@bobby-williamson16 years ago
This photo of Hoss Ellington would've been dated 1969 ( car's a '69 Talladega) or 1970 at the very latest. Incredibly, Hoss Ellington began his racing career in 1964 (at the equally incredible) Carolina Beach "Speedway", near Wilmington, NC.The Carolina Beach Speedway was a dirt pit that began hosting stock car races. Reddish-oragne SAND from the nereby Cape Fear River was the 'racing' surface. At places, it was 6-8" deep, and the over-powered race cars, looked like speed-boats throwing sand rooster tails. The track had no guard rail, just a canal-ditch separated the grand stands from the front-stretch. Hoss Ellington in his 427 powered '57 Ford was a crowd favorite, and the crowds (2000-4000 weekly) at the CB Speedway were impressive. Other favorites were Richard Brickhouse (Talladega 500 1969 champion) and Jackie Rogers (almost 1974 'cup ROTY). Hoss Ellington's crew chief and engine builder? Shedon "Runt" Pittman ( THREE TIME Daytona 500 winning eging builder)!! Some pretty impressive racing careers began at a dirt pit, at Carolina Beach, NC in 1964.Carolina Beach Speedway Photos: http://www.community.websots.com/user/doublezero100
@leanne-n-boney10 years ago
Bobby,Thanks for sharing the history of my grandfather
This photo of Hoss Ellington would've been dated 1969 ( car's a '69 Talladega) or 1970 at the very latest. Incredibly, Hoss Ellington began his racing career in 1964 (at the equally incredible) Carolina Beach "Speedway", near Wilmington, NC.The Carolina Beach Speedway was a dirt pit that began hosting stock car races. Reddish-oragne SAND from the nereby Cape Fear River was the 'racing' surface. At places, it was 6-8" deep, and the over-powered race cars, looked like speed-boats throwing sand rooster tails. The track had no guard rail, just a canal-ditch separated the grand stands from the front-stretch. Hoss Ellington in his 427 powered '57 Ford was a crowd favorite, and the crowds (2000-4000 weekly) at the CB Speedway were impressive. Other favorites were Richard Brickhouse (Talladega 500 1969 champion) and Jackie Rogers (almost 1974 'cup ROTY). Hoss Ellington's crew chief and engine builder? Shedon "Runt" Pittman ( THREE TIME Daytona 500 winning eging builder)!! Some pretty impressive racing careers began at a dirt pit, at Carolina Beach, NC in 1964.Carolina Beach Speedway Photos: http://www.community.websots.com/user/doublezero100
Bobby,Thanks for sharing the history of my grandfather