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| Photo ID # | M08.23.16_292_MIC_HAM_0075U_1 |
| Car #: | #292 |
| Driver (s) : | Al Michalchuk |
| Location: | Top photo - Simpson St, Hamilton, NJ - Bottom photo: Flemington Speedway |
| Date: | Top photo (pre 1975 season) - Bottom photo: April 1975 |
| Photographer: | Top photo: Peggy Michalchuk - Bottom photo: Ace Lane Jr. |
| Photo provided by: | Top photo: Peggy Michalchuk - Bottom photo: Ace Lane Jr. |
| Comments: |
Comment: The days of the #292 coupe and #292 sedan were over
by the
close of 1974. Al went to work on building a new car for the upcoming
'75 season. Al built the "small scale" Gremlin on a frame that I am
told was scaled down (maybe 7/8th scale?) from most cars of the day. Using a real Gremlin
body, and a 427 CI out of a Corvette, Al built this really cool looking
modified. To me, it was a beauty, although it didn't stay that way for long... An opening night incident at Flemington would result in major body damage on the spectator side door, requiring re-stenciling of the #292, but it never looked quite as good as it did above on opening night. The car would be Al's ride for '75 (as pictured above), '76 (painted light blue), and it's last year in '77 (painted white with black #'s.) Al would pick up a few heat race wins, and would have some top 5 runs, but never would get to stand in victory lane after a modified feature.... That lack of "success" didn't stop lots of fans from admiring him as an independent, fearless racer, that could always be counted on to put some "excitement" into the program. It was that driving style, contrasted by the shy, quiet driver behind the wheel that made me a fan of short track racing for life, and oh... by the way... is the reason for this website. |