a07.29.04_002_SCH_SUN_0055_1.jpg (52397 bytes)

Photo ID # a07.29.04_002_SCH_SUN_0055_1
Car #: #2
Driver (s) : Frankie Schnieder
Location: Sunshine Speedway, (somewhere in Florida) Thanks Marty  (Saramana Speedbowl? - Thanks Jim)
Date: 1955
Photographer: Bob Tidaback
Photo provided by: Mike Tidaback
Comments: Fast running TQ racer and good friend of the Vault Mike Tidaback sent us this picture showing Frankie Schnieder behind the wheel of the #2.   According to Mike, he was able to show Frankie this picture at the recent Ledgewood Mall show and Frankie said it was the first time in many years that he had seen a picture of this particular car.

Wow... 1955...  I saw Frankie wheeling the #3N1 around Flemington this past year (2004) at one of the NOTARC events, so that's at least 49 years making left hand turns and I'm sure some of you guys can tell us about pre-1955 stuff....

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Date: Visitor's  Name:

Comment:

08/01/04 Marty Little Frankie was a frequent visitor to Florida to race in the winter but this photo wasn't taken at Sunshine Speedway in St Pete as it didn't open until the 1960 season. Since Schneider usually based himself in the Tampa area my guess is that the track was Saramana, a quarter-mile paved oval located in Sarasota.    Marty Little - Ft Lauderdale
08/02/04 Dominic Korzecki This track was actually in Bradenton , which is one town north of Sarasota (30 miles south of East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa on Rt. 41 for all you Winternational Fans). My father-in-law (who's lived here all of his life) said that where this track used to be, there are condo's now. He attended the speedway in the late 60's early 70's and said it was in operation until the mid-70's. Everytime I drive past there now, I'll think of Frankie.  

An additional fact about this track was that many NASCAR pioneers drove this track in their early careers. Buck Baker and Junior Johnson made appearances on a few occasions from what I was told. Also, this was a popular spot for Buzzie & gang with the "00" since they lived not to far north in Zephyrhills. - Dominic Korzecki , Sarasota, Fl

08/12/04 RaceHistry There was no speedway in Bradenton until the current DeSoto Speedway was built adjacent to the drag strip in 1978.  The SaraMana Speedway was known for a time as the Sarasota-Bradenton Speedway and was located at Little Pittsburgh and 57th and closed in 1971. It later became a trailer park and could well have become condos after that. We're talking about the same track here.
08/21/04 Dominic Korzecki Desoto Speedway located on State Road 64 in Eastern Bradenton was built after SaraMana was torn down. Like I stated earlier, it closed in the early 70's. If it closed in 1971, how can there never have been a speedway in Bradenton until the oval was built next to the dragstrip in 1978? The track was there for roughly 25 years. My father-in-law has lived in Sarasota County since 1957 and has always remembered it being there til the early 70's.  He had a friend he helped pit that ran the novice division   during his high school years. So I don't understand the previous statement.
08/21/04 3-Wide Hey guys, I'm 1200 miles north, so I can't really help out much on this one.  You guys both have provided info for which we at the Vault are very grateful.   Maybe there are some other guys out there who could help out on this one.  The good news is it's a heck of a lot easier trying to get to the bottom of this stuff that happened some 30, 40 or even 50 years ago while we're all still around!  Thanks for the comments and in a good natured way, we'll get it sorted out.  Maybe Mike (supplier of the photo) will come up with some more info for us as well.
12/12/04 Jim Bernard It was originally called the Saramana Speedbowl.  Jim Bernard, Largo

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