I was going to post this in another thread, but, I didn't want to hijack it anymore than I already have (apologies to 401Nailhead65) From; http://www.floridastockcars.com/gal...s+the+1955+GN+race+_fireball+22_com_.jpg.html
i know this is a buick thread but my neighbor and owner of all the ace hardware stores around here passed away this summer. he ran one of the special crysler 300 car for a few years and holds the all time speed record on the beach. i have mixed emotions about it since i knew him i feel good about his record. but after investigating the facts. i kinda feel like he cheated. the record was saposed to be with a stock cars but they wre specialy build by crysler and given only to the people who raced.. thre are many sites with more facts but this one shows the care he ran http://www.russoandsteele.com/collector_car/1960_chrysler_300_f__special___/42-6013.html john
Thanks for posting.... brings back memories,,,,,Roberts was known for his aggressive driving,,, if a fellow racer would not get out of the way , he would ram them and knock them out of the way.... several years later he was killed in a racing accident.... Ironicly , he was reported to have burned to death.... This was a time when the ''stock cars'' were really the cars that could be bought at the dealer.... and not the tube frame and shell cars that you have now.... this promoted fierce brand loyalty among the fans......
Doc I live about 30 minutes away from where he spent a part of his life ..he actually died of pneumonia about 2 months after being severely burned in a racing accident in 64 I believe it was....he didnt die in the actual crash.
Sounds about right,,, I got burned , 2nd and 3rd degree, 28% of my body and that was one of the 2 things they were really concerned about.... infections, and pneumonia.....i found out there are 2 things you dont want to do in life,,, get burned real bad and die.... in that order.....:Smarty:
The current December 2010 issue of Collectible Automobile has a very detailed feature article on the late Gregg Ziegler and his Daytona Beach record setting Chrysler 300F. :TU:
So, in the end, who REALLY was cheatin'??????? FireBall got all the OK's for the work he did on his '55. He WAS within the rules as per what he was told he could or could not do. In the end FireBall & Buick were cheated. A basically, for all intent purposes, a stock '55 Buick/322 3 laps ahead of FACTORY prepped ALL OUT RACE cars. Even in '55 MONEY TALKS!!!!!!
It is my understanding that; On the Buick the push rods' lengths were revised to match the different thickness head gaskets that officials required. And, that; it was those revised pushrods that were found to be against the rules. Or, not?
for those who might be interested in a little roundy-round, Westerman is the announcer at Auburndale Speedway. http://auburndaleracing.com/
