Clause (Or Because) In The Sales Agreement!

This photo of Will Cagle at Atco Speedway brings back memories of a late friend of mine, Earl Wilson. His background in racing made the progression from being a fan at Vineland, Atco and Pleasantville, to a stint as a "go-for" for driver/owner Carl Grinar when starting out his career, all the way to a very short term as owner-driver of his own sportsman A-1 at Atlantic City and Bridgeport Speedways.

He often told a story of Will Cagle selling this car that went along this line. Will Cagle was running real strong at Atco Speedway and one night Walt Donald, approached Will and asked if his race car was for sale. (This is the Walt Donald who later owned and drove the 325 and 327 modifieds. In his younger starting-out days, he would often walk the pits and approach car owners looking for ride by offering them an enticement like a couple new tires and they keep the winnings, if they let him drive! Knowing this for a fact led credibility to the story for me.) Will said yes, the car could be bought.

He said the car would be available after the races that night and the price was $1,000. That wouldn't work because Walt wanted the car then to use that night. Cagle said, then if you want it now it's $1,100! When asked for the increased "buy it now" price, Will responded, "there isn't any question in your mind about me winning the feature tonight, is there? If I sell it to you now for the thousand, I'll be losing a hundred dollars! The deal was made with the "buy it now" price with the new driver placing 4th in the feature that night.

It's hard to believe it's been 50 years since this event took place. Over the years spanning the time I first heard Earl's account of the sale, up until this past November at Fleming's Pumpkin Run Show, I've wondered about the accuracy of the account, particularly since Pleasantville Speedway records and photos document Johnny Bennett in the former Cagle's coupe, repainted with the number 666 Jr. on it.

At Flemings, I had a chance to sit with Will and show him the photo taken at Atco and told him the story my friend Earl had shared with me about the selling of the coupe. Will smiled and said, "That sounds about right!" Will has always been a sharp businessman and I think took pride in the fact he got the extra hundred bucks! He couldn't recall it being Walt Donald as the person buying the car but did recall that Johnny Bennett did well with the car later after it was purchased.

Will went on and told of a car he bought off of Bob Rossell. It was a car less wheels and motor and the price was $1,300. He told Bob he wanted the right front wheel for the car. (He said I needed that because that would give me a clue to what set up I would need) Bob told him that would be $10.00 and if he wanted the fuel in the tank, that would be another $3.00. So Cagle bought the car for $1,313! Both Will and Bob laughed at that and both remembered that exact amount!

The memories of the old stories have carried me over the past 50 years and I'm so happy that new ones come along now, like from the reunion in November, to carry me into the future with the same joy.

Thanks for listening.
Senior Moment By Russ Dodge

Comment: