March 19, 2014 -- Tim MCKINNEY ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RACERS REUNION Its hard to believe that its been sixteen years since Dave Norris and Jerry Castor decided to hold a bench racing session for the competitors and fans from the old Columbus Speedway and 25th Street Raceway. It was intended to be a one time only deal. However, it was so well received that it simply demanded to live on. When all of the bills were paid, Jerry and Dave split the $20 that it netted. However, they were both out their long distance phone calls. Since they had no expectation of making of making any money on the venture, they were pleased with their small loss. Harry McCawley gets the credit for designating a Hometown Hero for the event. The inaugural Hometown Hero was Pat OConnor followed by Larrett Crockett the following year. Other Hometown Heroes have been Bobby Black (2002), Justin King (2003}, Bobby Baker (2004), Wilbur Shaw (2005 and 2006), Allen Barr (2007), Bob Nichols (2008), Shorty Prather (2009), Johnny Simpson (2010), Butch Wilkerson (2011), Ted Pfeiffer (2012), and Dave Norris (2013). Saturday, Jerry Castor was named the 2014 Hometown Hero. Truthfully, he probably been selected a long time ago had he not been involved in making the selection. Castor got his start racing jalopies at the Hole (Columbus Speedway) in 1955. He recalled meeting Dave Norris when they raced against each other at Greensburg where Norris got on his lid. Castor recalled purchasing a 1940 Oldsmobile along with a buddy for $20. He sold an interest in the car to two other guys for $10 each. This left him $10 to the good and represented the only money he ever made racing. He recalls negotiating the purchase of a set of Halibrand knock-off spindles and telling the owner of the spindles that they didnt have any money. The owner responded, If you keep racing, I can guarantee that youll stay that way. Through0 the years Castor worked as a radio announcer, promoted demolition derbies, ran a bar in Bloomington, and engage in a number of other pursuits. However, through the years, he remained involved in racing. A few years ago Norris decided to retire and move to Florida. When he left town, he left the Oldtimers Reunion in the capable hands of Castor. After several years at the helm of this great event, health issues impressed on Castor the need to insure the continuation of event. His solution to this situation was to find a successor. The plus in this for his successor was the fact that Castor would remain available for advice and assistance in recruiting cars, drivers and sponsors for the event. Obviously, the person who would take the helm of this event would almost certainly feel some pressure not to screw up what was already a very successful event. However, the right person was expected to implement his own ideas to make the event even better. The person who was chosen to take on this daunting challenge was Greg Littleton. Littleton is a life-long race fan. While he worked in management with Rumpke, Littleton found time to compile a history of all of the roadsters that ever make an appearance at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This compilation which was published in the form of a marvelous coffee table sized book is almost certainly cherished by everyone lucky enough to obtain a copy. Littleton next published a novel, Return to Glory, surrounding the return of the roadster to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Although the book is obvious a novel, the word pictures painted by Littleton provide insight into Indianapolis 500 and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. You can almost smell the methanol in the air. One of Littletons additions to the program was sprint car racing game for the kids including trophies for the winner. The video center included a video produced by Cummins about the history of the number 28 Kurtis Kraft roadster that sat on the pole for the 1952 Indianapolis 500 as well as a number of other popular racing videos. Probably the most popular addition to the program was the selection a Peoples Choice award for the most popular race car on display. The award went to Joe Cunninghams beautiful red Studebaker Indy Car. The car had been displayed for several years; and Cunnigham, when asked to display the car again this year, expressed concern that fhe fans might be becoming bored with it. Certainly, the vote of those in attendance proved that they had never become bored with a beautiful and significant race car. Other very popular cars with the attendees were the Chris Cumberworth midget midget displayed by his father and car owner Don Cumberworth. The elder Cumberworth served on the crew of Gene Nolens champ dirt car for many years. And, most of the time, he drove the transporter that hauled the car and equipment to the track. &nb sp; .Also popular with the fans was sprinter that had been driven by Allen Barr of Columbus. Barr, who was in attendance, has been residing in Cicero, Ind. However, he advised that he has purchased a home in Columbus; and he plans to move back next year. The star of the show was obviously the Cummins #28. Many of the thousands of Cummins employees had probably never seen the car, up close. While I have seen the car many times, it was the first time that I saw the car without the side panels. It gave a clear view of how little wasted space there was under the hood. One can only imagine the engineering challenges presented by laying the huge Cummins diesel engine on its side. Although everything possible was done to reduce the weight of the car, one of the engineers involved in the project was said to have estimated that the car weighed 500 pounds less than the Bartholomew County Courthouse. The car was displayed without the left side wheels displaying the suspension and brakes. The car was a project largely executed by Cummins employees; and, quite naturally, they took a lot of pride in the accomplishment. To me, the most significant car on display was the 1948 Brisko SIX Indy Car owned by Jim Himmelsbach. It was the first of two cars ever to be run with on board radio communication between the driver and crew chief. It also started and finished more Indianapolis 500s than any car in history. The car was originally built in 1925 as Henry A. Millers first front wheel drive race car powered by a 122 c.i. straight 8. In 1930 it was converted to a two man car with a driver and a riding mechanic running a 151 c.i. Miller engine. In 1940 the car was converted back into a single seat car; and it was powered by a newly developed DOHC inline 6 cylinder engine designed by Frank Brisko called a Brisko Six. This was basically an Offenhauser engine with two cylinders added on. In 1948 the car was rebodied to its present configuration. The car last raced in 1948; and it has remained untouched since that time. For any car to remain unmolested for more than 65 years is truly miraculous. Bob Moore brought his beautiful 1933 CRA champion car 170 miles from his Ohio home. Indianapolis 500 veteran was on hand with one his Kenyon midget. His series promises to be very active this season including a number of races at the Indianapolis Speedrome. Butch Wilkerson continued to be a great supporter of the event. He seemed to be everywhere a great job welcoming everyone and doing a number of things to make the event an even bigger success. However, he was even more helpful in promoting the event in advance. The crowd on hand for the event was almost certainly the biggest ever. Littleton did a great job of building on the base established by Norris and Castor. It was a pleasure him navigate thorough the crowd thanking people for their participation and taking in their comments. You could almost see him making mental notes of the input that he received. Well done Greg!!! RESULTS Brownstown Speedway at Brownstown, Ind. (March 15) Late Models: 1. Joe Janowski 2. John Gardner 3. Tim Prince 4. Steve Barnett of Franklin 5. Mike Myers 6. Chad Stapleton 7. Greg Kendall 8. Bob Gardner 9. Rick Robinson 10. Alex Bowman Modifeds: 1. Jamie Lomax 2. Devin Gilpin of Columbus 3. Kent Robinson 4. Joe Godsey 5. David Mielke 6. Elliott Despain 7. Dennis Boknecht of Cortland 8. Jimmy Lennex 9. Wes Leigh 10. Keith Smith Super Stocks: 1. Tyler Cain 2. Aaron Fields of Taylorsville 3. Marty Cooper 4. Jeremy Hines of Seymour 5. Kenny Carmichael 6. Jim Pfeiffer 7. Kenny Carmichael, Jr. 8. Danny Hupp 9. Jeremy Helton 10. Josh McDaniel Pure Stocks: 1. Mickey Hines 2. Chris Workman 3. Brad Kemp 4. Chris McCoy 5. Michael Cranmer 6. Drew Wilkerson 7. Curt Bennett 8. Bode Henry 9. Dusten Carr 10. Willie Sallee of Columbus Hornets: 1. Jeremy Reed 2. Jacob Owens 3. Greg Garrison 4. John Mayer, Jr. 5. Justin Robertson 6. Colton Sullivan 7. Jason Hehman 8. Austin Burton 9. Keegan Cox 10. Brian Moore
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 19:56:06 +0000
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