(Jim Cheney photos from Stu Lord Collection) – My pal Stu Lord spent many years in the thick of the short track racing scene in New England. Serving as the track announcer at Lee Speedway, crewing on race cars, reporting on races, and generally being one of “the” guys who had his finger on the pulse of the whole region’s activity. With his long history in the sport, Stu met and befriended many people, one of them was a man named Jim Cheney. Jim provided Stu with a great collection of photos shot during what we think is one of the coolest eras in the history of short track racing, the 1950s and 1960s. These photos were taken by Cheney back in the day and feature cars in the modified and super modified classes. These are rowdy and bad ass hot rods with injected small block engines, steel bodies, slicks, and dudes with t-shirts behind the wheel.
In the gallery of about 20 photos, you’ll see action photos of cars on tracks like Lee Speedway (still open), Star Speedway (still open), and West Peabody (closed). There is an incredible photos of a car that left the track and literally crashed through the grandstand! Note that the engine is a Nailhead, which adds to the irony entirely. The collection of photos is a smattering of action, crashes, driver and car static shots and more. We were thinking about the value of all the vintage steel in today’s dollars and it is a lot. Hell, you’ll see one car with a Vicky body on it that would be worth its weight in gold to a hot rodder today! We’re guessing that all of these cars eventually went out with their boots on.
Just a fantastic gallery of racing history captured through the lens of Jim Cheney. Thanks a million to Stu Lord for sharing the photos with BangShift!
Lots of enjoyable evening at several central Wisconsin tracks like Beavee Dam, Dells, portage, and several more. Good times, if dangerous
First rollover got a six-pack from local tavern sponsors. I remember deliberate rollovers if none had happened. by the end of the night. Dick Durst, johnny Lobeck, Dick Trickle, Fred Fasbender and dozens more.
Lower picture…..helmet wedged in front of rear tire…..I hope the owner is still not wearing it…