| Photo ID # | e06.26.08_064_ALR_ALC_0059S_1 |
| Car #: | #64 |
| Driver (s) : | Barry Alrich |
| Location: | Alcyon Speedway - Pitman, NJ |
| Date: | 1959 |
| Photographer: | Cub Brannin |
| Photo provided by: | Russ Dodge |
| Comments: |
Comment From Russ: My Most prized picture! Approximately 15 years ago, I was given access and approval to print pictures from the 35mm slides of racing, taken by race fans Cub and John Brannin. This “untapped” source of pictures resulted in the addition of some of the neatest candid photos I could ever add to my collection. Barry Alrich tows his Tiona Petroleum number 64 sportsman into Alcyon Speedway on a Friday night in 1959. Barry, having been involved with partner on previous race cars, had Sonny Dornberger build and work on this car. “The Oil Can” as it was called by the track announcers, established itself as a strong sportsman contender in its short life span, the 1959 season. This picture captures the essence of that period! Flat towing your race car with a Ford coupe with a flathead motor! A short haul to Alcyon on Friday nights in his hometown, a 60 mile tow to Flemington on Saturday and a 90 mile run to Nazareth on Sunday night! Always avoiding the turnpikes in case of a breakdown! When the car was initially completed, Sonny wanted Barry to assign Otto Harwi as the driver. Sonny even took Barry to share Sunday dinner with Otto and his wife in their Pennsylvania home, to help cement the deal. The pact was never made because Otto would not agree to drive unless Barry had a second complete motor ready to go. Just financing the completion of the car had put the strain weekly paycheck financial resource! Bill Wark, followed by Les Farley, would be the drivers of the 64. Other drivers were given the ride on occasions, such as Al Tasnady. In the 50’s photo section on page one, is a shot of Al and Jackie McLaughlin in a duel at Flemington. Al won, got out of the car after the win and laid on the ground because his arms hurt so badly. The 64 had kingpin problems that night. Having this photo in my collection for several months, on a Thanksgiving Day evening, I was arranging photos in my Alcyon Speedway albums. I finally studied the picture closely and discovered something I had completely overlooked previously. In the blue and white pick-up above the picket fence on the right was my brother Charles buying his ticket for the infield! When I looked closer at the back window of the cab, I saw myself, too young to drive. What are the odds of my getting this photo after 40 years! Senior Moment by Russ Dodge |
| Visitor's Comments | To add your comments about THIS PHOTO - Click Here | |
| Date: | Visitor's Name: | Comment: |
| 06/28/08 | Steve Szalus | This is the newest section and is quickly becoming my favorite. |
| 06/30/08 | George Perkins | This shot and Russ's comments are probably the single best photo on 3-wide! You just have to love that tow car!!! I wonder if it still had a V-8 60 in it? Imagine what it must have been like trying to see out of that winshield at night with the glare from the lights, all those cracks and throw in some mud too, wow. |
| 07/01/08 | George Gwynn | Wonder if the tow car was ever converted
into a modified?? George Gwynn - Frederick, MD |
| 07/03/08 | Mike Shaub | I love the cracked windshield in the car. Don't see that anymore!!! Gotta love those OLD Photo's!! |
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