Marion, IL - Turnpike Speedway

Jim and all, I've got a few random scans of the images I have from the track. I will try to post them here if I can. I think you will like them, but please don't start asking for more as it will be some time before I get a new computer and scanner and get after the project properly. Later, Gary
 

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I'm still here

gnichols said:
Bump... nada? nothing? anyone? Gary
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Hi Gary. I have tried e-mailing you. I have been waiting to hear if you were able to develop any more of your Williamson County Speedway photos yet? I would love to have a look at some more. E-mail me back sometime.
Jim
 
jim wafer said:
Hi Gary. I have tried e-mailing you. I have been waiting to hear if you were able to develop any more of your Williamson County Speedway photos yet? I would love to have a look at some more. E-mail me back sometime.
Jim
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Jim,
Good to hear back... I guess I should check out this thread more often. While I'm "
subscribed to this thread, updates evidently working properly as I don't get them.

I haven't done any more scans of my old prints, sorry. Here is my email, Gary

gnichols@tampabay.rr.com
 
#24 car the guy standing beside it is Dean Sanders an employ of Johnnie Powell,as a kid i worked for Johnnie and went to a lot of races

.the car in the picture may have been the car that was sold to a guy from marion and it became K9
99 said:
Here is a pic of an old modified that I have, I'm told it ran at the track in Centrailia.
This is a 33/34 Ford sedan, shortened and narrowed, center steer.
The only names I can make out on it are Bill & Jim Scott. I have never been able to find any remnants of a number.
The doors have the drivers name but I can't make it out.

The #24 car is another car I have that ran in that area. It's a 34 or so Olds, that origionally ran a nailhead Buick. It was driven by Butch Burwell's Father in law (I think)
The car in primer is the #24 car as it sits today.

THANX RICH

People say I'm getting crankier as I get older. That's not it. I just find I enjoy annoying people a lot more now. Especially younger people!!!
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Wilber Woods,JE Woods,Johnnie Powell,Jerry Withrow,John Prior,Jim Shreve,Bevo Bivins,Gene Shanks,John Kemp,Frank Kamuka,Gary Easton,Len Whitner,Jim Eaves,Billy Joe Murphy,Buck Wheat,Bob Melvin,Ray Emling,Ron Dameron.i have a couple of old programs that Marion and Benton gave out i will have to look them up for more names.i have some #24 Powell photos when he changed to grabber blue and and a 428 ford engine instead of the 401 buick.
 
Jim Wafer....I remember you!!! I am around your age & am from Du Quoin!!! We ran around Turnpike when we were just kids!!! My Dad helped on Ray Emling's car!!! Wowwww it's sure been a long time!!! Obviously, my name is Debbie!!! LOL
 
gnichols said:
Jim,
Good to hear back... I guess I should check out this thread more often. While I'm "
subscribed to this thread, updates evidently working properly as I don't get them.

I haven't done any more scans of my old prints, sorry. Here is my email, Gary

gnichols@tampabay.rr.com
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Gary
Glad to hear from you. Have you checked out the pictures on this site provided by Bud Stout? There are some good shots of his #49 car. Hope to see some more of your photos too sometime. See you, Jim W.
 
Eddie Stone said:
Wilber Woods,JE Woods,Johnnie Powell,Jerry Withrow,John Prior,Jim Shreve,Bevo Bivins,Gene Shanks,John Kemp,Frank Kamuka,Gary Easton,Len Whitner,Jim Eaves,Billy Joe Murphy,Buck Wheat,Bob Melvin,Ray Emling,Ron Dameron.i have a couple of old programs that Marion and Benton gave out i will have to look them up for more names.i have some #24 Powell photos when he changed to grabber blue and and a 428 ford engine instead of the 401 buick.
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Here are some other modified coupe drivers from those days: Richard, Corky and Bob Rider, Jim McCoy, Cotton Hargis, Johnnie Houghland, Bill and Loren Millikin, Gary Beattie, Richard Lence, Ronnie Weekly. I talked to Mr. John Kemp at Gateway a couple of years ago. Nice man, and good to reminisce with him.
 
Pops15 said:
I stopped at the fairgrounds a couple years ago. No sign of the dirt track left. Just the horse track with trees in the infield. Any idea when they last raced there?
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The Williamson County Speedway at the Fairgrounds operated on the 1/4 mile track from from 1968 thru 1970. Then Dick and Sarah Poe took over Turnpike Speedway and renamed it Williamson County Speedway. There sure were some great races at the old Fairgrounds in the short time it was there.
 
stout 49 said:
i have posted a few pics of turnpike on this site. but they are in vintage photos.
sorry i prob. put them in the wrong place.
i also just aquired this car again after 25 yrs. and im restoring it to the original
look and sound of 1968. you'll have to come to the 4th of july parade in goreville
to see it!!
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Hi Bud, I remember your nice white coupe, the #49 driven by Richard Rogers. As a kid, I built a model car of it. I like your pictures you've posted here, but I am unable to save them off to my computer for use on my screensaver. If you could send me any old photos you have of the old coupes, I would be very grateful. Thanks, Jim Wafer
 
DebbieO25 said:
Jim Wafer....I remember you!!! I am around your age & am from Du Quoin!!! We ran around Turnpike when we were just kids!!! My Dad helped on Ray Emling's car!!! Wowwww it's sure been a long time!!! Obviously, my name is Debbie!!! LOL
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Oh my gosh yes, Debbie I do remember you. Wow! Those were some great old days. I had several race track friends, including my best friend the late Terry Sprague, Glenna Powell, Ricky Deaton, Randy Dees, Dean Taylor and Jane from Thompsonville and her nephews Rick and Randy. We were regulars at the old Turnpike Speedway, Williamson Co. Fairgrounds, Williamson County Speedway and Benton Fairgrounds from 1966 thru about 1974. I still attend Powri midget races, sprint car races and the Silver Crown race in DuQuoin. Once it gets in your blood it stays in your blood I guess. Racing people are good folks too. Good to hear from you. Jim
 
partialperson said:
Ross has put some of my family 8mm videos up on his facebook page. Ross Wece. Centralia, Turnpike, Haubstat.
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I watched all three last night. They brought back a lot of memories. I just lived about 3 miles from Turnpike as a kid, and went to as many races as I could talk my parents into. I made several trips to Haubstadt too. Never saw Centralia, so that was cool too. Gary Easton was a good racer and a nice guy. I bought a Holley 4 barrel at his speed shop for my old '66 Charger. Thanks Tim and Ross. If you come across more please post on this forum. Jim
 
GOATROPER2 said:
Buck Wheat??? are you sure you dont mean Jack Wheat,,,and his car was owned by Buck Harvey
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You are correct Goatroper. Jack Wheat (my dad) drove the Grimlin / mod for Buck Harvey. Dad often talks about how great Buck was at making a car handel and how that made his job of driving it so much eaiser. Dad has all kinds of old racing stories from down in the Benton / southern IL area tracks from back in late 60's early 70's. That would have been the good old days!
 
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