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Senior Moment From Russ Dodge:
A Life Time of Memories
In a season of joy and happiness based on a
birth, the reality of death and loss, directed this Senior Moment to
remembrances carried by our 3Wide's friend and contributor Jim Murrow.
Jim, in his early teenage years, along with his father, were "fixtures"
around Tom Raymer's two car garage in Glassboro, N.J. This special
"membership" for lack of a better description, that many of us have
experienced, ignited the love and passion that was reflected in Jim's
contributions to this site.
This Senior Moment will revisit Raymer racing.
Pictured is Bill Wark at the wheel of the Raymer 10A after a heat win at
Alcyon Speedway in Pitman, N.J. on May 26, 1958. That season offered Wark
and the Raymer's there place in the spot light with a spectacular year in
racing.
Photo 2 show the sportsman 10A loaded and ready to go racing while photo 3,
shows the NASCAR decals awarded sportsman cars for 1st place finishes,
"trimming" the grandstand side door.
NASCAR awarded points to the modifieds and the sportsman cars which were
restricted to 1 four barrel carburetor. Each track would have 4 point funds.
Modified owners and drivers, Sportsman owners and drivers. The 1st sportsman
to finish in a race would receive the same amount of points as the first
modified. The first 3 sportsman cars were usually paid bonus money for
finishing regardless of what position they finished in the overall field.
In 1958 Bill Wark, driving Tom Raymer's 10A, won the NASCAR sportsman
championship at Alcyon, Flemington and Mason-Dixon Speedways! He finished
2nd in state points behind Vince Conrad, and placed 5th in NASCAR National
sportsman points.
Photo 4 shows Tom Raymer and his brother Bob working on the 10A in there two
car garage located in a residential setting. Note the limited space as there
"new 11" is seen also. While Tom was the guy in the spotlight, those close
to the team recognized Bob as the "silent" backbone both by work ethic and
finances.
Success breeds expansion, expansion breeds demise! The 10A car had been
purchased from South Jersey driver Lew Mood. It had been Lew's own sportsman
ride and recognized as a quality car. (Lew built, along with Jack Stetser
and Augie Weil, plus served as head mechanic, on the "Maul Missiles" driven
by Budd Olsen). Raymer built a new "humpback" sedan with the number 11 on
his own and hired Bobby Becker as the driver for the 1959 season. Photo 5
show the new sportsman ready to go racing.
As I was organizing my thoughts for this Senior Moment, I realized I didn't
remember much about the Raymer cars in 1959, other than the new 11 car never
ran well and the 10A started to "fissile" out with Bill Wark leaving the car
when he landed a steady ride in the Tiona Oil number 64. An Alcyon program
book featured a photo of the new 11 car crashed in the trees on May 22,
another shows the 11 on its side on July 3rd, with Whip Mulligan driving. I
also saw in my research that the "Old Silver Fox"Jimmy Metzler was trying
out the 11 car.
Talking with Bob Becker a few years ago brought his feelings about the
second car. "What a mistake that was for me. If the part broke or was worn
out, it came off of Warkie's car and ended up on mine!"
In closing out the Moment, I remember the 10A as being a beautiful sportsman
that ran well. How could you not be impressed with a driver called "The Iron
Man from Barrington", Bill Wark!
It's hard to believe it been six years since I first submitted photos of the
Raymer cars.
Please take time to revisit the picture vault in the 50's section, page one
and remember out friend Jim Murrow as you read his comments about a team
that started his love of our sport. Rest in peace Jim.
Senior Moment By Russ Dodge |