I am looking for a photo(s) of a #22 Gallo Wine racecar. I remember seeing it at Middle Georgia Raceway in Macon, Georgia. I'm thinking between 1978-1980 and I thought either Rat Lane or Billy McGinnis drove it and it was a Camaro. If anyone has any help or can point me in the right direction, I thank you soo much!
Seems like I vaguely remember seeing picture of this car somewhere. We have some MGR regulars here, hopefully one of them can be more help.
Member Robert Turner might be a good source.
This is from his profile:
I worked on latemodel dirt cars in the middle sixties. I was later the track photographer at Dixie, Rome and West Atlanta dirt tracks. I moved to Georgia International Speedway where I was their photographer and then race director. I have photographed for Racing News, Super Chevy, Stock Car Racing, and several other racing papers.
Here is his member page link:
http://racersreunion.ning.com/profile/RobertTurner?xg_source=profiles_memberList
I looked through most of my asphalt shots and didn't find the Gallo car. I only had McGinnis in the 11 and Rat in the 46.
Sorry I couldn't help, I will continue looking as some of my stuff wasn't scanned as I can't find a few other shots I know should be there.
Tommie Clinard and myself discussed this--we both remember Billy driving there but not Rat Lane(not saying that he didnt now) but locating him with this car is the issue. I find a yellow camero in my junk along that time frame but the number cant be read or anything wrote on the car.
Tommie was going to go through his old photos to see if by chance he struck gold, and also a couple of others said they would look. Hopefully one of us will fill your glass with this yellow wine you seek-----------------------------------------------------------------memories
Thank yall for taking time to help me look, maybe it wasn't either of them but Gallo wine you would think would be a big sponsor and would be easy to find but I guess not. Thanks again for the help.
hey we aint give up yet----be patient fine wine takes time he he he
I haven't given up, been looking for months lol
My guess is thta a local distributor would have funded such an effort.
Funny, what the posts here make you think of. The winery reference and possible sponsorship of a car by a wine distributor made me remember C.B. Gwyn of Marion, Virginia who owned the local Marion, VA Anheuser-Busch distributorship and also ran 42 races as a driver between 1968-1971 in the NASCAR Grand American / GT division in Mercury Cougars. I am guessing Dennis Andrews will remember those Cougars. Curious if any of CB's Cougars hadany relationship to Dennis' dad's cars or Bud Moore Cougars? Found a pic (with no sponsorship on the car) of a CB Gwyn Cougar taken at Jackson, MS. In later years I used to pass the the CB Gwyn distributorship in Marion, VA going from Greensboro and Charlotte to Bristol on I-81. Used to stop in Marion and eat at a little diner.
Mercury Cougar of C.B. Gwyn, the Budweiser Distributor from Marion, VA
Side note: Beer distributor and former Nascar Grand American driver CB Gwyn later owned Late Models and Busch Series cars for a couple of years driven by LD Ottinger before the team was sold to Ron Parker, owner of Detroit Gasket. When LD had various beer sponsors like Schlitz or even Gwyn Distributing, those were all cars owned by CB Gwyn, the Marion, VA beer distributor.
LD Ottinger with one of the beer distributor late models.
I emailed Gallo also so we will see. You have no idea how much I appreciate all your help and time to help me search.
See, that's what I like about this site, learn something every time I log on. I do remember CB's Cougar but do not know if it came from Bud Moore. I don't know why but I always thought it did not. I do know that Reid Shaw bought 2 '68 Cougars from Bud in '69 and Tiger Tom had one that Tiny drove in '69 that had '69 sheet metal. Lit' Bud Moore had a Cougar #1 that he ran in '68 that I think came from Bud. Bud Moore Engineering ran 2 other Cougars in GT in '69. One was #15 and the other #16. Tiny drove one and Swede Savage, Parneli Jones and others drove the other. I always thought that there were four '67 SCCA Cougars built and they were then converted to GT cars by Bud Moore Engineering. Hope to be able to get the facts on these cars one day.
Did not know that CB owned the Late Models that L.D. drove before the Detroit Gasket cars.
Yeah I know, I just figured I'd give it a shot, plus didn't know who to contact.
Tony,
If this time frame is 1978-1980 I had already quit racing and ws not going to any in fear that I would start back.
I do have feelers out for the car in question.
I hope that someone comes through for you.
Tommie
I finally got an email back from Gallo but of course with no info.
Dear Mr. Newman,
Thank you for contacting us regarding E. & J. Gallo Winery. We appreciate the opportunity to respond to your email.
With regards to your inquiry, Gallo may have sponsored a race car in the 80's,however we have no idea where that car may be at this time.
We appreciate you giving us this opportunity to respond and please let us know if we can be of further assistance.
Sincerely
E. & J. Gallo Winery
Tammy Adcock
Specialist, Consumer Information Center
Case ID#: 636192
I was looking through my pictures and found it, although not a great picture. It was in 1978 Snowball Derby and what I have read it was Red Farmer that drove it.
Found this little write-up of the 1978 race:
December 1978
Dreams Come True At Snowball Time
Dave Mader III's wildest dream became a reality in the 11th annual Snowball Derby Sunday at Five Flags Speedway. It was only Saturday night that the 23-year-old Homewood, Ala. driver was talking about how much it would mean to his career to win the Snowball Derby.
The talking was over Sunday as Mader went out and won the Snowball Derby, beating out Mark Martin, 21, or Batesville, Ark. three laps from the finish of the 250-lap race. "I can't believe it," said Mader, after it was all over. "This really is beyond my wildest dreams. It's fantastic". "Can you believe that we were running that hard even at the end of the race?" "All I can say is that I beat out one heckuva driver(Mark Martin)to win this thing. Man, this is just super. "
Actually, Mader took advantage of a Martin mistake to take the lead and claim the victory, worth more than 4,000 from the purse of $21,775. Martin had his No.2 orange-and-white camero a car length in front of Mader with five laps remaining in the race. Two laps latter, Martin's car slipped going into turn No.3 and Mader put his red camaro underneath Martin's car and into the lead for good. "I knew he (Mader) was running faster than me," said Martin."I knew there wasn't any way I could win it. It was just a matter of time before he passed me"."I hate to lose it that way. I just wish he would have gone ahead and passed me sooner." Martin proved to be a super sportsman about the entire ordeal.
As soon as both cars had come to a halt at the start-finish line, Martin was the first one to congradulate Mader on his victory. Wrecks and various car malfunctions wiped out the chances of brothers Bobby and Donnie Allison of Hueytown,Ala., Red Farmer of Hueytown, Dick Anderson of Fort Lauderdale, Billy McGinnis of Roswell,Ga., and Ronnie Sanders of Fayetteville,Ga..
The most serious of the mishaps occured on lap 188, involving Rat Land of Pensacola, Steve Burgess of Eau Claire,Wis., and Ronnie Pitts of Dade City. Pitts and Burgess were transported to West Florida Hospital, but neither was admitted. Both were treated for bruises and miner injuries and released.
Alton Jones of Birmingham, driving in place of Kasper Miles, finished third. He was the only other driver running at the finish in the samelap with Mader and Martin. Neil Bonnett of Hueytown, finished fourth, ahead of Junior Niedecken, both one lap behind the front trio. Ken Price, Jerry Lawley and Dickie Davis, all of Pensacola, were victoms of ill-handling cars.
-author unknown
Stumped at this point. Maybe somebody could ask Red.
Billy did drive the car at MGR for a few weeks. Maybe Billy has some photos. He still lives in Shakerage ,Ga.and usually goes to Gresham when they run. I am going this weekend and will try to ask him. I also think Ronnie Saunders drove the car a few times. Sonny See ya,ll next weekend.
Here's a tongue-in-cheek article that ties right in with the topic:
Walmart is reportedly launching into another new endeavor, offering an innovative line of low-cost wines to its customers.
The world's most famous discount retail chain is reportedly partnering with Ernest & Julio Gallo Winery to offer a new line of wine, priced in the $2.00 to $5.00 range.
"There is a market for inexpensive wine," said Kathy Micken, Professor of Marketing at the University of Arkansas. "But the right name is important."
Walmart took Professor Micken's advice to heart and conducted customer surveys to determine the best names for their new wine line. The top surveyed names in order of popularity were:
10. Chateau Trailer Parc
9. White Trashfindel
8. Big Red Gulp
7. World Championship Riesling
6. NASCARbernet
5. Chef Boyardeaux
4. Peanut Noir
3. I Can't Believe It's Not Vinegar
2. Grape Expectations
1. Nasti Spumante
Walmart noted that their new wines can be served with either white meatincluding possum or red meat, and especially squirrel. The retailer notes that the new wine line goes exceptionally well with other favorite Walmart customer foods, from venison to cheese doodles.
A spokesman for NASCAR, who preferred to remain anonymous, acknowledged that the sanctioning body was thrilled with the inclusion of NASCARbernet in Walmart's new line of wines.
"We can't wait to introduce this new wine to our stock car racing fans," said the spokesman. "NASCARbernet will undoubtedly be a great addition to our other adult beverages at the track, and may just give Budweiser and Miller Lite a run for their money."
NASCAR confirmed that the new wine would be available for the season's first race at Daytona.
As part of the festivities kicking off the 2010 race season, Jeff Gordon and Richard Childress, both wine aficionados themselves, are scheduled to host a NASCARbernet wine tasting during Speedweeks prior to the Daytona 500.
"Jeff is super excited about being a part of the launch of Walmart's NASCARbernet," said a representative from Hendrick Motor Sports. "Since his wine is so much more expensive, he is glad that those who cannot afford his wine can at least enjoy the Walmart brand."
Richard Childress agreed with Gordon's sentiments, noting that his wine was even more expensive than Gordon's, far outsurpassing the Walmart NASCARbernet.
But as an avid hunter, Childress thought there would especially be a market for Walmart customers who can buy not only their guns and ammo at Walmart but now their libations as well.
After the launch of NASCARbernet in February, Walmart has confirmed that the wine will be available in all of their stores throughout the country the very next week.
Walmart also announced a special promotion to further encourage race fans to sample their new wine line. For every bottle of NASCARbernet purchased, Walmart will throw in a No. 88 Dale Earnhardt, Jr. T-shirt and one AMP Energy Drink.
"Quantities are limited, so we encourage NASCAR fans to come and line up early for this special offer," a Walmart representative said. "Please be reminded that RV's are always welcome in Walmart's parking lots."
For more information about Walmart's new wine line, including NASCARbernet, visit www.walmart.org or www.nascarbernet.edu .
Yes, Billy McGinnis did drive the Gallo wine car at Middle Georgia Raceway. I talked to Billy last year at Gresham Motorsports Park about some photos of the car. He said he had some, but getting them might be a problem. Sonny phone678-672-8028
there was a # 22 Camaro that ran in west Florida in the 70's driven by Jackie McGuire. There's a pic of it on Dave Westerman Florida stock car pic site with Red Farmer in his # 97 in the picture but don't if this will help narrow it down.
I suspected all along that the car was tied to the distributor, just like the cars of C.B. Gwynn. Nice to get updated info from all you folks to answer Tony Newman's original question.
I found a discussion about Monty Myers of Tallahassee at the racing web site www.realracinusa.com under the topic Long Lost Florida Speedways : Click on postings to enlarge -
This is the David Allio photo Bill McPeek mentioned above posted at Dave Westerman's Florida Stock Cars site of Jackie McGuire in the #22 Camaro in the 1981 Snowball Derby at Pensacola's Five Flags Speedway:
The #22 finished 19th that day in the 1981 Snowball Derby won by Freddy Fryar. Look at the names in results of that event. What a lineup!
1. Freddy Fryar
2. Jerry Lawley
3. Ronnie Sanders
4. Carl Williford
5. Mickey Gibbs
6. Junior Niedecken
7. David Rogers
8. Russell Nelson
9. Red Farmer
10. Alton Jones
11. Jody Ridley
12. Rusty Wallace
13. Darryl Sage
14. Jack Ingran
15. Jerry Sisco
16. Stanley Smith
17. Mark Martin
18. Herman Smith
19. Jackie McGuire
20. Craig Spetman
21. Billy McGinnis
22. Davey Allison
23. J.D. Hughes
24. Boyd Franklin
25. Donnie Bishop
26. Joey Myers
27. Donald Watson
28. Gary Balough
29. Phillip Grissom
30. Lake Speed
31. Mike Alexander
32. Don Smith
33. Ronnie Brodway
34. Bill Elliott
35. Bobby Allison
36. Dalton Corlett
I just saw all the other posts and thank yall for all the info that helps a lot!
