A backyard shot of the #19 "Deuce Special" driven by Hassell "Hass" Shropshire. Hass raced in the late 40's - early 50's at Bowman-Gray Stadium and Peace Haven Speedway.
Photo Credit & Thanks to - Mr. Hassell Shropshire Jr.
@jim-wilmore14 years ago
I enjoy your pictures, post more!!!
@robert-mitchell14 years ago
Glad you enjoyed them, Jim! More to come...
@johnny-mallonee14 years ago
ck out the spare rear laying against the fence
@robert-mitchell14 years ago
Johnny, I never noticed that before. I've been trying to make out the writing above the door. I believe it says "Deuce Special".
@shrop14 years ago
Thanks for posting this picture, Robert. "Hass" is short for my Dad's name, Hassell. This car was parked in our backyard on Mt. Vernon Ave in City View when not at the tracks. The car was red and white, and I remember the engine was spotless with red ignition wiring and chrome air intakes on the carbs. There is a color photo somewhere, if I can find it. Maybe that photo will clear up the question about the writing over the door. I also have a couple of other photos of the car, one with my Dad. I'll try to post those. Best regards, Hassell Jr.
@robert-mitchell14 years ago
Hello Shrop, it's an honor. Thank you so much for giving us more info on your Dad and his car. It's one of my favorite car photos. I've been doing a lot of research on Peace Haven Speedway and that's when I came across the photo. I was looking at the fine details of one of my Peace Haven photos when I noticed your Dad's #19 in a line of cars on the front stretch, second from the last on the inside row. You'll have to open the largest image size (5816 x 4643) here on my Flickr page to see what I mean - I'm 99% sure it's your Dad.http://www.flickr.com/photos/48793782@N08/4544118261/sizes/l/in/set-72157623700918048/ Please tell us any more info you can remember about your Dad and his racing days, and post every photo you can find! The car is an absolute classic, and his racing stories are priceless.Welcome to RacersReunion!Robert
@shrop14 years ago
Daddy did race at Peace Haven, and I attended more than one race there - sitting on the bank like in this photo - with my brother, sister and mother. I remember some of this vividly, some not so much. I remember the water truck wetting the track to keep down the dust from that good ole North Carolina red clay. It was fun to watch the races on these dirt tracks - different in many ways from racing at Bowman Gray. The drivers would balance their speed around the curves with how much they could allow the car to slide without spinning out, the whole time slinging mud on the cars behind. And most of these guys were independents, without sponsors, and were less likely to push too hard because of the cost.
@robert-mitchell14 years ago
Great stories, Shrop. I can't help but think you may just be in that photo of Peace Haven, sitting up there on the bank.Can you tell me where City View is, what years your Dad raced, and other tracks he raced at?
@shrop14 years ago
City View is in NE Winston along Old Greensboro Road between the old location of the Flamingo Drive In and Hwy 158. The home we lived in is still there, although the neighborhood has long since gone to seed. Daddy raced at BG, Peace Haven and I want to say North Wilkesboro and Martinsville - but I can't be sure of the last two. He was involved with racing from about 1949 to 1953. Strictly as a hobby, although he did race and rub shoulders with Billy & Bobby Myers, Curtis Turner, Fireball Roberts (who drove for him once), Lee Petty, Pee Wee Reece, Junior Johnson and others. I got to see all those guys race at one time or another during those days.
@robert-mitchell14 years ago
Thanks again for the info, Shrop. What great childhood memories to have. Greensboro Fairgrounds Speedway was close by and very active at that time, so maybe he raced there, too? I'll keep an eye out for his car in the pics I come across. I look forward to seeing any more photos you find of your Dad and his car.
@robert-mitchell14 years ago
Shrop, since this is your photo and it would complete your set on your own page, you should re-post it. I don't want to delete this one (I want to keep the posts for reference) unless you would prefer that, but it needs to be with your collection. I edited the caption on this one to show full credit to you.
@shrop14 years ago
Robert - no problem. Leave it here. I can repost on my page. Thanks. What I would really like to find would be old films of some of the races. I saw clips of some of the old races at BG on Madhouse, so there have to be films available somewhere. Maybe NASCAR?
@robert-mitchell14 years ago
Thanks, Shrop. As for old films of BGS (and PHS) I will be digging around about that and let you know what I find. My first thought is to get in touch with BGS and see if any are available. I'm hoping to also find some available from personal collections in this area.
I enjoy your pictures, post more!!!
Glad you enjoyed them, Jim! More to come...
ck out the spare rear laying against the fence
Johnny, I never noticed that before. I've been trying to make out the writing above the door. I believe it says "Deuce Special".
Thanks for posting this picture, Robert. "Hass" is short for my Dad's name, Hassell. This car was parked in our backyard on Mt. Vernon Ave in City View when not at the tracks. The car was red and white, and I remember the engine was spotless with red ignition wiring and chrome air intakes on the carbs. There is a color photo somewhere, if I can find it. Maybe that photo will clear up the question about the writing over the door. I also have a couple of other photos of the car, one with my Dad. I'll try to post those. Best regards, Hassell Jr.
Hello Shrop, it's an honor. Thank you so much for giving us more info on your Dad and his car. It's one of my favorite car photos. I've been doing a lot of research on Peace Haven Speedway and that's when I came across the photo. I was looking at the fine details of one of my Peace Haven photos when I noticed your Dad's #19 in a line of cars on the front stretch, second from the last on the inside row.
Daddy did race at Peace Haven, and I attended more than one race there - sitting on the bank like in this photo - with my brother, sister and mother. I remember some of this vividly, some not so much. I remember the water truck wetting the track to keep down the dust from that good ole North Carolina red clay. It was fun to watch the races on these dirt tracks - different in many ways from racing at Bowman Gray. The drivers would balance their speed around the curves with how much they could allow the car to slide without spinning out, the whole time slinging mud on the cars behind. And most of these guys were independents, without sponsors, and were less likely to push too hard because of the cost.
Great stories, Shrop. I can't help but think you may just be in that photo of Peace Haven, sitting up there on the bank.Can you tell me where City View is, what years your Dad raced, and other tracks he raced at?
City View is in NE Winston along Old Greensboro Road between the old location of the Flamingo Drive In and Hwy 158. The home we lived in is still there, although the neighborhood has long since gone to seed. Daddy raced at BG, Peace Haven and I want to say North Wilkesboro and Martinsville - but I can't be sure of the last two. He was involved with racing from about 1949 to 1953. Strictly as a hobby, although he did race and rub shoulders with Billy & Bobby Myers, Curtis Turner, Fireball Roberts (who drove for him once), Lee Petty, Pee Wee Reece, Junior Johnson and others. I got to see all those guys race at one time or another during those days.
Thanks again for the info, Shrop. What great childhood memories to have. Greensboro Fairgrounds Speedway was close by and very active at that time, so maybe he raced there, too? I'll keep an eye out for his car in the pics I come across. I look forward to seeing any more photos you find of your Dad and his car.
Shrop, since this is your photo and it would complete your set on your own page, you should re-post it. I don't want to delete this one (I want to keep the posts for reference) unless you would prefer that, but it needs to be with your collection. I edited the caption on this one to show full credit to you.
Robert - no problem. Leave it here. I can repost on my page. Thanks. What I would really like to find would be old films of some of the races. I saw clips of some of the old races at BG on Madhouse, so there have to be films available somewhere. Maybe NASCAR?
Thanks, Shrop. As for old films of BGS (and PHS) I will be digging around about that and let you know what I find. My first thought is to get in touch with BGS and see if any are available. I'm hoping to also find some available from personal collections in this area.