And here’s another image from the “Seekonk Files”. Surrounded by a gang of youthful admirers is Jon Astle during his 70’s-heydey as an American Racing Club standout. A member of a racing brood that also included Deke & Fred, this family accounts for a LOT of victories in the history of the “Cement Palace”. It’s a tradition that continues today as another generation of Astle family racers continue to be among the best at the Massachusetts 1/3-miler that’s been in continuous operation since May 30, 1946. (Mercury Photo).

If you want sheer ground-pounding speed and spectacle, look no further than a Super Modified event on the high-banks of the Thompson Speedway! Seen here flying down the back-chute (note the dirt-banks of old), during the 1979 World Series is the late Jim Shampine in his famous “8-Ball” on the outside, with veteran Dick Batchelder manning the low-groove. Both were celebrated Super Mod competitors (Shampine’s creations are widely-recognized to have revolutionized the division, with his Oswego triumphs legendary). NEAR Hall of Famer Batchelder retired following a serious crash in the 1990 Oswego Classic. Sadly, Shampine lost his life in a Modified at his beloved Oswego in 1982. (Kennedy Photo).  

It’s the evening of September 23, 1978, and the Northeastern Midget Association is on-hand at the Waterford Speedbowl for their second of two visits that year. As captured-here, it was a period of change within the decades-old sanctioning body, with the low-slung “Badger” type cars competing with the more-traditional “Uprights”. Within a handful of seasons after this shot was captured by Steve Kennedy, NEMA opted to go with the classic Upright-design as the mandated chassis for the club. On this night, it was Johnny Mann taking the checkers, with the July 29^th event annexed by Lenny Boyd. By seasons-end, NEAR Hall of Famer and 1951 Speedbowl Modified champion Dave Humphrey had celebrated his sixth NEMA championship (Kennedy Photo).

Seen here in 1978 are Waterford Speedbowl Grand American racers, “Uncle Don” Steiner and multi-time champ Bob “Allie” Gada. By the time this shot was taken, the handwriting was on the wall for the class in the way of sub-par car counts and operating expenses quickly-approaching that of the headlining Modifieds. Having debuted in 1977, the Street Stock class would take-over as the Bowl’s “full-fender” support division by 1980. In-fact, it was Bob Gada wheeling the #36 you see here that holds the dubious distinction of being crowned the last-ever Bowl’ Grand American champion. (Steve Kennedy).

A youthful Keith Eves campaigned this slick Mercury Cougar-bodied entry in Speedbowl Grand American competition during 1979. With New London’s Ocean Auto Parts as his primary sponsor and his father “Curley” as crew-chief and owner, the resident of neighboring Oakdale, Ct. captured the checkers on one occasion during a soggy season that was marred by a total of nine rainouts. That’s Wayne N. Smith in the #5 to the inside of Mr. Eves. (Kennedy Photo).

What you see here is another Waterford Speedbowl Grand American entry – well, sort-of. Following the demise of the division in 1979, a few teams upgraded their “sedans” in-hopes of competing with the Modified field of 1980. Truthfully, it was an effort made in-vain yielding little success for denizens of the “orphaned” division. Seen here in a “converted” ride is second-generation local driver Fred Sentell, who had scored his singular Speedbowl feature triumph two-seasons earlier in the Street Stocks. The date was March 23, 1980, the event was the annual “Blast-Off”, and the winner was NASCAR Modified “invader” Marty Radewick. (Kennedy Photo).   

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