Photo by numbers....

[Frasson118]

The last few years, the truck racers in the area have had to take on Scotty Bishop, from SC.

I don't believe Scotty's Dad was a racer, but his Grandfather sure was. The original "Night Stalker", Billy Bishop.

Check out the loads of plexiglass on this beast!

[Frasson118]

Here's a "Guess Who?" picture. Most of his fame came in another class of car, and is considered one of the all-time greats.

Hint: He is also famous for using the same car number (not RM1) on nearly all of his rides, no matter who happened to own them.

[Frasson118]

Dirt Late Models are a great source for odd-ball car numbers.

This one is Mike Balzano. The "E" in the number was derived from his Grandfather, who owned "Eddie's Auto Parts". The business is still in the family, but I believe Eddie has passed on.

[Frasson118]

Here's one for Palmbayer.

His hero growing up was Bobby Schnars, who ran at Stateline and Eriez Speedways.

My guy was Jay Plyler... sorry John, but my guy kicked your guys ass the only time I went to Eriez, winning both the Late Model and Sportsman features!

[Frasson118]

A cool AMC Javelin ride for Schnars.

[Frasson118]

A real nice looking ride for Mississippi's Jerry Inmon. Early in his career, he was accused of "driving like a bulldozer". The largest Caterpillar Bulldozer at the time was a model D-7. Jerry used the number, and it took him all the way to the Hall Of Fame.

I don't know his stats, but I'm sure he is well over 500 wins in his career.

[Jim Fenton]

So…are we pulling away from the triple digits guys??

OK, I give you the #2 1979 Monte Carlo owned by Rod Osterland and driven by one of the greatest stock car drivers of all time.

This is a re-creation of the Monte Carlo driven by Dale Sr. when he switched from the #2 Blue & Yellow Buick to this fat-fendered Monte Carlo for the short track and intermediate track races in that year. Dale’s very first victory in the series came the second time he ever drove this car which was at the Southeastern 500 at Bristol.

Although bulky and not very aerodynamic, the bulging fenders on these late 70’s Monte Carlos allowed for some serious rubbing on the short tracks before getting into the tire and causing a problem.





Not much in the way of creature comforts in the cockpit of this car. Check out the original bucket seat, floor pad and Hurst Shifter. Of course power steering was still a ways off too.

[Jim Fenton]

Ron Armstrong does a barrel-roll in his very first time out in the #2 Sprinter.

Sunshine Speedway, October, 1981.

[Boneman]

3

Long before the days of down-tube cages, this was a typical set-up. Larry Olson signals the push truck to fire up his TQ at Florida City, October, 1971.

[Boneman]

4

Remember when mini stocks didn't look like liittle late models? Here is a winning Renault that was built and driven across the south by Miami resident Dana Barlow.

[Jim Fenton]

Here is the #3 Late Model with yours truly at the helm after a win at Sunshine Speedway. This car was owned by my good friend Bryan Wescott. Bryan used to help us alot as a kid on the FOUR Late Model in the Chevelle days before he grew up and built his own car. I used to help Bryan from time to time at the beginning to get his car dialed-in.

Tragically, Bryan passed away needlessly from the effects of a heat stroke while working at his job operating a wrecker on a sweltering hot day in Tampa in August, 2001. Bryan made a positive impression on everyone he met, including me, and I miss him deeply.



Here are a few shots of the FOUR Chevelle that captures Bryan when he was on the team.

Sunshine Speedway after a feature win.
From left to right standing:
Bryan Wescott
Dick Graham (An engineer at Honeywell at the time and the only Yankee we let work on the car.)
Pop Fenton (Yellow Jumpsuit)
Allen Seeds, Flagman
Mwaa
Jim Grey, Program Director
Kneeling from left to right:
Ward Blazier, Sr. (responsible for the power at the time)
Harlan Faircloth (my Nephew)
Kenny Faircloth (Brother-in-Law & owner of the FOUR)



Sunshine Speedway, running a plug-check preparing for the Gulf Coast 100.

Bryan is standing at the driver’s door watching James Nelson of Nelson Brothers Racing check the plugs.

Kenny Faircloth (the owner) appears on the left in the brown uniform looking at the black car across the way.



RIP Bryan.

[Frasson118]

Even the great Bentley Warren had to start somewhere. This wasn't his first ride, but it was pretty close to the beginning of his career.

This car was owned by Ed Bowley, one of the sharpest minds in the early days of Super Mods.

[Frasson118]

Can't let the number 6 get by me here. Always gotta pay tribute to my all-time hero in racing, Maynard Troyer.

If it wasn't for the immediate worship I got for this racer, I'm not sure I would've ever gotten hooked in the first place.

THANK YOU Maynard!!!!!

[Frasson118]

Gotta slide back into the funky numbering thing for a second. Just found this shot of former Nascar driver, Charlie Glotzbach.

Saw him win ARCA races at both Atlanta and Talladega in the 90's

[Frasson118]

A restoration of the "Tiger" Tom Baldwin Coupe that he raced at Islip Speedway and other tracks around the NY/NJ circuit.

Tom lost his life a few years back at Thompson Speedway.

His son Tommy is a Nascar Cup car-owner these days.