The Short Chute
PAGE 2 - Newsletter #77 - Winter 2002
Racing Fraternity Deaths
On behalf of The Indy 500 Collectors Club we offer sincere condolences to the family of one of the United States Auto Club founders, Robert “Bob” Estes. He was 88.
In 1956 Estes, along with Anton Hulman and Colonel Authur Harrington (former President of the AAA Contest Board) and others organized USAC after AAA withdrew from Auto Racing following the 1955 season.
Estes served as President of the Championship Car Owners Association while very active with the AAA contest board.
Former “Riding Mechanic” and race car builder Johnny Pawl passed away January 9 after a brief battle with cancer. He was 86 years old.
Pawl rode as mechanic in three Indianapolis 500's. He finished 29th in 1935 along side Bob Sall. 32nd in 1936 with Fred Frame and in his final race in 1937 he finished in 8th place with Tony Gulotta at the wheel.
Johnny built several Midgets and other race cars. He built the Dr. Sabourin Champ Car that was driven by Rodger Ward in the 1954 500. There is some question as to whether the car driven by Eddie Russo in the 1955 500 was the same car or a new car built nearly identical to the 1954 car. Anyone know?
Johnny was inducted into the Midget Racing Hall of Fame in Sun Prairie, WI last year.
Bettenhausen Museum Opens
The Tony Bettenhausen Museum in Tinley Park, Illinois was opened January 19. It is located inside Tinley Park's Recreation Center, which is built on property that was once the Bettenhausen family farm. The facility contains memorabilia from Bettenhausen racing careers, photos, helmets, gloves, firesuits, awards and trophies are all on display.
Sprint Car Hall of Fame Inducties
The National Sprint Car Hall of Fame announced it's 2002 induction class. The individuals who will be enshrined June 1 in Knoxville, Iowa are drivers Lloyd Beckman, Maynard “Hungry” Clark, Jack Hewitt, Jim McElreath, Everett Saylor and Larry “Smokey” Snellbaker. Others are Owners/Mechanics/Builders John Bagley, Galen Fox, Ralph “Speedy” Helm and Sam Traylor. Also inducted will be Promoters/Officials/Media members Dick Bergren, J.Gordon Betz and Joe Scalzo. National Speed Sport News contributor Dave Argabright was honored with The National Sprint Car poll's Outstanding Contribution to the Sport award.
Note from Len Sutton
Larry Ireland
Member Len Sutton, long known as one of the nicer men to make a living through auto racing, was kind enough to send us a picture with a note. I asked Len if he had a particular picture he might like to see in The Short Chute and he responded:
- The first picture to come to mind was the picture that was taken in, I believe 1961 in the garage area at the Brickyard. I had a sore neck from a stock car crash and it was a gag shot. But, it was with 3 former Indy winners when, I, had at that time never yet taken the checkered flag at the end of a 500 mile race at Indy. Everyone is a little younger to include our hero Troy Ruttman. I would be proud if you used that shot. -
Len may have missed the year by one. The 147.753 written above the garage opening is the speed that Bud Tinglestad qualified the Konstant Hot Spl. in 1962.
IRL in Michigan in 2002
I attended the Fall meeting of the MIS100* club in late November and details of the upcoming IRL race at Michigan were discussed. New speedway president, Brett Sheldon seems genuinely excited about signing the IRL to race here.
Friday, July 26 IRL and NASCAR Craftsman Truck practice & qualifying
Saturday, July 27 Michigan 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck series race. Sunday, July 28 Michigan 300 IRL series race.
IRL race only tickets are $40, with all seats reserved.
Weekend tickets (includes: Friday practice & qualifying, Saturday truck race and Sunday's IRL race are $50). Children under 12 are free for all weekend events. The speedway is really promoting the event as reflected in the ticket prices. In addition the city of Jackson, Michigan plans an entire week of pre-race festivities.
I'm inquiring about pricing and benefits of lap sponsorship and will forward that information along as received.
MIS ticket office phone: 800-354-1010, or www.MISpeedway.com
*MIS100 Club is an advocacy group made up of 100 "friends of the speedway" in the three county area bordering the track facilities. Club members support the speedway through their community advocacy and serve as volunteers for various speedway sponsored events.
The Museum of Automobile History at 321 North Clinton St. in Syracuse, NY claims to have the largest private collection of automobile memorabilia in the world. There are no cars. You will find posters, toys and models, even a speeding ticket given to James Dean. Member Walter Miller is the owner, who for 30 years roamed the world looking for objects that connect people to cars. Call 315-478-CARS for hours.
