Photo ID # e08.08.08_044_TAS_UNK_0059S_1
Car #: #44
Driver (s) : Al Tasnady
Location: Vineland, NJ
Date: 1959
Photographer: Unknown
Photo provided by: Russ Dodge
Comments: Senior Moment by:  Russ Dodge:

A Polaroid Moment!

A Polaroid camera captured this neat candid shot in the back yard of Williams Auto Parts in Vineland, N.J. The reconstruction of the front end of the famous Neal Williams owned 44, is under way.

Certainly glad to see cutting goggles are being used. Safety first! How about that frame jig (jack stands, cinderblock and some two-by-fours) as good as any Bear Alignment equipment!

In all seriousness, what a story this tells. For those who never had the opportunity to see this car run with Al Tasnady driving, you missed a thrill of a life time. This car would be considered a premier ride in its day and with Al at the wheel, the 1959 modified championship at Flemington was achieved.

Please condone one special memory!  One Saturday night in 1959, the 44 wasn’t in the pits at Flemington. The buzz in the covered grandstand was that Al wrecked the 44 at Alcyon Speedway Friday night and he was bringing out a new car this night. The Hobby stocks ran their races, the modified/sportsman heats were completed and no Tasnady.  After a lengthily intermission the consi line-up was called.

All of the sudden the crowd on the backstretch bleachers began to cheer. From the covered grandstands, headlights were seen coming up over the hill in the back and stop at the back track gate. The international red paint on the ’37 Ford sedan up on a trailer was gleaming under the lights. However, instead of coming across the track towards the infield, the pick-up and trailer turned and came around the track, stopping on the home stretch in front of the grandstand. Neal Williams and the crew unloaded the car, as the consi cars come onto the track. The grandstand roared as Al climbed into the 44!

Starting in the rear of the field he won the consi and from the consi cars starting position in the feature, he took that checkered also!

A little “favoritism” never hurts!  What a Senior Moment from this Polaroid snap-shot! Senior Moment by Russ Dodge
 

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Comment:

08/08/08 3-Wide Not sure if Polaroids were invented yet, but this is certainly a moment that almost 50 years later we're glad was captured on film.  Thanks for the story Russ.  Sounds like it was a pretty heads up call by the truck driver who decided to make sure the show didn't go on without them!
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

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