1940s Silk Midget Auto Races Shirt

PHOENIX MIDGET RACING HISTORY

Compiled by Victor Esian and Stan Cowan.

Website edited & maintained by Nancy Schaut

Image courtesy of Gary Peacock

JIMMY BRYAN, ARIZONA FAIRGROUNDS, mid 1950s. 

Photos courtesy of Stan Cowan

Art Bisch, driving the #10 car  

Photos courtesy of Stan Cowan

Photos courtesy of Stan Cowan

1954 Midget Racing Posters from Keith Stribling's Collection

All of the posters are from 1954. 

JOHNNY COGHLAN, 1946-7, #26, SIDEWINDER; Photo courtesy of Victor Esian

ARIZONA MIDGET RACING TIMELINE

1935    Racing at Jordan Speedway, between 16th ST. & 20th St. & Camelback Road; racing stopped there on 10/31

1935, 11/17    Racing resumed at Riverside Park Speedway on S. Central Avenue just north of the Salt River.  Riverside was a popular place, they also had a pool and a ballroom. 

1936    October, Disabled American Veterans Speedway opened at the old Jordan site, 16th St. & Camelback

1937    October, Bennetts Speedway opened at 49th Street and E. Washington

1938    Roosevelt Field opens at 17th Avenue & Roosevelt.

1939, 2/26, Roosevelt closes, converted to Phoenix Softball Park

1939, 12/3, Arizona Midget Owners and Drivers Club - Arizona's first official racing club - opens Phoenix Midget Speedway at 17th Ave. and Garfield. It was sometimes called Midget Auto Park. 

1946, May: Phoenix Speedway opens, also called Thomas Road Track. East Thomas Road at 62nd Street opposite PW Camp

1946 AND 1947 PROGRAMS

These programs are undated

Feb 29, 1948 Program AMODC

 The Spot-Lite heralded the "New" South Mountain Speedway opening on July 30 with a Photo of "Fireman" Al Jacquith.

August 13 and August 27 1949 Programs, South Mountain Speedway

1951    Manzanita Speedway opens

1935 RACE RESULTS

JORDAN SPEEDWAY at 16th Street & Camelback was a quarter mile dirt track. Jimmy Jordan was the Promoter. He tried some exhibition races in the Spring of 1935.  Billy Betteridge, a California driver, established a one lap record for the 1/4 mile dirt track of 16.1

Main Event Winners:

7/10    Clell Kelly (Crowd of 1200-Ivan Unger set O.T. of 17.1)

7/17    Billy Martin, Sacaton, Arizona

7/24    Ivan Unger    (After 3 events, Kelly & Unger are tied for point lead)

7/31    Ed Davis, Hollywood CA

8/7, Rained Out

8/14, Rained Out

8/16, Davis

8/21, J.D. Watson, #4 Outboard

8/24, Race at Prescott, promoted by Jordan, Watson winner

8/28, Kelly

9/4, Harold Peterson (Kelly suffered face cuts when hit with loose exhaust)

9/11 Cancelled, broken irrigation pipe flooded grounds

9/13, Watson

9/18, Tommy Elliott, Los Angeles, California, #25

9/25, Rained Out

10/3, Watson (switched to Fridays - Unger & Peterson suffered minor injuries in flips)

10/10, Unger

10/17, Watson

10/24, Watson - takes point lead

10/31, Watson

Jordan dropped racing at the 16th Street & Camelback site and after a two week delay resumed racing at Riverside Park Speedway, a 1/5 mile "D" shaped track

11/17, Peterson

11/24, Lyle Dickey

12/1, Gordon Cleveland, #57 Van Blurt motor

12/8, Watson

12/15, Cleveland

12/22, Peterson, Season ends

OTHER DRIVERS:

E. W. Bailey

Ernie Chambers, Williams, AZ

Red Collins

Dick Dickensen

Bill Ehie

Fred Friday

Jerry Fulkerson

Elmo Green

Frank Hetzel

Glen Horn

Rob Isom

George Johnsen

Tommy Melton

Jimmy Miller

Dick Murphy

Scotty Powers

Bill Putney

Bill Reiber

Jeff Sullivan

George Van Doren

Photo courtesy of Bob Mills, submitted by Warren Burdine.  Bob's notes indicate this photo was taken in  1936, at Riverside Park. At the left is Frank Hetzel,right is J.D. Watson, 1935 champion. 

1936 RACE RESULTS 

Riverside Park, Central Avenue, just north of the Salt River.  Jimmy Jordan promoter, D-shape, 1/5 mile dirt, track in the ball diamond; park also had a ballroom and large swimming pool. 

Photo courtesy of Bob Mills, submitted by Warren Burdine.  Bob's notes indicate this photo was taken in  1936, at Riverside Park. 

1/1, JD Watson (Special New Years Day Show)

1/5, Watson (Back to Sunday afternoons)

1/12, Watson

1/19, Gordon Cleveland  

1/26, Cleveland (Watson crashed while in the lead)

2/2, Ivan Unger

Photo courtesy of Bob Mills, submitted by Warren Burdine.  Bob's notes indicate this photo was taken in  1936, at Riverside Park. 

2/9, Cleveland (Watson broke jaw in flip)

2/16, Rain

2/23, Cleveland

3/1, Cleveland

3/8, Cleveland

3/15, El Centro, Billy Martin

3/22, Frank Hetzel

3/29, Cleveland

4/5, Jerry Fulkerson -  #1, crowd voted on reversing the feature lineup.  In anger JD Watson pulled both his cars - Dickey #2, Cleveland #12

Photo courtesy of Bob Mills, submitted by Warren Burdine.  Bob's notes indicate this photo was taken in  1936, at Riverside Park.

Ten Day Break Before Night Series Starts

4/16, Unger #3

4/23, Unger -Louie Frameau hurt in a flip

Photo courtesy of Bob Mills, submitted by Warren Burdine.  Bob's notes indicate this photo was taken in  1936, at Riverside Park.

4/30, Lyle Dickey, Jerry Fulkerson injured in flip-broken jaw, shoulder, head injury

5/7, Cleveland

5/14, Cleveland

5/21, Cleveland

5/28,Cancelled, lack of entries

6/4, Dickey - 3 week break/car count bad, no help from California

6/25, Cleveland, back from Calif. with #6 -1/2 Miller, California cars advertised but did not show, TRACK SHUT DOWN for about ten weeks

Photo courtesy of Bob Mills, submitted by Warren Burdine.  Bob's notes indicate this photo was taken in  1936, at Riverside Park.

9/4, Bob Hornbrook, short field even w/6 cars from El Centro

9/20, Hardin Young, El Centro

9/27, Young

10/4, Hobe Herrick, El Centro

10/11, Cleveland

Photos courtesy of Bob Mills, submitted by Warren Burdine.  Bob's notes indicate this photo was taken in  1936, at Riverside Park.

Promoters Dick Brenton and Sidney Smith Jr reopen 1/4 mile dirt track at 16th St. and Camelback.  Now known as Disabled American Veterans Speedway. Going head to head on Sunday afternoons against Riverside.

Riverside Results:

10/17, Hornbrook over Hobe Herrick

10/24, Cancelled Rain, no racing until 12/13

12/13, Bill Ehle, Leo Cox second place, Buzz Bussard third

12/20, 12/27 No racing

Photo courtesy of Bob Mills, submitted by Warren Burdine.  Bob's notes indicate this photo was taken in  1936, at Riverside Park.

Disabled American Veterans Speedway Results:

10/17, Gordon Cleveland, Bill Hansberger injured

10/24, No racing, rain

10/31, Pee Wee Distarce

11/8, Ronnie Householder

11/15, Andy Guthrie

11/22, Rain, no racing

11/29, Billy Martin

12/6, Billy Martin

12/13, Martin

12/20, Andy Guthrie, 50 laps

12/27, Cancelled wet grounds

OTHER DRIVERS:

Buzz Bussard, San Diego

#14, Bill Ehle

#7, Tommy Elliott (was #8)

Ed Delaney

Bob Donthitt, El Centro

Louie Foy

#40, Louie Framead

Elmo Green

Andy Guthrie

Gil Guthrie

Clarence Husler

Johnny Hughes

Ray Hulett

Clell Kelly

Ernie Longbreak

Short Mueller

Harold Peterson

#24, Scotty Powers

#15, Bill Putney

Fred Salmen, El Centro

George Van Loren

Don Welsh

1937 RACE RESULTS

Disabled American Veterans Speedway, 16 St & Camelback, 1/4 mile dirt track, promoter was Dick Brenton, sanctioned by AMRA, Al Small, President

1/3, Hardin Young, Brawley, CA, 75 laps

1/10, No racing, bad weather

1/17, No racing, bad weather

1/24, Bob Hornbrook - Dickey & Ungar Roll Over, both OK

1/31, Gordon Cleveland, #38

2/7, Rained Out

2/14, Races cancelled for a rodeo

2/21, Cleveland

2/28, Rained Out

3/7, Young

3/14, Cleveland

Three week layoff as races returned to Riverside Park, Oakley Jordan, promoter. 1/5 mile dirt track. Races switched from Sun. to Thurs.

4/1, Hornbrook

4/7, Cleveland (Moved to Wednesdays)

4/17, Hornbrook

4/21, Lyle Dickey (Miller V8-60, #8)

4/28, Dickey

5/5, Leo Cox

5/12, Cox,-Scotty Powers suffered leg burns

5/19, Cox-Ed Delaney hurt in crash/unconscious 48 hours

5/20, at Globe, Bill Ehle

5/26, Elmo Green, #53

5/27, at Globe, Dickey

5/31, Hornbrock, Memorial Day, 75 laps

5/3, Hornbrock 

6/2, Dickey

6/3, at Globe, Bill Putney

6/9, Hornbeck

6/16, Cancelled

6/23, Dickey

6/30, Dickey

7/5, Rain, Decoration Day Special

7/7, Hornbrock, Green ntr/one lap of 15.8

7/14, Cancelled, Promoter Gone

Moved to another new track, Bennetts Speedway, 1/4 mile dirt track at 40th St and E. Washington, George Bennett promoter, 3 month delay

10/31, Louie Foy

11/7, Bill Putney

11/11, Jimmy Combs - special Armistice Day 50 Laps

11/14, Combs

11/21, Combs

11/28, B. Putney

12/5, B. Putney

12/12, B. Putney

12/19, Foy, Thompson Outboard

12/26, Cox

CHAMPION: LEO COX*

*Tragically, Cox would later become the first Arizona racing fatality. Although he had given up racing to accept a government job in Hawaii,  Leo was called from the stands and asked to fill in when the main event came up one driver short.  He agreed, and was killed midway through the race when the car flipped. Source: "Thirty Years of Auto Racing in Arizona" by Al Roach.

OTHER DRIVERS

Jimmy Combs, Glendale

Ed Delaney, #33, Phoenix

Bob Dauphet, El Centro

Bill Ehle, Phoenix

Jerry Fulkerson, #5, Phoenix

LE Gay, Glendale

Joe Gilbert, Phoenix

Andy Gutrie, Los Angeles

Clarence Hustler, Tempe

Harry Leeper, Yuma

Ray Leyvas, #75, Phoenix

Ray Kraft, Phoenix

#14 OB, Billy Martin, Sacaton

Elmer Miller, #11, Phoenix

Harold Petersen, Tucson

Bob Plumley, Yuma

Scotty Powers, Phoenix

Seth Smith, #9

Ward Swarthout, El Centro

Ivan Unger, Phoenix

Bud Vass, Phoenix

JD Watson, Phoenix

Woody Woodford, Seattle

1938 Midget Results

Bennett's Speedway, 1/4 mile dirt at 40th Street & E. Washington, Phoenix, George Bennett, promoter. Opened on Sunday afternoons, 30 lap mains. 

1/1, Leo Cox (His own V8-60, #1

1/9, Cox

1/16, Cox

1/23, Cox - Bill Ehle hurt in crash

1/30, Cox

2/6, Joe Gilbert 

Two week lapse, track shortened to 1/5 mile

2/20, Louis Foy - Offy

2/27, Rained Out

3/6, Cox

3/13, Elmo Green

3/20, Cox -15 lap race on 5/8 paved track

3/27, Scotty Powers

4/3, Called off for junk car race at Fairgrounds

4/10, Cox

Two month delay: New lighting system installed, moved to Wed. 

6/15, Lyle Dickey, in Joe Kennison V8-60, #3

6/22, Bill Putney

6/29, Cox

7/6, Cox

7/13, Bill Putney in Joe Kennison V8-60 #3

7.20, Bill Putney

7/27, No races

8/4, Cox (1 day delay for rain)

8/10, Cox, Bud Vess V-8 60 #9

8/17, Bill Putney

8/24, No races, New promoter, C. M Moore

8/31, Bill Putney

 New Track Announced. 1/8 Mile dirt track at 17th Ave. & Roosevelt, Promoters 

10/19, Bill Putney, Wednesdays

10/26, Cox - Ace Hartline now owns #1; Arlen Kelley fractured shoulder in a flip

Lapse while switching to Sundays

11/13, Cox, Jerry Fulkerson hurt in spill

11/20, Cox

11/27, Green

12/4, Bill Putney, Season Finale

Champion: Leo Cox

Other drivers:

Bill Burle

Jimmy Combs

Gordon Cleveland

Ed Delaney

Bill Ehle

Tommy Elliott

Jerry Fulkerson

Bob Hornbeck

Hobe Herrick, El Centro

Frank Hetzel, Yuma

Lloyd Hornbrook

Clarence Hustler

Morris Hutton

Arlen Kelley

Ray Lemas

Kenny Sapp

Hal Sharpe

George Sparks

Ivan Under

1939 MIDGET RESULTS

Roosevelt Field/17th Avenue & Roosevelt, 1/8mi in a ballpark

Promoter: Art Funk

1/8    Bob Hornbrook, Art Funk unhurt in rollover

1/15    Bob Hornbrook

1/22    Bill Putney

1/29    Bill Putney

2/5    Elmo Green

2/12    Bill Putney

2/19    Elmo Green

2/26    Elmo Green

Track was then shut down. The members of the AZ Midget Association spent the next nine months building their own facility - Phoenix Midget Speedway, a 1/5 mile venue at 17th Avenue & Garfield

12/3    Frank Hetzel (Yuma)

12/10    Frank Hetzel - Harlan Kelly hurt when he rolled

12/17    Bill Putney

12/24    Gordon Cleveland

12/31    Bill Putney - went into the finale tied with Green for title - Putney won 40 lapper; Green sidelined

Champion: Bill Putney

Other Drivers:

Bill Burke

JM Bussard

Leo Cox

Jerry Fulkerson

Art Funk

Joe Gilbert

Ace Hartung

Glen Horn

Lloyd Hornbrook

Al Jaquith

Harlan Kelly

Val Lancaster

Barney Long

Billy Martin

Scotty Powers

Fred Ricks (Yuma)

Ivan Unger

1940 RESULTS

Phoenix Midget Speedway (or Midget Auto Park) was at 17th Avenue & Garfield, promoter: Arizona Midget Assn.

1/7    Bill Putney, red #11 (Opened on Sundays)

1/14    Casa Grande, Scotty Powers (New track)

1/21    Bob Hornbrook

1/28    Bob Hornbrook

2/4    PeeWee Distarce

2/11    Elmo Green (Duane Carter Offy )

2/18    Rain

2/25    Duane Carter (own Offy)

3/3    Gordon Cleveland

3/10    Carter (Bob Hornbrook debut of John McDaniels new Bugatti powered car)

3/17    B. Putney (in Bob Hornbrook's old ride)

3/24    Carter

3/31    Powers (after rebuilding car wrecked at Casa Grande on 2/10)

4/7    Billy Martin

4/14    Putney (Bills finished 1-2-3-4: Putney, Martin, Burke, Ehle)

Three week delay as night lights were installed & track reworked. Switched to Thursday nights.

5/9    B. Putney

5/16    Putney

5/23    Bill Burke

5/30    Burke

6/6      Burke

6/13    Bill Putney

6/20    Burke

6/27    B. Putney

7/4    B. Putney

7/11    Burke

7/18    Burke

7/25    Burke/B. Putney (Dead Heat - Burke led for 29laps, motor quit on last lap just at checkers; Putney pulled alongside at finish line)

8/1    B. Putney, Burke suffered severe water burns when hose let go

8/8    Leo Cox

8/15    Al Jaquith

8/22    Bill Ehle

8/29    B. Hornbrook

9/5    Jaquith

9/12    B. Hornbrook

9/19    B. Hornbrook

9/26    B. Hornbrook

10/3    B. Putney

10/10    Curtailed/no winner

10/17    Carter

10/24    Ehle

Moved to Sunday afternoons because of cold

11/3    Art Hargraves

11/10    & 11/17 Cancelled - big car races scheduled at Fairgrounds

11/24    B. Hornbrook

12/1    B. Hornbrook

12/8    Lloyd Hornbrook

12/15    L. Hornbrook

12/22    L. Hornbrook

Champion: B. Hornbrook

OTHER DRIVERS

Lee Arthur

Johnny Coughlan

Don Farmer

Dick Ferguson

Joe Gilbert

Mel Hanson

Ace Hartline

Frank Hetzel (Yuma)

Harlan Kelly

Larry Mecey

Leo Ramsey

Bud Reiber

Buddy Shay (owner #36)

Vic Shay (Powers #3)

Ivan Unger

Buck Young

1941 ARIZONA  MIDGET RESULTS

This season opened at Phoenix Midget Speedway, at 17th Avenue and Garfield.  Promoter was AZ Midget Assn, opened on Sundays

Feature Races

1/5    Rainout

1/12, Hornbrook, 50 laps, driving Bill Cummins Engine Special #1

1/19    Bill Putney

1/26    Al Jaquith

2/2    Al Jaquith, Mueller V8-60 #46

2/9    Walt Faulkner, Elmer Ross V8-60, #37

2/16    Rain

2/23    Rain

3/2    Rain

3/9    Bob Hornbrook, Cummins #1, 21 yr old Bill Burke flips, broken jaw & shoulder

3/16    Rain

3/23    W. Faulkner, Ernie Casale V8-60, #2

Three week break while track was reconditioned after rains; restarted using Summer schedule, on Thursday nights

4/17    Art Hargraves, Chas. Gray Chevy, #10

4/24    B. Hornbrook, Cummins #1

5/1    Rain

5/8    B. Hornbrook, Mueller, V8-60, #46

5/15    Leland Putney

5/22    B. Hornbrook, Cummins #1

5/30    Harry Faulkner, Maloney Bros. V8-60, #11, Race moved to Friday (Memorial Day)

6/5    L. Putney

6/12    L. Putney

6/19    B. Hornbrook, Cummins #1

6/26    Bill Ehle, Mueller, V8-60, #46

7/3    B. Hornbrook, Cummins #1

7/10    Leland Putney

7/17    Rain

7/24    Rain

7/31    Lloyd Hornbrook, Clarence Hustler, V8-60, #2

8/7    Hargraves, Mueller, V8-60, #46

8/14    L. Hornbrook, Hustler #2

8/21    L. Putney

8/28    Ehle, Mueller #46

9/4    Ehle, Muller #46

9/11    Ehel, Mueller #46

9/18    Leo Ramsey, own V8-60 #9

9/25    Ehle, Mueller #46

10/2    Rain

10/9    Bill Brereton, 100 laps

10/16    Jaquith, on leave/had been cleaning up in El Paso

10/23    Louie Foy

Off until Nov. 23 when Sunday Winter Program resumes

11/23    B. Hornbrook, Cummins #1

11/30    Elmo Green - former Arizonan and brother-in-law of Bob Hornbrook, had been doing well in Ohio

12/7    Duane Carter

NO MORE RACES UNTIL AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR    

OTHER DRIVERS

ED ANTHONY

PAUL AYERSMAN

BILL BLAIR

STAN BROOKS

BILL BURKE

JOHNNY COUGLAN

PAUL ERICKSON

CLIVER GABOY (TUCSON)

JOHN GREEN

LEONARD HALL

ACE HARTLINE

HARLAN KELLY

EARL LAKE

LARRY MECEY

SCOTTY POWERS

CLIFF RADER

BUD REEBER

BUDDY SHAW

VIC SHAW

BILL TREMEL

IVAN UNGAR

BUCK YOUNG

CALIFORNIA DRIVERS

FRANK BREWER

TOMMY ELLIOTT

DON FARMER

JOE GILBERT

HOWDY HAIGHT

MEL HANSEN

BERNIE HARRISON

HOWDY JENSEN

GIB LILLY

JOHNNY MANTZ (CL ARNOLD,V8,7 STRAIGHT AT ATLANTIC STADIUM)

BOB PANKRATZ

HAP WOODMAN

1942 RESULTS

Stan Brooks accepting the trophy from an unknown presenter. Photo courtesy of Steve Brooks. 

1942 AMODC Membership card, Image courtesy of George "Rocky" Rockwell

Phoenix Midget Speedway, 17th Ave & Garfield St. Promoter, Arizona Midget Assn. Opened on Sunday afternoons and switched to Thursday nights in March.

Features:

1/18    Duane Carter, own #15 Offy - followed by Cal Niday, Perry Grimm, Bob Hornbrook and Roy Duby

1/25    Leland Putney, followed by Carter & Frank Brewer

2/1    Mel Hanson, followed by Carter & Duke Nalon

2/8    Carter, followed by Brewer, Bill Ehle & Bob Pankratz

2/15    Hanson

2/22    Carter (50 Laps)

3/1    Bob Hornbrook, followed by Carter & Hanson

3/8    Carter

3/15    Bill Ehle, Car #2

Switched to Thursdays

3/19    Carter

3/26    Hanson 

4/2    Hanson (Points leader Carter left for the East  after this race)

4/9    Hanson

4/16    Stan Brooks

4/23    Rain

4/30    Hornbrook

5/7    Brooks

5/14    Brooks

5/21    Ehle

5/28    L. Putney

6/4    Brooks (Feature cut short; only Brooks & Bill Howard were still running)

6/11    Program cancelled; car shortage

6/18    Hornbrook

6/25    Ehle

7/2    Hornbrook

7/9    Brooks

7/16    Hornbrook

7/23    Stan Brooks

7/30    Bill Howard

Stan Brooks winning the trophy dash.  Photo courtesy of Steve Brooks.

Close up of Stan Brooks, 1942, courtesy of Steve Brooks

Front and back of 1942 Program, courtesy of Steve Brooks

Newspaper clippings, 1942, courtesy of Steve Brooks

OTHER DRIVERS

Paul Ayersman

Jimmy Combs

Phil Dodd

Harry Faulkner

Ace Hartline

Lloyd Hornbrook

Al Jaquith (raced when home on furlough)

C. B. Moore

Bill Putney (Dick Martin's V8 #?)

Bud Rieber

Vic Schwickert

Ivan Ungar

Jimmy Wemble (Yuma)

Woody Wilburne

1942 Program, courtesy of Steve Brooks. 

Click on photo for larger, readable image. 

RACING WAS DISRUPTED BY WORLD WAR II.  Midget racing started again in Arizona on May 23, 1946 at Phoenix Speedway, at 62nd Street and Thomas.  It was also known as the Thomas Road Track, 1/5 mi. dirt.  This track was operated by an American Legion post and sanctioned by AMODA. Our sincere thanks to all of you WWII veterans......

1946 RACE RESULTS

1946 Pit Pass, Arizona Midget Association from the Millet estate, photo courtesy of Keith Stribling.

Feature Wins:

5/23    Art Hargraves, #7

5/30    Bill Howard, #22

6/6    C. B. Moore, driving Dan Woods #81, V8-60

6/13    Eddie Lenz, #81

6/20    Larry Mecey, own car #11

6/27    Al Jaquith, Root & Harper #16

7/4    Lenz, #81

7/11    Lenz, #81

7/18    Bud Reiber, driving Lee Hess' #15

7/25    Lenz, #81

8/1    Lenz, #81

8/8    Cancelled - windstorm damaged stands

8/15    Hargraves, #7

8/22    Lenz, #81

8/29    Lenz, #83

9/5    Lenz #81

9/12    Lenz #81

9/19    Rain/rescheduled to 9/22

9/22    Lenz, #81

9/26    Lenz, #81

10/3    Lenz, #81 - New track manager, "King Karl" Young, field inverted for main to stop Lenz. Dean Gardner killed in B. B. Perrine's #700. 

10/10    Lenz #81 - Bud Camden & Cotton Musick imported from Wichita to stop Lenz.  They finished 2 & 3, respectively

10/17    Lenz #81

10/24    Lenz #81

11/1    Lenz driving Stan Sugarman's #1

11/11    Jaquith, #16 - switched to Sundays

11/18    Lenz #81, 50 Laps - a special tribute to Lenz who was returning to New York- Ball let Lenz driver the #81 and Lenz passed Roger Ward late to win.

11/25    Johnny Garrett, in the #99. Aaron Woodard was 2nd.

12/1    Garrett, #99

12/8    Trigger Carpenter in a new car, #77

12/15    Jaquith #1, track had decomposed granite added

12/29    John Garrett, winner, season finale - 75 Laps

Champion: Eddie Lenz, 2nd: Hargraves; 3rd: Howard

Image courtesy of George "Rocky" Rockwell

OTHER EVENTS

Labor Day - Lyle Dickey wins 20 lap main on the 5/8 mile paved track at the Arizona Fairground driving the Spike Jones Special in front of 100 fans.  Mack Helling ws 2nd, Bob Hornbrook 3rd. Race sanctioned by the new Arizona Speedway Assn., Victor J. Nelson Pres; Gordon Schroeder, VP. 

OTHER DRIVERS

Bobby Ball, #57, then purchased #81

Jimmy Bryan, #4

Jimmy Combs, #4, also #11

Tommy Elliott, #1

Bob Hornbrook, in Scotty Powers Hartman Spl; also drove #11 

Carl Konow, #3 from Buckeye

Lenz,  in Rockwall #2

Jimmy McNIchols, #44

Larry Mecey, #15, and the #2 he purchased from Rockway

C B Moore, also in #22 & #700, sold by Perrine

Milton "Speed" Millet, #1, also in #10 & #16

Dick Pierce, Rockwall #

Bill Putney, #3, also in #6 & #700

Leo Ramsey, Charlie Gray #10; also in Perrine #1

Buck Young, #8

Young Brother, Bud Rieber car, & #21

Al, "the fireman" Jacquith in the Sun Motors No. 5 car, and his embroidered silk shirt.

Al Jacquith '47 AMODC Championship trophy

1947 RESULTS

Image courtesy of George "Rocky" Rockwell

Phoenix Speedway, 62nd Street & Thomas Road. Karl Young, Manager; later replaced by Mrs. J. H. Patterson, wife of track owner, Dr. Patterson. 

Note the initial wins for Bobby Ball and Jimmy Bryan

1/5    Johnny Garrett, Les Hendrick's Drake, #38

1/12    Bobby Ball, own Ball Spl, V-8 60, #81 (First win!)

1/19    Al Jaquith, own B&C V8-60,  #5

Al Jacquith 1947, Photo Courtesy of George Rockwell

1/26    Art Hargraves, Young Bros. #2, formerly #700

2/2    Jim Springfield, Al Dean V8-60, #96

2/9    Jim Bryan, Watkins V8-60,  #66, (First Win!) 

2/16    Bob Hornbrook, Herb Backus V8-60, #76

2/23    Hornbrook, Backus V8-60, #76

3/2    Bill Howard, Howard V8-60, #22

MARCH 2, 1947  PHOENIX SPEEDWAY, TROPHY DASH WINNER, "BUD" REIBER IN RUSSELL #97 Photo Courtesy of George Rockwell

One month break to rework track & facility

4/3    Bill Putney, Root & Harper #16, 1/2 Buick

4/10    Bryan, Watkins V8-60, #66

4/17    Hargraves, own V8-60, #2

4/24    Bryan, Watkins #66

5/1    Hargraves, #2

5/8    Jaquith, #5

5/15    Hornbrook, #76

5/22    Ball, #81

5/29    Hargraves, #2

1947  ART HARGRAVES Photo Courtesy of George Rockwell

6/5    Bryan, #66

6/8    Ball wins at Flagstaff,#81

6/12    Bobby Ball, Ball Special, ##81

6/19    Jaquith, #5

6/26    Ball,Ball Spl,  #81

7/3    Ball, #81

7/10    Jaquith, #5

7/17    Danny Wood, Tucson, Elmer Smith V8-60, #1 Hargraves upside down, but OK. 

7/24    Jacquith, #5, 

7/31    Jim Bryan

8/7    Jacquith, #5

8/14    Bryan, #66

8/28    Bob Hornbrook, #76

9/11    Wood, #1, Walt Maynard & Hank McCullar hurt in crashes

9/18    Ball, #81 

9/25    Wood #1 (started 8th)

10/2    Ball, #81(Bryan now in #6)

10/16, Johnny Caghlan, Calif, #35

10/23    Wood, #1, Controversy between management & AMODC left Jaquith & several others sitting. Bryan, Marving Burke, Ball, Fred Friday followed, top 6 paid

10/30    Ball, Mickey McGuires #25

11/6    Bryan, #4, followed by Roger Ward, Dean Meltzer & Ball

11/9    No races

11/16    No races

11/23    Dean Meltzer, Elmer Ross, #151

11/30    No races

12/7    No races

12/14    Danny Wood, Smith & Wood V8-60, #1

12/21    No races

12/28    Danny Wood, #1

Other Drivers

Clarence Auckley 

Trigger Carpenter, own #7

Bill Cheesbough, #91, Tucson 

Johnny Coghlan (Phoenix-Calif.)

Ernie Dietzman

Cliff Epp 

Art George

Bill Goke, #11

L. L. Hess, Tucson

Lloyd Hornbrook, own #12

Bob Howard

Hank McCullar, #P-51

J. L. Manness

Don Martin

Larry Mecey, #7

C. B. Moore

Jim Perry

Ed Phillips

Jack Pray

Bud Ranken, California

Russ Russell, own #97

Bill Scott, Benson

Ray Smith

Bob Sunklee

Larry Wamble, Tucson

Wayne Watkins

Bob Whittaker

Monty Wilson

1948 MIDGET RESULTS

MARCH 14, 1948  ARIZONA STATE FAIRGROUNDS  5/8 MILE

Photo Courtesy of George Rockwell

SOUTH MOUNTAIN SPEEDWAY PROGRAM, JULY 30, 1949, FEATURING "FIREMAN" AL JACQUITH, 1947 & 1948 ARIZONA STATE CHAMPION, PHOTO COURTESY OF VICTOR ESIAN

Al Jacquith in 1948 (holding two trophies)

Al Jacquith's helmet & the '48 Championship trophy, plus a main trophy.

Phoenix Speedway, 62nd & Thomas Road, Mrs. J. H. Patterson, Track Manager, opened with Sunday afternoon races.

Image courtesy of George "Rocky" Rockwell

Features:

1/11    Billy Cantrell, Drake #16

1/18    No program

1/25    Bob Hornbrook

2/1    Cantrell, #16

2/8    Cantrell, #16, followed by Johnny Boud, Johnny Baldwin & Bill Vukovich - Jimmy Bryan & Johnny Coughlan tangle and both flip hard; Coughlan was severely injured.

Going to every other week until they switch to nights in May - Fairgrounds track is going to start running midgets.

2/15    Al Jaquith won a race in Albuquerque

2/22    Bob Barker, Drake; Johnny Parsons 2nd

3/7    Hornbrook, #26 Art Hargraves, Bryan & John Moorhouse follow)

3/21    Cantrell, Drake #1 (moved to nights)

4/15    Cantrell, #1 - Larry Mecey escapes injury in a wild accident; Bill Balik's #2 was badly battered

4/22    Cantrell - Drakes were banned by URA & Phoenix so Cantrell switched to a V8-60.

4/29    Danny Wood, Elmer Smith's #4. Protest by fans over disqualification of Jimmy Bryan. B. B. Perrine, Track Steward, made the call. 

5/6    Wood, #4

Track closed for several weeks for repairs.  New South Globe Speedway will open May 15 with midgets according to promoter Les Hilton.  

6/10    Al Jaquith, track now being run by H. L. Boniface

6/17    Jaquith, #41

6/24    Jaquith, #41 - 50 Lap/Clarence Auckley unhurt in crash

7/1    Jaquith #41, won regular 30 lapper

7/8    Jaquith, #41

7/15    Jaquith #41 - Track shut down when promoter Boniface's attempt to cut the $725 guaranteed purse to 40% of gate was refused by AMODA. 

8/14    Jaquith #41 (7 straight) - Racing resumes under Boneface but is switched from Thurs. to Sat. Art Hargraves new AMODA president. 

8/21    Art Hargraves, #5, Jaquith had mechanical problems

8/28    Wood

9/4    Bobby Ball, Herb Backus new KK#76/Johnny Moore second in promoter Boniface's #14

9/11    Wood, edges Ball/Buck Fletcher unhurt in rollover

9/18    Hornbrook, #26, in the Backus car

9/25    Hornbrook, #25, followed by Wood & Bill Brereton

10/2    Hornbrook, #25, Bill Smith seriously injured in a crash - head injuries- Al Jaquith burned when a fuel line broke on the new Hornbeck car

10/9    Byron Counts, #37

10/16    Counts, #37

10/23    Bud Clemons, #36, Tiny Wainright 2nd

10/30    Clemons, #36, rain forced move to Sunday

11/6    Johnny Garrett, Frank Bowling's #126

Dr. J. H. Patterson announces race track will be dismantled starting immediately for an Ingleside Turf Club Grounds beautification program. All racing ends.

1948 Races at the Arizona State Fairgrounds - 5/8 mile paved. Promoter - Dr. Vaughn McGuire & Ace Hartline- also announcer

Features:

3/14    Johnny Smith (Miami Arizona) earlier attempt rained out; show run, Manny Ayulo & Bill Cantrell followed

3/28    Manny Ayulo, followed by Bob Hornbrook, Billy Cantrell #16 car, 25 miles, no Offys, AMDOC sanctioned.

4/8    Mel Hanson in Rex Mays Offy, Sam Hanks 2nd, Eddie Haddad moved from 11th to finish 3rd, Offys now allowed & 17 showed up. Sanctioned by AAA.

12/5    Bobby Ball followed by Billy Cantrell & Johnny Gavin, sanctioned by URA. 

Stock car races were run in Nov. & Dec. with Troy Ruttman & Lou Figaro the winners.  Crowds of more than 4,000 each time. 

OTHER DRIVERS

Clarence Auckley

Jr. Barker

Art Bisch

Satan Brewer

Jimmy Bryan 

Trigger Carpenter, #5

Jim Castle

Bill Cheesebourgh

Johnny Coughlan

Carl Denny

Ernie Dietzman

Buck Fletcher

Bill Goke

Speed Gunderman

Ray Hinkle

Bob Howard

J. L. Manness

Billy Martin

Hank Mc CullarLarry Mecey, Bill Blair's #2

Dean Meltzer, Ross #30

Frank Oviedo

Jim Perry, Boniface's #16

Eddie Phillips

Leland Putney

Russ Russell

Bill Scott, Benson, AZ, own Studebaker

Bill Smith 

Wayne Watkins

Bob Whitaker

1949

Image courtesy of George "Rocky" Rockwell

JULY 30, 1949  SOUTH MOUNTAIN SPEEDWAY, TROPHY DASH WINNER BOB BALL IN HERB BACKUS #76, JACQUE MERCER MISS PHX 1949

Photo Courtesy of George Rockwell

JULY 30, 1949  SOUTH MOUNTAIN SPEEDWAY, MAIN WINNER, EDDIE PHILLIPS IN JOE PITTMANS #27 Photo Courtesy of George Rockwell

1950

Image courtesy of George "Rocky" Rockwell

1951

1952

1953

Image courtesy of George "Rocky" Rockwell

The following data are for United Racing Association (URA) sanctioned races in Arizona for the years noted. All of the races were in Phoenix, except for one race in Globe in 1953. Compiled by and used with the permission of Don Webb, former URA Official.

FT = Fast Time, D = Dash, SM = Semi Main, M = Main

Apr 19 So. Mntn FT-Jack Jordan, D-Geo. Amick

SM-Johnny Paulson, M-Art Bisch

May 2 So. Mntn FT-Johnny Moorhouse, D-Joe DeHart

SM-Ernie Dression, M-Don Edmonds

May 30 So. Mntn FT-Jack Jordan, D-Howard Kelley

SM-Duke Beamer, M-Johnny Moorhouse

Jul 25 So. Mntn FT-Don Cameron, D-Art Bisch

SM-Bob Butters, M-Johnny Moorhouse

Aug 28 Globe FT-Don Cameron, D-Don Cameron

SM-Jay Barker, M-Johnny Moorhouse

Aug 29 So. Mntn FT-Billy Garrett, D-Paul Hammel

SM-Clarence Buckley, M-Johnny Moorhouse

Oct 3 So. Mntn FT-Jack Jordan, D-Art Bisch

SM- Roger McCluskey, M-Jack Jordan

Only two races, both at So. Mntn. Don’t know dates of races

FT-Art Bisch, Jerry Curry, D-Bud Clemons, Allen Heath

SM-Buddy Lee, Don Massetto, M-Art Bisch, Jack Jordan

1955. -- No Data

May 26 So. Mntn M-Wayne Weiler

Jul 7 So. Mntn SM-Roger McCluskey, M-Bill Cantrell

Don Goodwin fatally injured in 1^st Heat

Jul 28 So. Mntn SM-Tom Hensley, M-Johnny Moorhouse

Aug 18 So. Mntn SM-Clay Robbins, M-LesScott

Sep 15 So. Mntn SM-Tom Winchester, M-Johnny Moorhouse

Oct 20 Manzanita FT-Bill Cantrell, SM-Joe Binter, M-Clay Robbins

½ mile

Apr 6 So. Mntn D-Johnny Wood, SM-Clay Robbins, M-Wayne Weiler

Jun 8 So. Mntn D-Wayne Weiler, M-Wayne Weiler

Jun 29 So. Mntn SM-Buddy Lee, M-Don Staudinger

Aug 10 Manzanita D-Joe Binter, SM-Hank Henry, M-Clay Robbins, ¼ mile

Aug 31 Manzanita D-Bud Sterrett, SM-Jimmy Hayes, M-Wayne Weiler,½ mile

4/7/57: Billy Garrett, winner 100 mile USAC Midget Race. Photographs by John E. Isom

4/7/57: Hank Henry's Little Wolf Special. Photograph by John E. Isom

Shorty Templeman, AZ State Fairgrounds, USAC Midget Race, April 7, 1957. Photograph by John E. Isom

Jun 7 Manzanita FT-Johnny Wood, D-Johnny Wood

¼ mi. SM-Wayne Weiler, M-Johnny Wood

Jul 26 Manzanita D-Ray Clark, SM-Tom Kinney, M-Allen Heath

¼ mile

Sep 27 Manzanita D-Allen Heath, SM-Lou Stoltz, M-Parnelli Jones

¼ mile

10. Ray Crawford, Pasadena, CA 40

1959. -- No Data

Note: For the years 1960 and 1961 I was working as a URA Official for the few AZ races we ran. I do not have any data on race results.

Jul 16,Manzanita: 30 cars in pits, 30 cars qualified

Oct 1, Manzanita: 31 cars in pits, 29 cars qualified

Jan 22, Manzanita: 32 cars in pits, 30 cars qualified

May 6, Manzanita: 25 cars in pits, 25 cars qualified

Sep 3 So. Mntn.: 16 cars in pits, 15 cars qualified

USRC Results, Arizona Midgets (United States Racing Club)

Compiled by and used with the permission of Gerald Santibanes

No races in Arizona; 1967 Champion, Lowell Sachs

7/6 Phoenix Duane Sears/White Offy #50

8/3 Yuma Sonny White/Trainor Offy #24a

8/17 Phoenix Buddy Taylor

9/21 Tucson Buddy Talor/Trainor Offy #24a

10/12 Yuma Sonny White/Trainor Offy #24a

1968 Champion, Lowell Sachs

1969. No races in Arizona; 1969 Champion, Duane Sears
1970. Venue Car/Driver

      8/1 Yuma Duane Sears/Devitt Offy #4

      8/15 Phoenix Billy Shuman/Rydzewski Offy #84a

      Champion, Lowell Sachs

1971. No races in Arizona, 1971 Champion, Bob Olivero
1972. No races in Arizona, 1972 Champion, Danny McKnight

8/9/72, Lowell Sachs passes away at age 45 from leukemia. He won a total of 56 midget features with USRC, URA and USAC

4/14 Casa Grande Jerry McLean/McLean Chevy II #6

5/12 Yuma Chris Cumberworth/Cumberworth Sesco #41

11/10 Phoenix Roy Cook, Jr/White Sesco #32

11/10 Phoenix Danny McKnight/Len Fass,Jr Sesco #1

Champion, Ken Gidney

3/16 Phoenix Billy Shuman/Polnau Sesco #2a

6/29 Phoenix Buddy Taylor/Trainor Chevy II #24a

Champion, Sleepy Tripp

8/16 Phoenix Larry Patton/Noutary VW

Champion, Roy Cook Jr.

9/18 Phoenix Lealand McSpadden/Wells Chevy II, #15a

Champion, Roy Cook Jr.

9/24 Phoenix Lealand McSpadden/Grigsby Chevy II

Champion, Danny McKnight

1978. No racing in Arizona, Champion was Jon Rahe
1979. Venue Car/Driver

      8/11 Rainout

      9/22 Phoenix Larry Clark/Weiler Chevy II

      Champion, Larry Patton

1980. No racing in Arizona, Champion was Jon Rahe
1981. No racing in Arizona, Champion, Danny McKnight

USRC ceased operations in Aug or Sept, 1981

Casa Grande Central AZ Raceway, 1/4D

Globe Globe-Miami Speedway, 1/4D

Phoenix, Manzanita Speedway, 1/3 & 1/2D

Tucson Tucson Raceway Park

Tucson Corona Speedway

Tucson Raven Raceway, 1/4D

Yuma Yuma Speedway, 1/4D

WAYNE WEILER, Photo courtesy of Victor Esian

Bettenhausen-Bisch Action, Art Bisch, #81, Central Excavating Spl in the 87th mile of a 100 miler, June 8, 1958 from program, Milwaukee State Fair Park.

ARIZONA STATE FAIRGROUNDS MEMORABILIA

Pit Pass, Arizona midget races, at the Fairgrounds in Phoenix, from the Millet estate, photo courtesy of Keith Stribling.

TROPHY, URA ARIZONA STATE SPEEDWAY, MAIN EVENT WINNER, JIM BRYAN, 1948, photo courtesy of Keith Stribling

TUCSON MIDGET NOTES

(From the Daily Star microfilm)

October 5, 1935: First ever midget race was held at the Fairgrounds, which later was known as the Rodeo Grounds).  AAA Big Cars ran the next day on a 1/2 mile dirt track; midgets ran on a smaller track. A 30 Lap feature race was won by Harold Peterson. 

Here we need some information to fill in the years from 1935 to 1946. Please give us a call or email. 

1946: Racing was held at the Rodeo Grounds

3/2    Winner, Mott Golay

3/24    No results published, but it is believed that Tucson's Mott Golay won the feature

3/31    C. B. Moore

4/7    Pre-race advertising in Daily Star, but no results published.

4/14    Bob Hornbrook

4/21    Races held, Result unknown

4/28    Results unknown

5/12    Results unkown

5/18    Bob Hornbrook, #1

5/19    Bud Reiber, #15

6/1    Moore

6/7    Results unknown

6/15    Hargreaves, #7

6/22    Hornbrook

7/6    Results unknown

7/13    Results unknown

7/20    Lenz, #81

7/27    Rain

8/3    Rain

8/4    Results unknown

8/10    Lenz, #81

8/17    Results unknown

8/24    Results unknown

8/31    Larry Mecey, #10

9/7    Lenz, #81

9/14    Results unknown

9/21    Results unknown

9/29    Results unknown

10/6    Bob Hornbrook (Golay & Bob Williams hurt)

10/13    Eddie Lenz in Danny Wood's new V8-60, #81

10/20    Corky Benson, #21

10/27    Rain

Another gap in coverage until 1949.  Can you help fill this in?

1949 Race Results

10/6    Ernie Dietzman

10/13    Bill Cantrell

10/20    Bill Cantrell

10/27    Motorcycles

Track regraded, midgets switched to Sundays

11/13    Bobby Ball

11/20    Motorcycles

11/27    Clarence Aukley

At this point, Barney Armstrong, track manager splits with owner Walter Douglas.  Dudley Froy took over as manager and released a big list of drivers for the upcoming Grand Prix. 

12/11    Bob Whitaker, Phoenix

No more midget racing at Gilpin.  Jalopies took over and raced at Gilpin in 1950, 1951, and 1952. Track then closed. 

1953 RACE RESULTS

Racing opened again at the rodeo grounds to modified stocks - on May 24, midgets tried again.

7/10    Bernie Shires

8/7    Lowell Sachs

9/18    Bob Hornbrook

10/13    Bernie Shires

11/15    Bernie Shire

MIDGET FANS...can you help him out?

About Three years ago I purchased a 1979 Edmund's copy midget. What I know about this car is that it is from Phoenix Arizona. The person who built this car owned a machine shop in Phoenix. The car was white with a blue # 31. The engine is a Chevy Corvair injected. If you can get any history on this car it would greatly be appreciated. I would like to get owners name, drivers names, main event wins, heat wins, trophy dash wins, fast times, etc. This is a photo of the way it looks now. Thanks in Advance, L. D. Nix, midget22@att.net