Eddie Stone
New Member
i thought the guys name was Troy Karnes and his son raced a #11 late model for a long time ,Steve was his name i think.i wonder if anyone remembers the the duct tape guy he went to every race and always passed out duct tape
Marion, IL - Turnpike Speedway
- Thread starter rosswece
- Start date
Randy Ferrel
New Member
It was indeed Troy Karnes and his son Steve is still active with his late model, #11............................
customwelding_5
Member
Don got to www.facebook.com then search for marion county speedway you will have to sign up for a facebook account before you can see the pictures.
Bryan Bennett
New Member
I recently spoke with "Duck" Simmion from Christopher.
He has alot of memorabilia,photo's,ect... from the Turnpike speedway.
I leaned from him that his father was the original builder of the Turnpike.They built and ran it for along time--then leased it---then eventually sold the property.
The car that was on the pole was a car that the Simmions owned and had someone else drive.
Duck has the original set of flags(green,red,white,yellow,checkered ect..) that were hand made by I think he said his mother-also has a vintage drivers suit.
It was a very interesting conversation.
He has alot of memorabilia,photo's,ect... from the Turnpike speedway.
I leaned from him that his father was the original builder of the Turnpike.They built and ran it for along time--then leased it---then eventually sold the property.
The car that was on the pole was a car that the Simmions owned and had someone else drive.
Duck has the original set of flags(green,red,white,yellow,checkered ect..) that were hand made by I think he said his mother-also has a vintage drivers suit.
It was a very interesting conversation.
Hey Bryan
How can I get in touch with Duck? I remember him, and the car on the pole. It was what first caught my eye when I moved to the area when I was 11. I remember his tan wrecker at the Du Quoin State Fair races. I would love to get hold of some old Turnpike Photos. Thanks, Jim
Hi all, just joined, love reading all the posts about racing in Southern Illinois! I remember going to all the tracks in the 70's, seeing Buckwheat, Amati, Russ Racine (who we swore was a dirty driver!), Tommy Tepe, Cliff Cockrum, the Gold Deuce, etc etc. Our family friend Laverne Sexton owned a car, i think the driver's name was Denny (?). And his son Brad Sexton bought the Gold Deuce a while back. Not sure where it it now, but I do remember it being a "legendary car".
Anyways, we were at Marion, Benton, Tri-County at Haubstadt, Metropolis at the old fairgrounds track, DuQuoin (I was there the year one of the drivers was killed during a race), Paducah raceway ... I'm sure there are others but can't remember them all now.
Anyways, we were at Marion, Benton, Tri-County at Haubstadt, Metropolis at the old fairgrounds track, DuQuoin (I was there the year one of the drivers was killed during a race), Paducah raceway ... I'm sure there are others but can't remember them all now.
ohsomthin
ohsomthin
It was "Big" Don Jackson that was killed at DuQuoin. Big Don made sprintcar wings out of wood for many a driver. Dad and I were there when it happened and he had binoculars but wouldnt let me see them. soon as the safety crew got to him Dad grabbed my hand and we left. Big Don could only fit in the car a certain way and Dad later told he he got tossed out during the wreck.
sprintersson
New Member
Happened to google Cliff Cockrum today and found this forum. Old thread I know but thought someone might enjoy seeing a picture of my dads old car that ran at Marion back in the day. Frank Kmucha was the driver.
Great picture of a classic from the golden age of racing. I don't remember this particular car, but am well aware of Cliff and Frank. I loved the Dee and Hodge #38 that Frank drove with a wing to the rear of the roof . I also loved watching Cliff in the Gold #2 Edmonds Supermodified. He and Gene Henson in his homemade #46 used to have some very heated battles at the old Williamson County Fairgrounds 1/4 mile. Thanks for sharing this, and if you or anyone else has any photos of Modified, Hobby stock or early supermodifieds from the Southern Illinois area tracks during the 60's an 70's, please post them!Happened to google Cliff Cockrum today and found this forum. Old thread I know but thought someone might enjoy seeing a picture of my dads old car that ran at Marion back in the day. Frank Kmucha was the driver.
sprintersson
New Member
Dad ran the Gold 8 from about 63-65 and I think Kmucha drove for Dees/Hodge after dad got out of stock cars and built a Super Modified. The modified era was from about 65-66. I've got some old pics of dads #8 modified that ran at the Marion Fairgrounds, Metropolis, Paducah, Charleston, I'll have to scan. Then about 67 dad had an Edmunds Sprint car built and ran with IMCA all over the country from North Dakota to Florida and everywhere in between. Cliff drove the modified car as well as the Sprint car till about 70 when Luke Easter from Ohio drove and Cliff went with Diz Wilson. I think Cliff may have drove the Gold Deuce around 1969 in the local weekly shows while still driving dads Sprint in the IMCA circuit. I think the pic below, with Cliff driving, was taken at Cedar Rapids, Iowa about 1968.
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Nice looking car. I didn't see it run, but sure enjoyed watching Cliff drive anything. I am glad to learn this history, and can't wait for more pictures! I will try and post a few that I have.Dad ran the Gold 8 from about 63-65 and I think Kmucha drove for Dees/Hodge after dad got out of stock cars and built a Super Modified. The modified era was from about 65-66. I've got some old pics of dads #8 modified that ran at the Marion Fairgrounds, Metropolis, Paducah, Charleston, I'll have to scan. Then about 67 dad had an Edmunds Sprint car built and ran with IMCA all over the country from North Dakota to Florida and everywhere in between. Cliff drove the modified car as well as the Sprint car till about 70 when Luke Easter from Ohio drove and Cliff went with Diz Wilson. I think Cliff may have drove the Gold Deuce around 1969 in the local weekly shows while still driving dads Sprint in the IMCA circuit. I think the pic below, with Cliff driving, was taken at Cedar Rapids, Iowa about 1968.
Michael Crow
New Member
Glad I found this site. Hoping more people post picture of cars that raced at both Turnpike and Williamson County Fairgrounds. Dad raced at both tracks. What fun we all ad back in the day.
