Cuba Lake Raceway, 50's stock car racing, 13th annual reunion/luncheon for 50s and 60s stock car racing interests, July 29th 2015
The 13th annual Cuba Lake Raceway (CLR) reunion/lucheon will be held on Wednesday July 29th, 2015 at Moonwinks restaurant just north of the village of Cuba, NY on Rt. 305 and 1/2 mile from the site of the old CLR track. This year is very special as it was a year ago that my book was released at the 2014 reunion, and many of the folks that have purchased it are planning on attending this reunion to meet and visit with the "stars" in the book "Stock Car Racing in the '50s". Moonwink's can only handle 230 guests so this will cause a problem of an early sell out if all that have said they are coming in fact send in their registrations when they receive this invite as you are. Because of this it is extremely important you get your reservations in ASAP after you receive this invitation. Also make sure you include your phone # so I can call you if it is sold out when I receive your reservation.
Many drivers from the 50s/60s era are planning on attending such as: Bill Brainard, Tom Danielson, Paul Higbee, Al Birath, Bobby Schnars, Skip Furlow, Ron Blackmer, Mike Clark, Charles Duryea, Jim Jones, Ray Jordan, Imo Jean Layfield, Jim Scott, Al Skiver, Bill Tinque, Vic Whitney, Jimmy Worthington, DeVere Bliss, Bucky Dew, Dick Ferraro, Otto Goodwin, Dolly Gosper, Cal Lane, Ted Renshaw, Sammy LaMancuso, Blinky Litzinger, Chuck McKeirnan, Doug Pringle, Leon Reed, Billy Schroth, Ken See(the mystery man), Ron Williams, Sonny Wittmeyer, Dick Close, Herb Layfield, Art Clark, Dick Hurd, Ed Ortiz, Squirt Johns, Tom Dill, and Basil Shutt to name few. Several 50's track owner/builders are planning on attending too: Paul Amidon(Hornell Raceway), Howard Boyce(South Senaca Speedway), Don McNitt(Roll-O-Bowl Speedway). Past luncheon/reunions have had drivers and other notables of that era of racing from 7 States and Canada attending. The MC duties this year will be in the very capable hands of Gary Montgomery as Larry Dye is taking a year off and staying in Florida for the summer.
Registration starts at 10:30 with lunch at 12:15pm. Sit-down luncheon has an entree choice of Scampi style Haddock or Roast Turkey with Stuffing & Gravy along with all the trimmings. Cost of $14.00/person includes full meal, beverage (alcohol drinks not included but may be purchased if desired), tax and gratuity.
Price is the same as last 12 years, for an unbeatable sit-down meal and a great program unequaled anywhere along with being able to visit with the greats that attend that were our heroes 50-60 some years ago. Dress code is casual so come early for registration, grab a coffee or tea, courtesy of Moonwinks, and visit with all the other 220+ or so that are attending with you. Many drivers and fans bring picture albums and related memorabilia that is available for viewing. We also have a fun short auction of old racing items so if you have some around home or in the shop bring them with you for the auction. You will get a chance to bid on and win that item you have always wanted too.
RSVP and payment of $14.00/person required and to be at Florida address by July 15th along with name(s) of person(s) attending and choice of entree for each. Advise with your RSVP and payment your choice of entree for each person attending. I also need your phone # this year in case reunion is sold out. Remember get reservation to me ASAP so you and your friends are in the 230 limit window. Check or money order made payable to: Ford Easton, 5200 28th St. N. # 651, St. Petersburg, FL 33714.
Program:
I am pleased to announce our guest speaker is Ken Parrotte from West Monroe, NY near Syracuse. Ken has been a fan of all forms of motor sports since attending his first race at Brewerton Speedway in 1963. He has done research for years and will be sharing with us a very interesting audio/visual program on the NASCAR Late Model Short Track Division 1951-1959.
The most enjoyable part about auto racing for me is the research part which started at that first race in 1963. I have provided articles for local race programs, provided research for a few books (As a Matter of Fact I am Parnelli Jones, Bull Rings, URC Sprint Cars), and created over 50 unpublished research projects for my own satisfaction (a few examples of these can be found on First SuperSpeedway.com). For the past four years I have been a presenter at the November Saratoga Automobile Museum’s “Lost Speedways” program on such topics at the All Star Stock Car Racing League 1967 – 1973, Jim Reed and the 1959 Darlington 500, NASCAR Late Model Short Track Division 1951 – 1959, Oswego Speedway Stock Cars 1951 – 1961.
Overview of Ken's presentation at the reunion:
- NASCAR Late Model Short Track Division 1951 – 1959
- The story of this defunct NASCAR division is a pot of gold from the end of that rainbow
- The series ran races at a number of tracks in WNY, PA and Ontario… the series ran from border to border, coast to coast
- NASCAR had so many requests for race dates from track promoters of less than ½ mile in length NASCAR formed a new series for 1951 called the NASCAR Late Model Short Track Division
- The same drivers and cars that ran at Darlington would be at the next race, a NASCAR Late Model Short Track Division race
- The same specifications for the Late Model Short Track Division as the Grand National Circuit (Cup)
- Zipper Top
- Drivers like Lee Petty, Parnelli Jones, Buck Baker, Curtis Turner, Jim Reed, Roscoe Hough… the pioneers of NASCAR
- Sweepstakes Races
- The Late Model Short Track Division, along with the Convertible Division, fell by the wayside after the 1959 season as NASCAR headed into the Super Speedway era
Any questions contact Ford Easton at fjeaston@aol.com or 727-522-4042. Special note: remember RSVP and payment must be at my Florida address on or before July 15th. No day of event registration or payment allowed. Payments are non refundable because of restaurant requirements. I am really looking forward to seeing everyone. Going to be a very busy day but we all will have fun. This is the day to forget all your personal and physical problems and just enjoy yourself!!