Who are these guys

[Bill W.]

This was sent to me by a friend . Could be from Pacific Mo. Anybody recognize these cars ?IMG002238 (1).jpg It looks like the blue one has a BB hood and slicks . I cant tell the year .

[Joe R.]

Re: Who are these guys

Hi Bill,

I can't help with your question. I did love the picture, though! I'm curious, is there a drag strip in Pacific or was there one at one time?

Joe

[Bill W.]

Re: Who are these guys

Joe its long gone as is most of the Mo. drag strips . You can see a few pictures on the net .

[Jerry M.]

Re: Who are these guys

Bill/Joe

I worked at Pacific Dragstrip in '63/'64, but I don't recognize these cars off hand. Can't be certain photo is from Pacific or not. The strip was originally financed by Glennon Engleman, DDS, who has a very interesting history as detailed on various on-line sites (some of which mention happenings at the dragstrip).

The AHRA sanctioned strip was originally 1/4 mile, but after the tower was blown up in '64(?) the strip was shut down and later purcheased by another party and re-opened at 1/8 mile with the tower located behind the start line (with room for staging, etc.) looking down the strip. Some of the more famous participants at the strip were Curtis Watson (record holder '62 Corvette blown gasser, the "Original Back-up Pickup", and the Bradshaw brothers' Mopar funny cars. One of my fondest memories is a grudge match between Watson's '62 and the Bradshaw brothers altered wheelbase, Hilborn injected '65 Dodge(?). It was the dawn of the funny car era and the two cars had different approaches to low ET's. The Mopar literally LEAPED from the starting line while the '62 had trouble hooking up. By the end of the 1/8 mile, Watson's '62 had blown by the Mopar.

Those were the good old days.

Jerry

[Bill W.]

Re: Who are these guys

Jerry I dont know for sure what track it is . The friend that sent me the photo thought it was Pacific . There were quiet a few tracks in the St. Louis area in the 60s . Do you remember a Maroon 65 BB conv. that was only used for racing until 1968 . Original owner & driver was Bob Rosser from Crestwood Mo. 2nd owner Dale Barnhart from Catawassa Mo. 3rd owner Larry Calloway from StLouis 4th owner George Greeney from Houston Mo. Then me in 1980 .

[Jerry M.]

Re: Who are these guys

Bill
Sorry, but I don't recall off hand your maroon '65 or the owners you mentioned. How neat is is to have the previous owners of your car outlined as you do. Crestwood area was not too far from my hangouts in south St. Louis city and county.
You're right, there were three dragstrips very close to St. Louis back then. Pacific, Mid America Raceways (known as MAR and owned by one of my best friends in high schools dad) and Alton.
I loved to race at Alton (with it's two lanes divided by a grass median). Fond memories of going up to race on Saturday night, caravaning in my 409 bubbletop with my friends '64 fuel coupe and another friends Norton scrambler (Alton was one of only a few strips around that allowed motorcycles to drag).
Again, I wish I could recall your car in an early life. That would be really cool.
Jerry