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While 1998 is the 50th Anniversary of NASCAR and in particular they are
celebrating it with their "new car"-Winston Cup division. It wasn't always
the most popular division in NASCAR. The backbone of NASCAR was the modified
division, consisting mainly of pre-World War 11 coupes and coaches competing
on dirt track and fairgrounds all over the U.S. and Canada. So while we
as motor racing enthusiasts acknowledge NASCAR's 50th anniversary, along
with Merrittville Speedway's 47th anniversary, both forms of auto racing
have one thing in common, that being the Sportsman modified division,
being the oldest division within both organizations.
It's hard to believe
by looking at NASCAR today that its new car division in 1948 was a fledgling-
almost unpopular show when compared to the rough and tumble action packed
racing of high powered pre-war coupes. While we acknowledge the fact that
the first NASCAR race in Canada was held at Stamford Park Horse track
on July 1, 1952, the same as Merrittville's opening day, few people remember
that other touring sanctioning bodies competed against NASCAR in the early
1950's with new "stock" cars of their own, such as the AAA, ARCA and USAC.
While I was doing some research for upcoming articles, a fledgling sanctioning
body known as the National Stars of Daytona Beach Florida, was also trying
to sanction new car races both in the U.S. and Canada. On August 18, 1954
John Marino and George Cullen founders of Merrittville Speedway, decided
to host one such event.
The national Stars of Daytona Beach, rolled into
the Niagara Peninsula literally, by driving their "stock automobiles"
from Florida to Merrittville's 1/4 mile clay oval. Some of the "Stars"
included George Fleming of Daytona Beach- the top points man with fellow
competitor Ray Davis also of Florida, as well as Ed Martin an ex-police
chief from Alabama and Dick Lunvalley from the midwest, it also allowed
local drivers to compete against them in this special event. Some of those
from the Niagara area who were entered to compete were names well known
to all in our local racing scene. They included the Garden City's Murray
Stricker, George Winger, Jerry Winger, of Stevensville, Pete Lorenzo of
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Ricky Murrell of Niagara Falls. It also attracted
a good contingent of U.S. stock car drivers, such as Bill Rafter of Clarence
Center, Len Justa of Amherst, as well as Buffalonians Tony Ochino, Gene
Blair, Al Grismacher, Bob Beck and Irv Johnson.
Why was there such an
interest in this first time event, it was the purse. The purse for this
50 lap event would total $2,000.00 guaranteed, this was in an era when
a new house cost $13,000.00 a new car was $2,000.00 and gasoline was .30
cents a gallon. I believe our Canadian dollar was worth more than the
U.S. dollar and admission for a night of stock car races at Merrittville
Speedway cost $1.00 for adults. The cars were also an oddity on Merrittville's
1/4 mile clay oval. First of all, they were stock, street legal 1949 to
1954 vintage new cars.
In many cases the vehicles with their taped up
headlights and heavy duty truck tires would drive to the track ready to
compete. Many of these cars were a variety of models, such as Fords, Hudsons,
Plymouths, Mercurys, Dodges and Oldsmobiles. As far as safety requirements
were concerned, they were minimal. Basically the drivers wore helmets
and the cars were only required to have aircraft style seat belts. Roll
bars were optional and only a few cars had them installed.
This was in
an era when the Merrittville stock cars had to have roll bars, seat belts
and secured doors. So with the stage set, it was time to race. Under threatening
skies, the new stock cars took to the track. With drivers from seven U.S.
states and Canada, the action was furious but the "Stars" regular Ed Martin
of Pelle City, Alabama squeezed out a victory in his 10 lap heat.
However,
in the second heat, also 10 laps, Tony Ochino of Buffalo N.Y. a non-regular
won, holding off many "stars" as well as local regulars. The evening was
to consist of a third heat, as well as a 50 lap features, but the skies
opened up and forced the cancellation of the event. The event was rescheduled
for August 27th, a Friday night, since the "Stars" were already booked
for the weekend.
While records show, Mother Nature was not kind to Merrittville
Speedway the event took place, I understood, with George Fleming of Daytona
Beach Florida winning the event, while local talents Jerry Winger and
Murray Stricker placed well. As with many sanctioning bodies of the day,
such as the National Stars of Daytona Beach and the Canadian Stock Car
Association, they disappeared almost into obscurity. So while we in motor
sports watch the celebrations of NASCAR's 50th anniversary, we at Merrittville
Speedway as race fans, drivers, and alumni can celebrate our 47th anniversary
on dirt.
Sincerely,
Rick Kavanagh |
