I was talking with a guy who couldn't understand how my interest in racing (mostly oval track) lead me into period correct hot rods, because in his words "Hot Rodding has nothing to do with auto racing!" I couldn't believe anyone could make such a statement. I told him "Hot Rodding has everything to do with auto racing! Hot rods and hot rodders have been involved in all forms of auto racing! Dry lakes/land speed, drag racing, oval track, and road racing." He did relent on dry lakes and drag racing, but still saw no connection to oval track or road racing. He had no idea who Troy Ruttman was or that started in track roadsters before winning the Indianapolis 500 in 1952. Ruttman may be the most famous roadster driver but he is in no way the only one to make it to Indy. Pat Flaherty also an Indy 500 winner who started in roadsters Dan Gurney started out as a hot rodder, NASCAR Grand National road raced, and made it to also made it to Indy. 24 hour of La Mas winner On a local level Bud Hinman (I have been lucky enough to be friends with Bud for 25 years) 1969 Mid-State speedway track champ and Central New York stock car Hall of fame member started out hot rodding. Max Balchowsky road raced his 32 Ford (built by Jimmy Summers) roadster before building his famous Yell Yellers Troy Ruttman number 20 this car was also driven by Pat Flaherty Troy Ruttman 1952 Indy winner Pat Flaherty 1956 Indy winner Dan Gurney Bud Hinman age 11 Bud's hot rod now owned by Eli English Bud's 1969 Championship winning car "Bug" or cut down 34 Ford Max and Ina Balchowsky
Competed Indy 500 in 1934. If you remove the body it looks like you could drop the California Kid body right onto the chassis. Still very competitive in 'Vintage' racing.
All I can say is that the individual may have grown up in an area were there were no circle tracks or racers. Or in a family where there was no interest in circle track racing. I grew up listening to the Indy 500 on the radio with my dad or my stepfather depending on who I was with on Memorial day. I followed the exploits of a local racer (Jack Passenger) in his Hudsons in the local paper from the time I could read. He later became a bit of a mentor to me when I would stop by his shop with a question when I was a teenager. The first shop I worked in as a mechanic belonged to JT Carpenter a long time dirt track racer in Central Texas. Those guys were 100 % hot rodders with their dirt modifieds. Sometimes folks live in their own little world and don't look over the fence to see what is on the other side.
Regarding the person in question, it's okay not to know everything. But he shouldn't think that he does.
Really dig those pics of Gurney growing up in his cars. Was a Gurney fan as a very young guy. Seeing that progression from street roadster to GT-40 is quite the life! An eye-opener in determination, if there ever was one. Joe
The sad thing is he knows a couple hall of fame caliber stock car racers. Rich Ricci a hot rodder turned oval track racer. Rich use to terrorize the streets of Kingston NY with his Y-block powered 40 Ford. He still owns the 40. Rich Ricci (left) with his granddaughter (current big block modified racer) Allison Ricci The other "Little" Joey Lawrence stock car machinic/builder/driver turned hot rodder in modern times.
In a case like that 'bout all you can do is pop his head back up his butt, buckle his belt EXTRA TIGHT for him, then quietly walk away....
Can't fix stupid! Well you can, but it's not legal! I always thought of the Valley modifieds as Hot Rods. Now my project is being built with a lot of the same parts we used back in the day, oh and it's a T bucket, mostly...
I worked with a guy that was trying to impress me all the time with his "knowledge" about hot rods, racing, etc. I always thought his range of automotive interests was a little spotty. Discovered that he was a lifelong Popular Mechanix subscriber.
Most of us on here are PASSIONATE about cars/hot rods and racing. Not all are.Like some ,I listened to racing on the radio before it was on TV . I read everything I could about INDY,DAYTONA,and anything from California car related. And I had 4 older brothers who were heavy into cars. Bottom line,SOME FOLKS JUST DON'T GET IT. Smile and carry on!!
Pit Pass from Rhythm Inn Speedway Millers Falls, Massachusetts Racing from Rhythm Inn Speedway- The track was located on the same property as a strip club that was its namesake.
The Jalopy Journal
