b05.21.05_292_024_FLM_0073_1.jpg (81146 bytes)

Photo ID # b05.21.05_292_024_FLM_0073_1
Car #: #292, #24
Driver (s) : Al Michalchuk, Newt Hartman
Location: Flemington
Date: 1973
Photographer: Hank Winecker
Photo provided by: Hank Winecker
Comments: Comments from Hank:  Hi Joe,  I knew you would like this photo that I took in 1973.  "Al Wins Over Newt Hartman."  I like how you can clearly see the fans cheering, and Al feverishly gripping the wheel.  Looks to me that Ronny Seiple was the flagger.
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Comment:

05/21/05 3-Wide Well Hank.... you're right.  I do like this photo....

Simply put, this photo is why there is a 3 Wide's Picture Vault.

  Many of you have asked, so here it is one more time...  I started the site in 2002 with about 25 pictures of race cars from the 70's... and about 20 of them were of Al Michalchuk.

  We see a lot of great photos, and all mean a little something different to each of us, but it's no secret that seeing this #292 Coupe, with Al at the wheel, brings it all back to me, and I want to thank Hank Winecker for taking the photo, and for sharing it with me, and for giving me the ok to share it with you.

  Sometimes I don't think many of today's fans understand what we mean when we talk about the excitement and character of  both the men and the machines of year's past.  (Now I know that some of you are probably laughing at me by referring to the 70's as "years past", as your era may have been the 60's... or maybe even the 50's....  But for me, this photo is it....)

  Not too long before this photo was taken, Al rolled this car between turns 3 & 4 and wrecked it so bad that at first he couldn't even get out of the mangled #292 as it layed on it's roof.  It wasn't until Al removed his helmet that he managed to then squeeze his way out of the side window. 

  Al had the car back that Saturday.  Not with Speed Shop parts..., but instead with the knowledge and skill and ingenuity that made men like Al and his father capable of willing the life back into what others would have written off...

And I'm pretty sure that what you see above is that Saturday Night... some 32 years ago....in the final lap of the 15 lap Sportsman Feature...under the lights in the late night hours at Flemington.  There it is again for all to see, and for all to remember.. 

"Michalchuk leads them into 3...  It's Hartman looking low through the short-chute...  Whoooooo's it gonna be as they come out of 4... It's Michalchuk...  MIchalchuk gets a little crossed up coming out of 4....    It's Michalchuk,  Michalchuk in for the win...  Taking the win is Trenton New Jersey's Al Michalchuk in the #292 followed by Newt Hartman....."

Yup... if you listen close you can almost hear Bill calling it as only he could...

And that's the way it happened...  Just a little out of shape....,   willing the battle scarred #292 across the line... just slightly ahead of one of the all time sportsman greats.... and to the delight of many in the packed grandstand, Al won one for the little guy... The guy who never gave up... The guy who did whatever he had to do to take his shot at the glory that came to the few who found victory at what will always be my favorite place... in what will always be my favorite time.

Thank you again Hank Winecker.

05/27/05 Dave Spurlin I'm sure I was there! When was the last time you saw the stands packed like this during a regular show!???
05/28/05 Kevin B Dave's right, All I can think is that when the big money and store bought cars came in it took away all those guys that fabricated their own cars. thus possibly taking away the family and friends out of the stands of the guys who built the cars. thus the slow decline of fans and car counts! After all this isn't Nascar, it was just meant to be an family fun sport-hobby. And if you think about it Nascar's Saturday night races are also hurting all the country's local tracks fan counts!
06/04/05 steve fegley I was only 7 but I'm sure I was there, and if Newt Hartman was on the track, I was watching .
03.25.12 Kevin Varanyak WOW 3-WIDE I too can hear Bill Singer in my mind calling the races as only he could ! I grew up Friday night at East Windsor speedway on Friday night then Saturday night at Flemington, Wall Stadium if my dad thought the weather was going to be better.  Also went to reading and Nazareth for special races 1965 through 1975 were my years then came girls.... lol
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

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