03.17.03_030_McN_EWS_0060_1.jpg (55772 bytes)

Photo ID # 03.17.03_030_McN_EWS_0060_1
Car #: #30
Driver (s) : Mike McNamara
Location: East Windsor, NJ
Date: 1960's
Photographer: Ace Lane   ( www.acelanephotography.com )
Photo provided by: Mark Yaple
Comments: I'm pretty sure that in the 70's, Mike drove a silver #8x Modified that looked way ahead of it's time.  I always thought Mike was a real innovator and remember him running away with a Modified feature at Windsor or Flemington in the mid 70's only to have the car break in the late going.
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03/18/03 Mark Yaple Mike started his career in a former Bucky Barker 8X and picked up several rides including the Joe Sidote #30 pictured above, and even piloted the famous Fireball #99 of Sam Batista a few times. Unfortunately, Mike was seriously injured in the silver 8X and was seen around the racetracks very little after that. 
03/18/03 3 Wide Mark - I think you are right as I remember meeting Mike's son during a sales call back in the late 80's. I stopped at the facility in Woodbridge, NJ where they serviced Bell Telephone trucks and the manager introduced himself as Mike McNamara. Of course I immediately told him that I remembered a guy with the same name that used to race at Flemington and East Windsor and he told me that was his dad. I don't know much about the injuries but I have a way of blocking bad stuff like that out. 
02/27/04 Mike Mc Yes it is a very small world!!  I do remember meeting you in Woodbridge, I had a pic of Dad and Sammmmmmmy Beavers on the wall, and when I told you my name, you started yapping about all kinds of things about both of them. I had a small photo album there and when you looked at it and said Ray Liss, Al Michalchuck, Doc San Fillipo, Scarpati, Hartman, etc.......it was very clear that you knew what you were talking about.

I stumbled across your website tonight and thought it was FANTASTIC!!! 

Talk about memories......My Dad ran the Modifieds at Flemington from 1968 to June of 77 when he broke his neck coming off of turn 4. His left front went over the right rear of Carl Van Horn's yellow #71 and that was that. He survived that crash but, gave in to heart failure in Nov 2001.  Dad was great friends with Mike Grabac, and Stan Ploski...those guys knew how to have a good time.

02/27/04 3-Wide Thanks for leaving your comment above.  I wasn't at Flemington the night your dad got injured, but I do remember him and his car.  I'm not sure, but I think he may have friends with a Sportsman runner named Gary Kolenz who when not racing sat up in the first turn near us and I think Mike used to sit with Gary once in a while.  Did he have one of those cool suede hat's that were kinda popular back in the early - mid 70's?

My memories of your dad were that of an independent driver who didn't run every week, but when he was there, his stuff was always really innovative, cutting edge and very competitive. 

02/28/04 Mike Mc Who is this Mark Yaple guy??????   He really knows his shi? too!!!  I don't know if you can share e-mail address stuff but, I would like to get in touch with him..... got a few Q's he would probably like.  Also, you were wrong on one thing...  my Dad was there EVERY WEEK! 

Back in those days it was Bridgeport on Thursday, Windsor on Friday, Flemington on Saturday, and Windsor again on Sunday. What a schedule.  As long as we didn't wreck the car too bad  that night..... we were in the show the next day.   I had to get permission from school to go to the races on Friday (how cool is that)...

We built quite a few cars that  are in the Vault...That reallly blew me away.  Mike

11/01/05 J.SPIVEY MIKE , I HAVE A PICTURE OF YOUR DAD STANDING NEXT TO A CAR HE DROVE FOR MY DAD AT E. WINSOR AND FLEMINGTON. THE CAR WAS THE 600. YOUR DAD WAS A REAL FUNNY GUY TO BE AROUND. A REAL CLASS ACT . THIS WEB SITE BRINGS BACK A LOT OF FUN TIMES.  I WISH MY DAD WAS STILL ALIVE TO SEE ALL THESE COOL PHOTOS. 
(Mike, in 1972 your dad drove a modified for my father the car was the #600.  He drove for us for a couple of yrs. a real good guy. I have a picture of your dad and the pit crew at E. Windsor.  You can e mail me at       jls600@aol.com .  As you can see, I never let go of the car number.
- THANKS -  J.SPIVEY - SPIVEYS SPEED SHOP 600
     
     
     

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