PAT MCNEAR TOOK OWNERSHIP AT CCMP LAST WEEKEND OF A NEW TOY..HE PURCHASED JIM HEILAND'S #79 1970 CHEVY NOVA WHICH JIM DELIVERED FROM MINNISOTA..

CUSH REVETTE WRITES:We ran the 57 Convertible at Charlotte County Speedway last weekend with the new motor, we had distributor problems and handling problems on the first day Fri. Dave ,Jake and Dick worked through the handling problems and replaced the cracked distributor cap. On Sat the car was kicken ass, we managed to start on the pole and won the first race. The second race we started out side pole and on the last two laps I got tangled up with the lead car trying to pass him in the number 3 turn. We both spun out, no damage to either car. We restarted the race and I finished fourth. Thanks Kenny for helping me change out the leak ing pan at the shop and everyone else that kicked in to help. The new motor is going back to the shop to work on cooling issues I also need to install a Quick Change rear end after the Bud Shootout. The next race is Zephyrhills Feb 18, 19,&20..

LARRY LARIVEE WRITES:Was asked by a couple of people, “nice weather, asphalt track, 3 days of running, where was the 7-11?” Well, after the PRI show , it’s the only down time I get till the modified reunion in February for some PM, (preventive maintenance). Had a whole list to do including adding some much needed camber to the straight axle right front after all these years, also some tracking issues to iron out, and replacement of some cheap bad pushrods with some quality Smith Brothers units. ( found 2 bad and one bent push rod after the Charity run.) Speaking of the charity run, I must have popped a freeze plug then also since the radiator was bone dry and when I filled it, it poured out of the front right block plug. Also be installing a catch screen in front of the radiator to deflect some track shrapnel, ( or possible wayward brake pads), that’s beating it up. Lastly, we’re installing the new set of Schoenfeld headers we fitted with their tech reps at the PRI show. Gone will be the old single tubes we’ve all been used to seeing except for maybe indoor shows or promotions. If I don’t see you at the reunion. We’ll catch up with all of you at the 2 days at Citrus county!)

FLORIDA PHOTOGRAPHER GENE MARDERNESS SEND ME A COUPLE NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS ABOUT RACING AT THE READING FAIRGROUNDS IN THE EARLY 1950'S..NOTE HOW BIG THE SPECTATOR COUNT WAS..

VICTORY AND REWARD--JOHNNY THOMSON, OF LOWELL, MASS., SPEEDS BY AUSTIN SHAY'S CHECKERED FLAG IN THE TOP PHOTO TO WIN THE 15 MILE FEATURE EVENT OF THE SEASON'S EASTERN AAA INAUGURAL AUTO RACING PROGRAM AT READING FAIRGROUNDS YESTERDAY BEFORE 31,689 EXCITED SPECTATORS..IN PILOTING HIS BLACK OFFENHAUSER TO VICTORY, THOMSON SET A NEW 30-LAP COURSE RECORD OF 13:05.28..IN THE LOWER PHOTO, THOMSON IS REWARDED FOR HIS TRIUMPH AND RECEIVES A GOLD TROPHY HANDED HIM BY SAM NUNIS, LEFT, WHO PROMOTED THE RACES..LOOKING ON, RIGHT IS SAM TRAYLOR, OF ALLENTOWN, OWNER OF THE CAR THOMSON DROVE TO VICTORY.--(Times Staff Photo)

RUTTMAN MITTS CONQUEROR..TROY RUTTMAN, LEFT, WAS THE FIRST TO CONGRATULATE BILL SCHINDLER, IN WHITE HELMET RIGHT, AFTER THE LATTER WON THE 30-LAP FEATURE OF THE AUTO RACING INAUGURAL YESTERDAY AFTERNOON AT THE FAIRGROUNDS..RUTTMAN, CALIFORNIA LEADFOOT, TRAILED SCHINDLER, ONE-LEGGED PILOT FROM NEW YORK EVERY INCH OF THE WAY--BUT NEVER BY MORE THAN THREE CAR LENGTHS..PROMOTER SAM NUNIS, CENTER, COMPLIMENTS BOTH DRIVERS ON THEIR MARVELOUS EXHIBITIONS..THE SEASON'S FIRST SPEED CLASSIC LURED A THRONG OF 28,642 SPECTATORS TO THE HALF-MILE OVAL IN MUHLENBERG TOWNSHIP.--(Times Staff Photo)