Dennis... interesting to see the writer put a SSS price tag on Gene White's ex-Smokey ride with Pete. Were they really running mag wheels as the article states? I got to sse that Camaro blister the field later in the summer of 1969 at South Boston.
A very nice write-up & photo essay. Thanks, Chase.
I wonder who wound up legally in possession of the Eau Gallie Speedway Bleachers?
I, too, wondered if there were a Mason Mingus connection. Thanks, Bill.
I came across a 1959 story where Bill France and Alvin Hawkins, along with Cassius "Top" Mingus of Spartanburg were taking over the operation of two Florida tracks, Orlando Speedway and Eau Gallie Speedway.
I had never heard the name Mingus. I found a news article where he sold the City Book Co. in Spartanburg in 1946.
Anybody know about Mr. Mingus and why he'd be promoting with France and Hawkins? I'm guessing Perry Allen Wood will know this name and can fill us in, or maybe Tim Leeming?
It appears that during Prohibition, Mr. Mingus was suspected of being involved in the illegal liquor trade as noted in the court charges from 1932:
By 1947, Mr. Minus was applying for a license to distribute liquor legally:
And during World War II Mr. Mingus dislayed his patriotism with this ad:
The more I read, the more I want to know about this eclectic fellow from Spartanburg who Big Bill France was entrusting to oversee several Florida weekly racetracks for him.
It was a busy 1958 March NASCAR weekend in North Carolina. Following the Grand National Saturday night Fayetteville show, on Sunday the convertibles raced at North Wilkesboro, the Modifieds & Sportsman cars at Charlotte and the GN cars again at Wilson. Lee Petty, whose birthday was yesterday, March 14, would win the Wilson race the day after the Champion event.
Ad in Lumberton, North Carolina's The Robesonian newspaper on Friday, March 14, 1958:
Chase, I'm thinking RP might want to send Danica a peace offering. Maybe he could send her one of these tee shirts from the Petty Museum!
"Ole Blue" definitely has a better ring than "Ole Green."
Well boys & girls... for one week little Ms. Sparkle Pony painted her car blue and stayed off the wall.
However, when she got to Bristol this morning, she found that "SMOKE" had painted the GoGirl car that puke green again that is like a wall magnet.
The sparkling one took "SMOKE" literally this morning at Bristol when he told he it was "Crunch Time!"
Little girls with big boy toys and eastern Tennesse high banks are not a good combination.
Maybe Ms. Pony should stick to that blue car.
Too bad she also crashed young Parker Kligerman.
