HARMONY SPEEDWAY HOSTED FIRST NORTHEAST RACE OF THE 1970's

Provided by Harmony Speedway Historian Greg Collins, who used the Area Auto Racing News, the Easton Express, and his attendance at this event as sources for this article.  

The advertisement in the March 4, 1970, issue of Area Auto Racing News proclaimed it to be the “1^st Race of the ’70 Season”.  The Harmony Speedway, a five-eighths mile dirt track located on River Road in Brainards, New Jersey, hosted the event on Sunday afternoon, March 8.  Track owner Dick Crouse, race promoter Richard Gerhardt and chief steward Jim Nelson presented a racing program featuring modified stock cars which included heat races, a consolation race and a 30 lap feature race.   

Pit gates opened at 10 o’clock for participants, and the 8,000 seat grandstand opened at 11:30 a.m. for spectators.  Warm-ups began at 11:30 a.m. with the first heat taking the green flag at 1:00 p.m.  Approximately 2,500 fans braved the chilly, windy conditions on that early March afternoon.  Admission prices were $2.50 for adults, $.50 for children under the age of 12, and children under 6 admitted free. 

The first heat race was won by Craig McCaughey in his #301, followed by Leon Manchester, Pepe Fernandez, and Ed Mann. 

The second heat race was won by Al Tasnady in the Cozze #44, followed by Ray Neary, Phil Gemenden, and Jerry Morgan. 

The third heart race was won by Dick Havens in the Taylor #93, followed by Roy Pauch, Joe Kelly and Jackie Hamilton. 

The consolation race was won by Larry Honey in the #7, followed by Fred Bidwell and Jay Beers. 

A special event on that afternoon was a scheduled 5 lap match race during the intermission period between Bucky Barker in the Ann Williams-owned URC sprint car and Al Tasnady in the Cozze Brothers #44 modified coupe.  Barker’s sprint car had the advantage through the turns and coming off the turns, but Tasnady’s modified had the advantage on the straights.  The race proved to be anti-climatic as Barker’s engine blew on the second lap of the race.  Tasnady was in the lead at the time.

In the 30 lap feature race, Ed Farley started on the pole position and led the first two laps.  Al Tasnady roared through the pack from his 17^th starting position and took over the lead from Farley on lap three.  Tasnady built a commanding lead while behind him Jackie Hamilton was locked in an early race duel with Leon Manchester and Ray Neary for second place.  Tasnady led until lap 23 when the drive shaft broke on the Cozze #44, forcing him to a stop in the first turn. 

On the restart Hamilton assumed the lead with Neary in hot pursuit.  Behind them Roy Pauch and Craig McCaughey were battling for third position.  Hamilton’s lead was short-lived as an axle snapped on his racer with just two laps to go, forcing him to slow his pace.  Pauch also encountered mechanical problems and was forced to slow his pace.    

Neary now assumed the lead and kept the Fred Menschner-owned silver #21 out in front for the final two laps of the race, taking the checkered flag six car lengths ahead of Craig McCaughey.  Finishing third through tenth were Jackie Hamilton, Ed Mann, Ed Farley, Mike Erb, Larry Honey, Fred Bidwell, Roy Pauch and Jay Beers. 

The advertised purse offered to participants was 60% of the gate.  The drivers eventually shared a $3,000 purse, with $500 going to feature winner Ray Neary.  Area Auto Racing News columnist Walter T. Chernokel noted in his column dated March 11 that the payout for the feature event was coordinated by Harold Rulon and Joe Mundics, and consisted of the following breakdown for positions first through tenth:  $500, $400, $325, $265, $200, $160, $135, $110, $105 and $100.