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“The Underdog”
Many of you that attend the races
at Merrittville Speedway regularly will know about the career of
modified racer Scott Wood, but how many of you will remember the career
of Scott’s father, Lyndon Wood.
Like many of us he
caught the racing bug in 1957-58-59, helping out race teams, such as
George Winger’s #18-Jack Munn owned Chevrolet Coupe, along with crew
members Norphy Rosetto and Junior High. This team would win back to
back championships in 1959 and 1960.
During 1961 Lyndon Wood
decided to try his hand at racing, in the new late model division,
driving a 1949 Ford, along with Kent Smith. As Lyndon gained
experience, he moved up to better equipment, purchasing the 1955
Chevrolet formerly owned by Mike Zajac. The white #38 late model
evolved into many forms of various Chevrolets, but competing in the late
model division at Merrittville Speedway and Speedway Park, against the
likes of former champions Harry Sittler’s #37, Bob Webster’s #5, Ed
Leach’s #16 and Don Shirton’s #55, honed his skills.
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During the 1967 season,
the 1964 Chevrolet #38 of Lyndon Wood was a threat at Ontario dirt
ovals, but in particular capturing the late model championship at
Merrittville Speedway. One of Lyndon’s favorite tracks was Stoney
Creek’s Speedway Park, where he won many features. During the waning
years of the late models, Lyndon Wood’s #38 was a top competitor and a
fierce rivalry developed for the championship with Terry St. Amand in
that division. When the late models disappeared, both competitors
carried on their rivalry in the modified division, along with Carl Game
and Mike Granton. Lyndon Wood’s first modified was his #38 white coupe,
formerly owned by Bill Sheldon, labeled “Underdog”.
From the 1970's to the
1980 season Lyndon Wood was a top competitor in the modified division.
When son Scott decided to try his hand at driving, first in the bomber
class, then the 6 cylinder sportsman, and finally the modified division,
Lyndon Wood was there to lend his support and direction.
Retiring from
Hayes-Dana, after a 33 year career, Lyndon and his wife Sandra became
the proud supporters of the Wood modified racing team.
Lyndon is the patriarch
of the Wood racing family and very committed to the sport of dirt track
racing at Merrittville Speedway and has been for over 44 years of our 54
years of consecutive racing. Tonight we are pleased to induct you on to
the Merrittville Speedway Alumni Wall of Fame, in your hometown of
Thorold, Ontario.
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