Reading Flathead Days

Much has been written and photographed of the Reading Fairground Modified years. But starting on June 22, 1955, Lindy Vicari and Al Gaspari inaugurated their RSCA flathead races to the Fairgrounds.

Pictured here is an example of the cars that raced during the Flathead years. Dressed for summer in shorts and a cigar, this was Harvey Richards driving suit. Driving the #44 owned by Dick Meals and Jim Foos, Harvey grabbed 3 feature wins during the Flathead years.

The field of Flatheads were made up of future Hall of Famers not only in the Modified ranks, but the supermodified (Bug) circuit of Central Pa. and the Sportsman tracks of Silver Springs, Fredericksburg, Grandview and others.

Looking at the All-Time winners list, they are Russ Smith, Russ Delp, Bobby Abel, Charlie Bailey, George Speck, Buzzy Richardson, Shorty Kerschner, Johnny Mackison, Bobby Hersh, Larry Valeriano, Hal Reifinger, Harvey Richards, Gary Wolford, Dave Marburger, Don Loder, Bobby Blatt, Leroy Felty, Allen Wertz, Freddy Adam, Jerry Banks, Smokey Dengler, Jack Rudy, Bill Miller, Buzzy Wilson, Dale Adams, Paul Blatt, Earl Hoffman,Clair Stough, Lauden Potts, Troy Funck, Whitey Kershner, Leon McMinn, Bobby Gerhart and Eddie Remp.
Flathead racing left the Fairgrounds with the introduction of the Modifieds, but some old timers will tell you it was some of the most exciting racing around.

Senior Moment By Larry Jendras Jr.

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