For this scribe, there was always a certain “mystique” surrounding Connecticut’s Plainville Stadium and my interest in the history of the track remains high. “Tinty’s Place” always seemed to operate a bit out of the limelight not unlike its upstate cousin, the “New London-Waterford” Speedbowl. There were many similarities shared between the two; both had reputations as being tough tracks to master – grabbing a feature at either was never an easy task considering the colorful group of “regulars” each track laid claim-to. Here’s another great early 70s image courtesy of Steve Kennedy. That’s the great Reggie Ruggerio in his own #59, and in the #6 is Plainville crowd-favorite Warren “Elmer” Lee. This shot brings-back a lot of memories of some of my first trips to Plainville. (Steve Kennedy photo).     

Pictured here with one of his earliest open-wheel rides, Mike Beebe remained a faithful Waterford Speedbowl Modified competitor for ages. His winning career spanned a period that saw great technological strides in the sport. While it all started during the much-heralded “Coupe Era” his run as a top Modified chauffer concluded in an age of “store-bought” chassis, ultra high-dollar motors, and contemporary tin-work. He remained a class-act and a threat to win right-up until his retirement from the division. More recently, he’s been involved in Legends racing. This neat yellow Mustang-bodied mount remains one of the most fondly-recalled rides of Beebe’s career. (Photo courtesy Steve Kennedy).                  

We never tire of running images of this driver as his career was a fascinating story in-itself, though somewhat tinged with sadness. Sparky Belmont (real name Michael Belmonte), was a Plainville track champion, and a big star on Harvey Tattersall’s UNITED circuit. After a convincing victory in a 100-lap contest at Plainville in 1968, he collapsed during the post race celebration, and passed-away on the spot. “Sparky” had been a star on the post war Midget circuit before switching to stock cars. This one sees the immensely-popular chauffer ready-to-roll at Connecticut’s “New London-Waterford” Speedbowl of the 1950s. (Shany photo courtesy of Rich Belmonte).              

Though Connecticut’s Plainville Stadium was only a ¼-miler, it was a tough joint to negotiate and when the snarling modifieds took to the track, it could get a bit dicey even for the most-talented of regulars. Seen here following a typical Saturday night “mix-up” at “Tinty’s Place” are the cars of Bob Vivari, Bob McKenna, and Don Moon (seen exiting his Pinto). Take my word for-it when I tell you that these 3-guys were some of the best-ever at Plainville…. (Hoyt Photo). 

The Berndt family has a LONG history in New England modified racing, their “North End Auto Parts” cars having been driven by some of the best in the business for decades at virtually every track in the region. This nice Rene Dugas image captures one of the team’s familiar Vega-bodied entries at the Waterford Speedbowl in the mid-1970s. We’re not sure, but we think it’s either Timmy or Tommy Berndt at the wheel. (Rene Dugas photo).                           

Captured here in the early-70s at the Waterford Speedbowl behind the controls of a Roger Bonville big-block coupe is our friend New England Auto Racing Hall of Famer, Bob Potter. The ultra-popular Taftville, CT. native started his career at shoreline oval in 1962 behind the controls of a Bomber class entry. Never officially retired, he went-on to win multiple Modified championships at Waterford (where alone, he claimed close to 100 career victories), Thompson, and Stafford. (Shany photo).     

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