in his mouth, a crude comment or a pinch on the ass of the trophy girl, maybe even toss a live snake in a competitors seat, Rene was a unique guy.

Last I heard, he was doing badly... confined to a nursing home, pretty much family-less, penniless, very few visitors (and doesn't recognize most of them). This is a guy who needs our thoughts and best wishes... don't let "The Champ" be forgotten!

[Frasson118]

Possibly a repeat here, but Anthony "Goober" Scheidel was somewhat of a counterpart to old Bruce Everett down here. Never a big winner, dedicated more than pretty much anyone, and would travel to all corners (knowing he didn't have a chance to win), just for the personal satisfaction of saying "I raced with the BEST!

He was proud of all the Hall of Famers he ran side by side with... didn't beat them, but he did something that none of us has done!

[Frasson118]

An early Champion in the old NDRA circuit, Leon Archer was bad-to-the bone in his day. Seemed like he disappeared pretty quickly too though.

I like this shot for that rim-riding feel to it. I couldn't guess the track, so I tried cheating to find out. The photographers credit also says "track unknown".

Any hints or answers here?

[Frasson118]

Dave Kneisel always built beautiful cars... Coupes, Coaches, Corvairs, Vega's Gremlins, and even a Pacer bodied car.

I'm not sure who built this tribute car, but it is STREET LEGAL... talk about one cool ride through town!