Before graduating to the Modifieds, Walt Dombrowski had claimed the 1963 Speedbowl Bomber championship. The transition was a smooth-affair, with Walt scoring his first checkers in Waterford’s headlining division in 1966. Having secured a seat in the potent L&M coupe, he handily nailed-down the Modified title in 1970. This shot sees Walt “in the office” during the late-1960’s. (Shany Photo).

 Admittedly, we don’t know much about driver Dave Spence, but we sure like his ultra-sanitary little coupe! Seen here during what looks to be the early 1970’s, note that Dave’s car carries a 3-digit number. It was a style practice common to Waterford long-after one & two digit schemes had become the norm at other area raceways. Throughout its early history, the shoreline oval always seemed to march to the beat of a different drummer in that regard. There were an abundance of multi-digit and “letter” cars, such as the Slater V8, the Bunnell #318, Freddie Beaber’s checkerboard #716’s, and the “M” cars of Bill Scrivener & Seabury Tripler. It’s a long-list! (Shany Photo).   

Unlike the aforementioned Mr. Spence, we do know a bit about the career of this fellow. Known as “Gentleman Dick” Watson as well as “The Silver Fox”, the late Watson was inducted into the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2003. Dick began and ended his career at Waterford. From that first race in 1953 until his retirement in 1976, he competed at tracks across New England including; West Haven, Plainville Stadium, Lonsdale, Seekonk, Langhorne (dirt & paved), Norwood Arena, Thompson Speedway, & Stafford Motor Speedway. His first victory came at Plainville Stadium. Among his most notable rides were the Bob Garbarino #V-4“Mystic Missile” and the Congdon #76 as seen-here. In 1966 he moved to the NASCAR Modified circuit, winning the Thompson World Series. He scored top-ten point finishes at Thompson in 1966 and '67, and at Stafford in '67 and '68 competing against some of the very best drivers of the era. Dick also competed in several Grand National (now known as Sprint Cup) events. In 1969, at the Thompson 200 he was running fifth on lap 180, with eventual winner David Pearson, when a mechanical failure forced him out of the race with an 11th place finish. In 1972 he returned to Waterford, again experiencing great success at his old haunt. Dick hung up his helmet after a violent crash during a qualifying heat at the shoreline oval in 1976, where he suffered a concussion, lower back injuries, and several broken ribs. (Shany Photo).      

 Like Watson, the racer you see here traces his roots back to the Waterford Speedbowl. Simply one of the best New England Modified drivers to have ever strapped-in behind the wheel, listing the career accomplishments of Bob Potter would take much-more than my space here allows. He started in the Bombers at Waterford in 1962, and before it was over decades-later (though he’s never officially-retired), he’d claimed 11 championships and an estimated 140 features at Stafford, Thompson and Waterford. Nearly 100 of those victories and 6 championships came at Waterford. Celebrating yet-another victory, Bob is seen here in 1972 with Bowl’ flagman Lou Mazzocci. (Shany Photo).  

Here at “Racing Through Time” we’ve always made an effort to showcase racers of all accomplishment levels, not just the big winners. After-all, while there can be only one victor, that’s not-to-say that the rest of the pack wasn’t trying just as hard to grab that elusive checkered flag. Lee Hardy was a journeyman Modified racer at the Speedbowl for much of the late-60’s and early-70’s, recording a number of decent finishes in the process. His equipment was often somewhat-less than that of the top teams, but he remained competitive all-the-same. His last-drive coming during the 1974 campaign, he’s seen here with an early-version of his familiar #88. (Dugas Photo).      

And here’s a 1960’s shot of a racer commonly referred-to as “The Old Master.” New Jersey native and dirt track specialist Frankie Schneider began his career in 1947 by winning $70 for driving his street car to a seventh place at New Jersey’s Flemington Speedway. Schneider is believed to have won at least 750 races in the next thirty years. He routinely raced eight races per week (in several classes). He reportedly scored at least 100 wins in 1958. Schneider won the Langhorne National Open, the country's most noted event for Sportsman and Modified racers, in 1954 and again in 1962. Among the many accolades and awards bestowed upon Schneider was being voted “Driver of the Century” by Area Auto Racing News. Until a few seasons-ago, he occasionally campaigned a Modified at Middletown New York’s Orange County Speedway. (Grady Photo)

That's it for this week. Email me at: foreveryounginct@gmail.com