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Senior Moment From Russ Dodge:
Clause (Or Because) In The Sales Agreement!
This photo of Will Cagle at Atco Speedway brings back memories of a late
friend of mine, Earl Wilson. His background in racing made the progression
from being a fan at Vineland, Atco and Pleasantville, to a stint as a
"go-for" for driver/owner Carl Grinar when starting out his career, all the
way to a very short term as owner-driver of his own sportsman A-1 at
Atlantic City and Bridgeport Speedways.
He often told a story of Will Cagle selling this car that went along this
line. Will Cagle was running real strong at Atco Speedway and one night Walt
Donald, approached Will and asked if his race car was for sale. (This is the
Walt Donald who later owned and drove the 325 and 327 modifieds. In his
younger starting-out days, he would often walk the pits and approach car
owners looking for ride by offering them an enticement like a couple new
tires and they keep the winnings, if they let him drive! Knowing this for a
fact led credibility to the story for me.) Will said yes, the car could be
bought.
He said the car would be available after the races that night and the price
was $1,000. That wouldn't work because Walt wanted the car then to use that
night. Cagle said, then if you want it now it's $1,100! When asked for the
increased "buy it now" price, Will responded, "there isn't any question in
your mind about me winning the feature tonight, is there? If I sell it to
you now for the thousand, I'll be losing a hundred dollars! The deal was
made with the "buy it now" price with the new driver placing 4th in the
feature that night.
It's hard to believe it's been 50 years since this event took place. Over
the years spanning the time I first heard Earl's account of the sale, up
until this past November at Fleming's Pumpkin Run Show, I've wondered about
the accuracy of the account, particularly since Pleasantville Speedway
records and photos document Johnny Bennett in the former Cagle's coupe,
repainted with the number 666 Jr. on it.
At Flemings, I had a chance to sit with Will and show him the photo taken at
Atco and told him the story my friend Earl had shared with me about the
selling of the coupe. Will smiled and said, "That sounds about right!" Will
has always been a sharp businessman and I think took pride in the fact he
got the extra hundred bucks! He couldn't recall it being Walt Donald as the
person buying the car but did recall that Johnny Bennett did well with the
car later after it was purchased.
Will went on and told of a car he bought off of Bob Rossell. It was a car
less wheels and motor and the price was $1,300. He told Bob he wanted the
right front wheel for the car. (He said I needed that because that would
give me a clue to what set up I would need) Bob told him that would be
$10.00 and if he wanted the fuel in the tank, that would be another $3.00.
So Cagle bought the car for $1,313! Both Will and Bob laughed at that and
both remembered that exact amount!
The memories of the old stories have carried me over the past 50 years and
I'm so happy that new ones come along now, like from the reunion in
November, to carry me into the future with the same joy.
Thanks for listening.
Senior Moment By Russ Dodge |