Time Travelers

This Senior Moment I'm titling time travelers. After viewing this beautiful black and white photo taken at the Interstate Stock Car racing Association banquet in 1955, I thought it may be interesting to trace the direction followed in life of those pictured. This is not intended to be complete biographies but simply over views, using my recollections and current info available on the internet.

Romeo Gelsi on the right and his partner Jules "Toots" Armellini hold their 1st place Modified Championship Trophy earned at the new Vineland Speedway in 1955. Their car, driven by Al Tasnady, carried the number 44, a number which continued to be used by Al at times throughout his career. Romeo actually started the line of 44 cars a couple years before and drove for a while. Romeo wasn't afraid of the gas pedal and after a "tuff learning curve" he placed more experienced drivers Bernie Hart and Chic DiNatale, behind the wheel. Romeo raced at Atco, Pleasantville and Alcyon Speedways with his car. As the opening of the new local Vineland Speedway approached Romeo, along with a new racing partner Toots Armellini, a new coupe was built with Pa. veteran driver Ken Wismer as the intended driver. However a last minute change place a young rising star named Al Tasnady in the seat.

Romeo, it should be noted was also responsible for fielding a pair of 1956 Ford late models, a #2 car for Frankie Schneider and a #44 for Al Tasnady. Romeo phased out of stock car racing that year and the 44 number was passed on to another Vineland car owner Neal Williams. Romeo Gelsi then concentrated on his Gelsi Trucking, developing that into a very successful business. Romeo's son Bob founded and developed Gelsi's Mustang World, which specializes in Ford Mustang parts and award winning caliber restorations. Bob also was instrumental in an effort to develop East Coast Truck Racing, starting back in the late 90's.

A side note to friends of the "Old Master". Ask Frankie about his friend Romeo. I believe Frankie raced out of his garage for a period of time then and looks back at that time with great memories.

Toots Armellini, along with his wife, had started a flower transport business hauling flowers from South Jersey into New York. They started with one truck and a barn for a terminal in 1945. When this photo was taken, he had added deliveries to the New England states.

Toots' involvement in racing ended basically ended at the end of the 1956. The demands of his business was requiring his full attention. By the early 60's Armellini had moved his headquarters to Florida in the heart of the flower growing region and started hauling flowers daily to New York and north. He help design and develop refrigerated trailers specifically built to promote air circulation when hauling flower boxes.

Armellini Industries today is made up of many businesses: Armellini Express Line Inc., J.A. Flower Service Inc., Fresco Services Inc. and NorthStar Transportation Inc. Toots' family still keeps their businesses at the leading edge in their field of expertise. For more information check out http://www.armellini.com/corporate_overview.html   

Dick Werchan earned rookie of the year at the new Vineland Speedway driving for car owner Neal Williams. Driving Neal's first and only orange 717, Dick finished second in sportsman points. All of the 717's after the first car were black with orange trim. In 1957 Elton Hildreth took over the 717, and Dick fielded his own 96 car for a while.

Dick was a heck of a nice guy with a great sense of humor. I asked him about the first 717 which carried a "Laird's Apple Jack" ad on the side. He said, "that was a joke. We had a period of time when we hung out at the old Grove Tavern in Vineland and drank apple jack, so we painted it on the car!" Dick had a egg business which transported eggs to Philadelphia from Vineland, which was in the heart of chicken country back then. Later he had his own construction business. His career was short, about 3 years, but he thought enough of that time in his life that he enjoyed attending racing reunions when he could.

Neal Williams was an active car owner from basically 1955 until 1960. In that 5 year period he established a name and reputation that is still remembered today. Neal Williams took over the 44 number and car in 1957 when Gelsi and Armellini ended their direct racing activities. He kept Al Tasnady in the red 44 as his driver with the exception of the last two month of the 1957 season and all of the 1958 schedule. Using 1957 NASCAR champ Ken Marriott to finish that season and veteran Ralph Smith in 1958. He also fielded the 717 for Elton Hildreth and a #717, 1956 Mercury late model for Hildreth and Tasnady to use.

Neal's cars were always fast, usually sharp appearing and set a standard of consistency for winning. Tas at Alcyon, Flemington and Nazareth, Ralph Smith particularly at Alcyon and Middletown.

Neal sold his car to Sterling Lerch in 1960, who continued to field the 44's for Tasnady until 1962. Neal passed away at a relatively early age, but today the name is carried on by his grandson, Neal Williams, at the wheel of the Williams 44. Williams Auto & Truck Parts is still in business today operated by Neal's son Ronnie. in Pittsgrove, N.J (close to Vineland)

Dom Battelini, along with his friend Haig Avakian, fielded a car numbered 72. The gray and red sportsman won the 1955 sportsman title at Vineland Speedway with Bill Hill at the wheel. A visit to the Battelini web site shows the garage used to house the car. The same garage, only larger by additions , is still used for the Battelini towing business. Dom carried on the family garage business which started in 1926.

Today the business continues on by supplying flat beads and wreckers for extremely heavy work. Check out the web site for interesting details. http://www.battelinistowing.com/
 
Dom was another local racer who became involve as a car owner when a new local speedway open and left the sport after a few seasons, setting a notable mark while they were involved.

Haig Avakian was partners with Dom Battlelini on the 1955 sportsman championship car. My knowledge of Haig Avakian is limitedl He passed away at a very young age and I never met him. Veteran Vineland stock car owner Tony Ruberti, while reviewing my Vineland photos, made comment about what a nice gentleman he was and how great deal of sadness resulted from his untimely passing.

Al Tasnady holds his 1955 championship trophy. I could write volumes on his accomplishments in his two decades of racing. It's just neat to see him at the age of 26, still young in his career. Al was one of the very best and we'll leave it at that!

I know that this memory will have perhaps limited appeal compared to some of the materials and photos submitted, but I want to get it out in cyber space or where ever this electronic stuff ends up! They say once it is created it ends up stored somewhere! These memories may be starting on an eternal journey. After all they've made it 55 years already! LOL

Comment: