Former Alleganian Authors “Stock Car Racing in the ‘50s” Book
By Ron Taylor
July 30th and 31st (2014) will be two important dates to remember and celebrate as the official release of a long awaited book for area stock car racing fans.
Ford Easton, native of Friendship NY and now living in Florida, has announced that he will publicly release his book on July 30th at the Cuba Lake Raceway Reunion luncheon to be held at Moonwinks in Cuba NY. The luncheon mentioned is a pre-registration event.
On the following day, July 31st, in the Monday Club Room of David A. Howe Public Library starting at 2:00pm, Allegany County Historical Society will sponsor a program for Mr. Easton to introduce his book and talk about the early days of stock car racing which historically helped lay the groundwork for what is a super sport today, NACSCAR racing.
The presentation will include a highlight of WNY & nearby PA tracks which are included in the book as well as the reasons and events leading to the publishing of his book.
Following the 2:00pm presentation Mr. Easton will have some copies of his book available and will conduct an autograph session until 5:00pm. This presentation is free to the public. 
Previously mentioned Cuba Lake Raceway was one of many tracks in Allegany County covered within the book. Other tracks associated with Allegany County and included in the book are Angelica (Fairgrounds), Wellsville Raceway and Hunt Race Track. Shown here is a photo from the book provided by Ford Easton which shows a lineup at the former Wellsville track which was located where the present Elementary School complex resides. Look at the crowd of fans sitting on the hill at the backstretch where they were charged “by the carload” entrance prices. The grandstand was behind the photographer and was usually packed.
Pictured on the back cover of the book is the late-great driver, Dean Layfield. This book is the first book of its kind to publish showing the history of Allegany County Racing and the area race tracks.
Here is an early release view of the cover of the book.
The book contains 230 pages and will sell at the event for $15.00 each total. (If books are ordered after the two day event S/H will be $4 for one, $6 for two and $8 for 3-10 books, shipped via media mail rate.)