| Photo ID # | 05.25.03_659_MOS_ALC_0058_1 |
| Car #: | #659 |
| Driver (s) : | Sal Moschella |
| Location: | Alcyon Speedway - Pitman, NJ |
| Date: | 1958 |
| Photographer: | Bob Sweten |
| Photo provided by: | Russ Dodge |
| Comments: | (Comments provided by Russ Dodge): Pleasantville, N.J. driver Sal Moschella, flashes a big smile after winning the feature event at Alcyon Speedway on May 23, 1958. Following Sal to the checkered were Al Tasnady, Otto Harwi, Bill Wark and Bob Wiesemeyer. The first driver ever to sit behind the wheel of the famous Tom Skinner GMC powered race car was Henry Doerr. Parker Bohn is remembered as the driver by most fans who saw the potent 6 cylinder run. This is a Bob Sweeten photo. Thanks, Russ Dodge |
| Visitor's Comments | To add your comments about THIS PHOTO - Click Here | |
| Date: | Visitor's Name: | Comment: |
| 05/27/03 | REGLIB | Russ, Correct me if I'm "pipe dreaming" but wasn't Sol Moschella the one who won a feature at Alcyon one night in the #659,when his throttle was sticking thru most of the feature and would use the outside fence to keep himself straight as he would exit each turn? |
| 05/29/03 | Jim Murrow | Yes, REGLIB, that was Sal. There is a picture in the Vault, ( on page 10 of the 60s section ) , of Parker Bohn in this car. I had written a comment to that picture a couple weeks ago, concerning Sal Moschella having driven the car in the 50s, that read, in part, "...I only remember it winning the feature once, against the fuel injected overhead V8 Modifieds at Alcyon. That night, the throttle stuck wide open, and Sal had to kill the ignition going into each corner, and switch it back on coming out. Maybe they should have rigged it that way permanently! " |
| 06/05/03 | Todd J | Sal won a vintage meet at I believe NES
a few years back. The night before Harry McConnel wheeled the very same car to a win
at BPort... Or maybe it was vice versa, or maybe even a week or two in between the
events... I believe it was a primer #3 coupe??? I have often heard that Sal was the "bad guy," meaning he wouldn't think twice about hitting someone?! I guess he was one of the only local URC competitors in the Atlantic County area, until Jimmy "Chump" Wyers took a try at the series in 2002 (I think maybe Rich Bates from Mayslanding, NJ might have ran URC as well???).. |
| 06/12/03 | Russ Dodge | Sal Moschella left stock cars for a period of time in the early 60's. In 1961 he was URC rookie of the Year. If people were aware of his life story, his "tough guy" demeanor would be well understood. He served in combat in WWII in the South Pacific, enlisting at the under age of 15! My personal opinion, is that he had darn good talent for sprint cars. He knows today, looking back, that the attitude he carried out of the race car, cost him a chance at Indy. Being around for 3/4 of a century has mellowed Sal a great deal making him fun to talk to about the old days. He still resides on Collins Ave. in Pleasantville, where he's been most of his life. Myself, very pleased to call him a friend. Thanks, Russ Dodge |
| 07/18/03 | Jim Murrow | Maybe Russ can answer a question for me. I the late 50s, when Sal ran Alcyon in this car, there was a rumor that Sal had suffered a head injury in the war, and had a steel plate in his head. The rumor went on to say that, because of this, he would occasionally black out. Of course, the worry was that it might happen in a race. Any truth to this rumor? Thanks, Jim Murrow |
| 07/28/03 | Mike | I am Sal's grandson, and to my knowledge, he has never had a steel plate in his head. |
| 11/06/03 | Ken Tate | I was there the night Sal won Alcon Speedway.
The track was very tacky and Sal was the only one to pick the right rear
gearing. Noone could get near him. My Dad pit crewed for Stubers #210 -
Driver Bobby Becker. The Day Was A Rainy Mess About 2 pm the rain stopped we didn't think the races would be held . But We Loaded the stock car and went to the track . (Stubers 210 Bobby Becker) When we pulled the pits in Al Tasnady #2 was on our left and 659 Sal Was On our Right . The Track Was a stickier Mess. There was a Question Weather to Race Or Not. They Brought the grader and roller to try to dry her out . By Seven It Was Decided To Run the Race. We Ran The heats And The Consolation Race The Track Had Improved But It was Still Stickier. The Race Teams Were Having Trouble Getting A Good grip on the track . Clay is Stickier On One Hand And Slick On The Other . So The Feature starts And Away Goes Sal in His Chevy Coupe . The crowd went crazy here was a six cylinder running away front the field. the big V8's could not grip the track, but Sal had the right combination and away he went. Down the straightaway he came no one could get near him each lap he was going away. then he came down the straightaway and his throttle stuck open . so as he enters turn one the nut turns off his ignition as he needs power he turns on the switch which gives hin power, but also fire. By now the Crowd is Beside it's self the car 659 is on fire for about a half a lap then out for about the same . The flag man wants to black flag Sal, But Every time he picks up the flag the fire goes out and every time he changes his mind the fire is back . I Believe this went on for 4 laps and Sal Won The Race . have no idea who came in second. After the Race I Went To Help Load up Equipment For Our Team 210 Bobby Becker. Bobby And Sal Were Standing There Talking being only 12 or 13 I stood there taking it all in . Sal Was Showing Bobby His Right Shoe it was burnt to a crisp. So This was the night Sal Burned Up The Track in 659 And He burned Too. Kenneth Tate |
| 11/29/03 | Steve Elias | Just a little information about Sal. His head injury was not from the war but happened in an accident at Atco Speedway. It was a spectacular accident and Walt Chernokal got several photo's of it and was photographer of the year for those photo's. Walt probable still has copies of the pictures and would look great in the vault. How I know all this is that Sal stayed at my house after leaving the hospital. |
| 11/29/03 | 3-Wide | It was good to see Sal at the South Jersey Speedway Reunion event held near Elmer, NJ this year (2003) but on by Ralph Richards. |
| 04.16.13 | Betty |
Hello!! Does anyone know if Sal is still alive? I know he would never let anyone know his REAL age. LOL He was one of a kind for sure!! If anyone speaks to him please tell him Betty from Mays Landing said hello.... |
| 04.16.13 | 3Wide | Heard he just had a birthday his 86th birthday yesterday (4/15/13) |
|