1950’s Stock Car Racing

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1950
Larry Shurter wins 100 lap feature event at Rhinebeck Speedway, N.Y.
1950’s
#216 Larry Shurter driver and co-owned with Joe Goldsmith
Lee Wallard Newspaper Pics. When Mavis cut out the clipping of Wallard she included the pic directly underneath which shows the Hometown Funeral procession of 19 year old Norman North who was killed in the Korean Conflict/War.
Lee Wallard (For more on Indy go to my Indianapolis Motor Speedway Post)
“The Winner” Indianapolis Motor Speedway 1951
O’Dell Shields Studio
autographed photo
American Racing Driver’s Club ARDC 1951 newsletter title page Fred “Jiggs Peters 1951 Champion
American Racing Driver’s Club ARDC 1951 newsletter Johnny Thomson Runner-up in the #5 Rose’s Offy.
Bert Brooks in Don Smith !st Place Ford #99.
Len Duncan in Ken Hickey’s 3/4 Point Leader #19
American Racing Driver’s Club ARDC 1951 newsletter 3rd Place Russ Klarr in the Curtis Offy #8.
Hawley Kight in the Kernen Ford, 2nd Place Ford.
Tony Bonadias in the Johnny Fray 3/4, Leading Contender.
American Racing Driver’s Club ARDC 1951 newsletter listing Race Tracks whose races were sanctioned by ARDC.
These tracks were short asphalt ovals and 1/2-mile dirt from Richmond, Virginia to Quebec, Canada.
NASCAR 1951 annual license signed by Driver Larry Shurter and National Secretary, William (Bill) Tuthill.
United Stock Car Racing Club 1951 annual registration card of Larry Shurter. Rex Records, President.
Picture of Bill Schindler, 1950 Reading Fairgrounds Speedway Eastern AAA big car race opening day. Bill getting ready for the race. Standing with his strapped-on leg crutch, cigarette between his lips, he’s putting on his helmet. Larry remembered that Bill won that day and Thomas Schmeh verified the win from a Reading PA newspaper article which states that Bill beat out Troy Ruttman, Tommy Hindershitz and Johnny Parsons.
Darlington International Speedway announcement for the 1952 season.
“Home OF Southern 500”

Darlington International Speedway announcement for the 1952 season featuring descriptions of the upcoming:
200-mile NASCAR Race,
200-mile National Championship Modified Race,
Soutern 500″ Late Model Stock Car Race.
The sidebar has a comprehensive list of “recommended by Darlington Raceway” Hotels and Motels.

Darlington International Speedway announcement for the 1952 season with a Diagram of Grandstand and order blank for reserved race tickets.

Darlington International Speedway announcement for the 1952 season including past race results from the 1950 and 1951 seasons.
Details are: the type of car, race time, the average speed and the leading qualifier. Included are the finish positions from 1st through 10th place. Winners were Johnny Mantz, Johnny Parsons, Herb Thomas and Walt Faulkner.
Vernon Speedway, NY. Official Program Mohawk Racing Association, Inc. early 1950’s featuring race driver Jerry Bohling.
Vernon Speedway, NY. Official Program Mohawk Racing Association, Inc. early 1950’s. Pictures of drivers Vernon Speedway, NY. Official Program Mohawk Racing Association, Inc. early 1950’s.
Pictures of drivers include Al “Suicide” Sanders, Chuck Mahoney, Bernie Ingersol, Paul Roberts, Geroge Gallup and Lee Armstrong.
An ad for the Hotel Brookfield invites everyone, “After the races-Stop and see Ma and Pa Rice… specializing in tenderloin steaks”
Vernon Speedway, NY. Official Program Mohawk Racing Association, Inc. early 1950’s. Page 3 shares “The Inside Story of the Brookfield Speedway” and local business ads.
Vernon Speedway, NY. Official Program Mohawk Racing Association, Inc. early 1950’s. Page 4 has the Roster of Members of the Eastern Mutual Racing Association.
Vernon Speedway, NY. Official Program Mohawk Racing Association, Inc. early 1950’s. Full page ad for H.W. Smith Ford Sales in Norwich, NY and Harry W. Smith Ford cars-trucks-tractors in Richfield Springs, NY.
Middletown, NY August 4, 1951 Main event winner #356 Ray Brown, followed by #45 Whitten and Shurter #75
1950’s
Rhinebeck Speedway, N.Y. Stan Disbrow wins 3rd feature followed by Dee Carlson and Larry Shurter.
Byron Fisher, Larry Shurter, Doug Garrison, Hoppy Jensen and George Welch saw the checkered for their races.
1950’s
Doug Garrison and Goodermote win twin 25 lappers.
Except from newspaper:
…but it was Larry Shurter of West Shokan who kept the fans on edge through the scramble.
(Shurter, starting in 17th position) engaged Bob Disbrow in one of the tightest finishes ever seen at the track, missing the checkered flag by inches.
July 5, 1952
Top: Mavis Shurter racing record for Rhinebeck Speedway. Larry Shurter in the #95 wins heat and 1st semi-final. He qualifies the #75 in the 3rd heat.
Bottom: Rhinebeck Speedway Advertising Ticket.
1952 Victory Speedway Middletown, NY
Close friend George Gallup wins !st Heat Race in his #103 V8 with overhead valves.
Avery Brothers, Arlos “Bucky” and Don compete against each other in the 2nd Heat.
Bucky drops out. Don wins in his 1950 Oldsmobile #42.
J. Romer wins 3rd Heat in the #5
Bucky Avery takes 2nd place in the Consi thereby qualifying for the Main Event.
But it’s his brother Don Avery who wins the 100 lap Main Event followed by George Gallup. It was an all-in-the-family racing night with Mavis recording the lineups, make of car, results and running time of race. Why Larry was a no-show is a mystery.
1952
Winchester Speedway Decal featuring Troy Ruttman.

1953 NASCAR License for Larry Shurter. Signed by Bill Tuthill, Executive Secretary.
George Gallup featured in the Oneonta Star newspaper in an article announcing the start of the 1953 racing season at Sidney Speedway
Victory Speedway, Middletown NY
Shurter/Goldsmith #216 becomes #75
1950’s Victory Speedway, Middletown, NY #88 Russ Dodd fan club as circled by a member.

!953, July 20 Victory Speedway (which became Orange County Speedway in 1968), Middletown NY. Mavis Shurter racing record.
1st Heat won by Bud Marl who started in 11th position.
2nd Heat was won by Ray Brown followed by #9 B. Backman, #A4 D. Smith, #521 Ray Redner and #301 Don Avery.
3rd Heat was won by #825 Bill Murdock coming from 10th position, followed by #22 Stan Dodd, #100 Montross, #75 Larry Shurter coming from 15th position and #2 Campanella.
Main Event won by #80 Ray Brown, 2nd #825 Bill Murdock, 3rd #75 Larry Shurter, 4th Bud Marl, 5th D. Smith
1950’s
Joe Campanella in the #2 is handed the checkered flag by Tex Enright.
June 27, 1953 Middletown, NY !st Sprint Car Heat won by #2 Mike Magill followed by #3 Yannigan and #2 Ben Smordol in 4:07:02 minutes.
Stocks 1st Heat won by #0Jr Baer Herman followed by Ray Brown and Mertz.
In a 22 car field the 2nd stock Heat was won by Stan Dodd from 16th position. Larry Shurter came in 2nd from 20th position, Seabiscuit and Bob Alberts finished 3rd and 4th.
Results for the Sprint Car Main Event was a win by Mike Magill followed by racers Yannigan and Olsen.
July 27, 1953 Middletown, NY Stock Car Consi. won by #521 Ray Redner, 2nd #25 South, 3rd #88 Russ Dodd.
Stock Car Main Event won by Stan Dodd starting in 10th position. 2nd was #221 Mertz starting in 18th position, 3rd was Larry Shurter starting in 16th position and Bob Alberts came in 4th.
1954
Mutual Dance and Get Together invitation from Rhinebeck Speedway and Menands Raceway also known as Empire Raceway.
front of above card


Photos courtesy of Ken “Duffy” Ovens1956 Victory Speedway Middletown NY.
top left #18 Driver Harry North, Owner Bob Muir
#59A Bill Murdock
#46 Ray Brown
#0 (?)
#22 Driver Larry Shurter with Pat Patterson and owners Joe King & Hank Kykendauf (sp?)
#125 Charlie South
Photos courtesy of Ken “Duffy” Ovens1956 Victory Speedway Middletown NY
#22 car owner Joe King handing driver Larry Shurter some win money

Photos courtesy of Ken “Duffy” Ovens1956 Victory Speedway Middletown NY
Duffy and Larry posing on #22 with autographs by Larry Shurter, Pat Patterson, Joe King and Hank Kykendodauf (sp?)
Photos courtesy of Ken “Duffy” Ovens 1956 Victory Speedway Middletown NY
Photos courtesy of Ken “Duffy” Ovens1956 Victory Speedway Middletown NY
#22 and driver Larry Shurter
Photos courtesy of Ken “Duffy” Ovens1956 Victory Speedway Middletown NY
Chas South and Larry Granger
#0_
Mike Martini #8
Dewitt House
#7D
Don Jersey #–
Photos courtesy of Ken “Duffy” Ovens1956 Victory Speedway Middletown NY
top left Bud Shank Flagger
#100
#88
#22
#71E Carl “Fuzzy” Van Horn.
Van Horn flipped the Joe King, Hank Kykendoff (or Kykendauf?) #22 down the backstretch- it was totaled? I think-
Photos courtesy of Ken”Duffy” Ovens1956 Victory Speedway Middletown NY
top left Russ Dodd and Jim O’melia
Bud Marl with daughter
Photos courtesy of Ken “Duffy” Ovens1956 Victory Speedway Middletown NY
top left Duffy and Larry
Bill Murdock
Cam Thompson
Sonny Strupp
Victory Speedway, Middletown, NY
#46 Ray Brown
#22 Larry Shurter
#18JR Harry North
S33 George Gallup
Photos courtesy of Ken “Duffy” Ovens1956 Victory Speedway Middletown NY
from newspaper ” Larry Shurter of West Shokan, who had racked up the fastest time of the evening and was picked by many fans to win, was forced wide on the first turn, struck the barrier and rolled. Knocked unconscious… taken to hospital…released to return home.” Ray Brown won the feature followed by Ken Wismer and George Gallup
Previous wins that night by
Chas South
Carl Van Horn
Ken Wismer
Tom Colfax
Larry Shurter
Larry Shurter with new paint job on #75 at his home garage on High Point Mt Rd, West Shokan, NY