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Photo ID # f12.24.09_011_SEN_MOM_UNK_0050S_9
Car #: #10A & 11
Driver (s) : Bill Wark
Location: Glassboro NJ and Alcyon (Pitman, NJ), etc
Date: 1958
Photographer: Bob Sweeten (top photo),  Joe Klune photos 2 through 5.
Photo provided by: Russ Dodge
Comments: 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

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Comment:

12.28.09 Marty Little
 
Note in photos 3 and 4 the car has a full windshield with the Daytona Int'l. Speedway inspection sticker attached. Wark finished 20th in the 50 car field in the inaugural 200 mile Modified -Sportsman event at the new Daytona International Speedway on 2-. Banjo Matthews won the event over Perk Brown and Curtis Turner.

Wark finished a very credible 24th in the 1959 NASCAR National Sportsman points chase. Listed as being from Barrington, N.J., Wark was second New Jersey driver in the top 25 behind Jackie McLaughlin who finished 18th. Rick Henderson of Petaluma, Calif. was the '59 Sportsman champion.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

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