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Photo ID # I05.09.12_118_GUT_UNK_0059S_1
Car #: #118
Driver (s) : Glenn Guthrie
Location: Alcyon Speedway (Pitman, NJ)
Date: 1959
Photographer: Russ Dodge
Photo provided by: Russ Dodge
Comments: Senior Moment From Russ Dodge:

Travlin' Light!

I am quite proud of the two rolls of color film I shot at Alcyon Speedway in 1959.  The high cost of developing film (around $4 for 8 shots)  made my selection of worthy subjects difficult.  The photo above wasn't high on my "necessity" list but was spontaneous and ended up being near the top of the "glad I did" list, as I look back today.

The speedway, located in Pitman, NJ, was always at the top of my favorite places to be, regardless of the fact as I look back at photos today, I realize what a rundown facility it was.  However the unkempt grounds never prevented the track from hosting exciting, highly competitive programs each week.  From the first race in 1957 until the track closed in 1960, four NASCAR national modified champions Ken Marriott '57, Budd Olsen '58, Glenn Guthrie '59 and Johnny Roberts 1960, used Alcyon as a regular stop on their racing circuit!   Add Al Tasnady, Jackie McLaughlin, Reds Kagle, Ralph Smith as a sample of the rest of "the mix" and you had the "Who's Who" in Modified-Sportsman racing in the Northeast.

The photo shows the 118 of Glenn Guthrie being towed through the infield towards the exit at the 5th turn of the speedway.  Because of the number of spectator's cars still there, I wonder if Glenn was leaving as quick as he could on this holiday afternoon show to race again later that evening, in his quest for those NASCAR championship points?

Some Neat Stuff In The Picture:  The 118 was a 1937 Ford sedan and was showing a little more ware and tare on the fenders than usual for a Guthrie car.  A special bracket was made to bolt on the back bumper to carry the tag and towing lights and was complimented by the running lights on the back of the roof.  The right front racing tire was replaced with a lower profile towing tire to make the car sit level for traveling.  The right side door handle tell us the doors opened to provide storage area inside the car for the jack, spare tires and other necessities to race!  Finally the back window of the Lincoln shows the full crew aboard ready to travel!

Glenn Guthrie was a first class act.  He was an engineer with Ford Motor Company and part of his requirements required technical solutions to mechanics in the field with problem they encountered.  His job provided the access to the beautiful Lincolns he used periodically for towing.  A story on Glenn would not only be warranted because of his racing accomplishment, but because of his total life, including the importance of family to him.  Sadly, Glenn passed away from ALS in 1983.

The following link is included to show the continuation of Glenn involvement in racing after the days of his coupes and sedans. Thanks for listening.

http://www.wingedmessenger.net/RaceCars.htm

Senior Moment by Russ Dodge

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Comment:

05.10.12 George Gwynn Thanks, as always, Russ for another great chapter in your historical perspective of our great sport. Being just 9-10 years old, during the halcyon days of Alcyon speedway, my memory does allow for some vivid recollections of the time and my experiences there.

I do remember Glenn Guthrie, being one of my favorite drivers. Of all of the Maryland invaders that were a constant fixture in the Garden State, I enjoyed watching both Glenn and Ed Lindsey the most. Both were very professional in their demeanor and appearance, drove terrific looking modifieds and were very, very friendly to those of us who sought them out following a race. And, last but not least, were always very competitive on the speedway.

It would really be nice if someone could put together enough information for a bio of both of these great racers as well as a bio on Al Tasnady.... probably one of the best of their time without any biographical documentation on their lives and racing careers.

George Gwynn,
Frederick, MD
05.11.12 Ray Miles Russ, thanks for sharing, what a great photo and your story behind it, even better yet. Though I never went to a race at Alcyon, your description of the photo and car is priceless, it almost gives you the feeling that you're right there, which is why I encourage the young racers today to take photos of their careers and not just the car being on the track.

This photo says it all, there's a lot going on in there, what a piece of nostalgia. We'd like to see more like this.
05.12.12 Bill K  What really caught my eye in this picture is the dust kicking up behind the 118's rear wheels. With the race car in focus and everything else in the photo a little blurred, you actually get the feeling of movement when you look at this picture! Pretty good photography, and of course the subject matter doesn't hurt either. I wasn't old enough to start traveling down to NJ until 1963 so really appreciate all the great pics from this era. Since this is from 1959, is this the car Glenn primarily used to win the NASCAR Modified National Championship, or was he using the black coupe as well?
05.15.12 Russ Dodge This is the car that I recall he used. He did use the Mothershead black coupe in 1958.
05.17.12 Bill K Russ, thanks for the info on this car. I build models of the old coupes and coaches for a hobby. Sites like 3 Wide have been a great help to me in researching some of these cars, and in fact I have been able to do several thanks to color pics that you posted. Have been working on doing the winning cars for each year for the NASCAR Modified and Sportsman national champions, as well as Langhorne "Open" and Daytona Speed Weeks Mod/Spts winners, did the black #118 coupe, which I believe Glenn won Langhorne with in '57 (renumbered 82 by the 'Horne officials) and always kind of assumed that he also used that car in winning the '59
NASCAR Modified title, with this pic I can now do the correct car for 1959. Thanks for helping me to get it right.
05.19.12 Russ Dodge The very first Senior Moment I sent into the vault had the Langhorne win of Glenn Guthrie as the topic. I have attached another great color photo by Bob Farlee of the Mothershead's 118 at Alcyon Speedway in 1958. The coolest part of this photo is seeing the back of Glenn's shirt!

 
07.28.12 Rob Jones

Thank you for the picture and info on Glen. I was too young to see him in his early days of racing, but spent many days at Beltsville speedway, rooting for Glen. There weren't many fords racing at the time, but Glen's 1970 Cougar was not only one of the fastest, but was the prettiest on the track as well. I eventually owned a 69' XR7 because I liked his so much. Thanks - Rob Jones

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

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