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One Liners From Racing!
While trying to reach my good friend by phone today, a smile came to my
face as I recalled a couple “one liners” he told me as we traveled to the
races together, over the years.
The large photo was taken of Herby Schoch with the Tiona Petroleum 64, which
he ran in 1958. Being of legal driving age in this photo, we go back a
couple years to Alcyon Speedway for his first “one liner” Growing up in
walking distance of the track, Herby started sneaking into the speedway in
his early teens. Being somewhat of a “free spirit” or what some may call
reckless young teenager, he carried a helmet with him as many drivers did,
in case a ride would open up.
A friend approached Herby and told him that the owner of the 659 was looking
for Steve Elias. You guessed it! Herby hot footed it to the car and saw Tom
Skinner and inquired, “I HEAR YOU’RE LOOKING FOR STEVE ELIAS”. Tom,
apparently not knowing Steve replied, “Do you want to drive my car?”
Tom instructed his “new” driver to never shut the engine off without letting
it idle down first. It was in his heat the Herby got sideways, locked the
wheels, stalled the engine and lost his ride!
“He never asked if I was Steve Elias! I just told him I heard he was
looking for him!”
Eight years later Herby towed into Trenton Speedway with a brand new Bill
Stroppe built Starliner Ford. In the warm-ups Herby spun out several times
trying to get the handle on the car. Elton Hildreth, who won a
modified race at Trenton in 1960, saw Herby having problems and felt he
would like to drive the car! Knowing Herby only casually from when they
raced together at Vineland Speedway, Elton approached his good friend and
USAC official Frank DelRoy. After explaining the situation with Frank, they
went down to Herby’s pit where DelRoy would intercede for Elton to get the
ride.
After Elton introduced DelRoy to Herby, Frank asked, “How long have you been
driving late models” To which Herby replied, ”I DON”T KNOW, WHAT TIME IS
IT?”
The third one liner came from the mouth of stock car driver Bill McCort.
Bill raced in South Jersey during the 1950’s. At Atco one night he had the
misfortune of going over the 1st turn fence and ended up flying into the
pits. When asked what he did or what went through his mind he replied, “I
saw I was going to land in the pits and I was worried about hitting someone,
so I TRIED TO BLOW THE HORN!”
What a natural reaction but funny line!
I hope you find a little humor in these true tales. Thanks for Listening.
Senior Moment by Russ Dodge |
