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Photo ID # f11.18.09_SEN_MOM_UNK_0050S_1
Car #: #44
Driver (s) : Ken Marriott
Location: See Comments Below
Date: 1957
Photographer: (1) Bob Sweeten, (2) Bob Sweeten, (3) William Curley
Photo provided by: Russ Dodge
Comments: Senior Moment From Russ Dodge:

"Mr. Outlaw" and "Old Bones"

It's Labor Day , 1957, at Alcyon Speedway and Ken "Bones" Marriott just finished a sweep of both 25 lap features in the special holiday program. The memory of that day always comes to life when I view the Bob Sweeten photos taken in the winner's circle.

Ken, from Baltimore, was one of those "pesky" Maryland drivers who came to New Jersey and were always a handful for my favorites, Tasnady, McLaughlin and Olsen! Marriott raced here when he had a ride, which I remember as being in Melvin Joseph's 49 Jr., Busty''s 98 and Neal William's 44. Al Tasnady had been the driver of the 44 early in the season but ken took over the driving chores later in the season. The photo shows how Ken got the knick name "Old Bones" but his Maryland racing friends address him as "Skinny". Ken was a smooth as could be behind the wheel and with that talent he earned the 1957 NASCAR modified national championship.

Painted on the hood of the 44 if you look closely you'll see "Mr. Outlaw". This sedan, driven earlier in the season by Tasnady was about "used up" but on that Labor Day it couldn't have run any greater! The photo shows former driver and NASCAR official Bob Hill and former sprint driver turned flagger Johnny Favinger, presenting "Old Bones" with the twin hardware! The old sedan was parked in the field when the season ended and Ken Marriott worked in Neal William's garage and built a new 44 coupe, "The Gem", to take to Daytona Beach in February. The 3rd photo show the car on the trailer in the snow getting ready for the Florida trip.

In Florida, Ken Marriott approached his friend and fellow Maryland driver Ralph Smith, and told him he was leaving racing and that Ralph should approach Williams for the ride in the 44 for the 1958 season. Ralph followed his advice and secured the ride for 1958.

"Mr. Outlaw" was not ready for "Boot Hill" yet! The local Vineland Speedway was opening up, no longer dirt but rather as a newly paved asphalt track. The driving veteran Steve Elias approached Neal Williams about driving the second car for him. Neal gave him the nod but made it clear he was basically on his own with the car as far as help working on it was concerned. Steve pulled "Mr. Outlaw" out of the weeds and with some old Jersey license plates and a welder, patched up the old sedan which was ready for the Vineland opener! No Steve didn't win the opener, neither did Ralph Smith, but instead, Neal's old second car driver from 1957 Elton Hildreth did. However, Steve drove "Mr. Outlaw" to victory the second and third week the speedway ran. He continued on finishing the season with numerous seconds and top 5's.

Ralph Smith had a great season as the "premier equipment" driver for Williams and recorded wins at Vineland, Alcyon and Middletown, New York . This Senior Moment ends in October as the cars are being prepped for Langhorne. Steve went on an errand to pick up tires for the big race and when he returned to the garage, Neal had removed the gas tank from the "Mr. Outlaw" sedan and placed it in Ralph Smith's coupe. It was larger than the tank they had run and he felt Ralph had a better chance to win at Langhorne. Obviously after what he had achieved with the "hand-me-down" equipment Steve, frustrated and angry, quit on the spot. Ralph Smith didn't win Langhorne. However, "Mr. Outlaw" was assembled by Williams and place 4th I believe, at Langhorne with Blackie Reider driving.

Senior Moment By: Russ Dodge

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Comment:

11.19.09 Charlie Miller These are the stories that keep bringing me back to this fine web-site. They are the tales that would never appear in the newspapers, but certainly should be told and remembered.  I couldn't help but notice The Outlaw has the carb breathers in descending order, while the new 44 has them in ascending order. Did someone find a new speed secret for a few more horsepower, or did it just look better.
11.20.09 Steve We were not ready for the first race at Vineland in 1958 but made the second.  We had a 292 ford running gasoline with one carburetor running against the modifieds.  We won the second and third race setting a new track record each time.

Went to Hatfield and won the first race there on the asphalt track and did the same thing at Wilmington.

The car wasn't the fastest on the track but the handling was great.

I feel lucky to be able to remember what happened way back when but the mind is still sharp at 85 years old.

Steve
11.20.09 3Wide We're the lucky ones Steve.  Always great to hear the history from the guys that made the history!
11.20.09 Bill Skinner Ken Marriott was the NASCAR Modified Stock Car Champion for 1957 despite not having one steady ride and missing two to three weeks with broken ribs. As Russ mentions, at Alcyon Ken drove the 49 and the 49 JR. of Melvin Joseph, the 300 of Joe Pustizzi, Pete Crescitelli, Millard Paulus and Associates, the 88A of George Hefner, the 98 of Busty Luzzo, and the 44s of Neal Williams.

His average finishing position in the features at Alcyon in 1957 was “third” while racing against the best drivers in the East as Alcyon and Vineland raced on different nights that year with both sets of drivers able to run at both tracks. All of this while driving at least a half dozen cars over the course of the year! Thanks. Bill Skinner
11.21.09 Ed Duncan Did the 44 Coupe thats on the trailor become Charlie Angermans novice car that ran at AC & Vineland?
11.21.09 Russ Dodge The 77 driven by Charlie Angerman, was red like the Williams 44, but that was about all. (1956 International red).

The 77 was built and owned by Bob and Adam Schwegel, from Millville. Bob Schwegel drove the car first but later had Henry Doerr and Jerry Camp as drivers before hooking up with Charlie. Note both cars had the Good Year Decal provided by Melini Tire Co. in Vineland and those super nice white pin stripes.

11.22.09 Russ Dodge This is a great Bob Farlee photo (below) of Ralph Smith in the Neal Williams 44 coupe at Old Bridge in 1958. For you really "Old Timers" look at the decal on the back of the car, located between the back window and the trunk lid. You can see a partial. What does it advertise? It was a very "hot and trick" item at that time!
11.22.09 3Wide Being born in 1960 Russ, I don't have a clue... Was it racing related?  I'll have to ask the audience! 
11.23.09 Ed Duncan Community Laundry - That sponsor came in handy when you scared the you know what out of yourself. LOL
11.24.09 Ned Stites III Decal pictured here:  http://www.fireballroberts.com/Fish_Pictures.htm
11.26.09 Tom Berry Jr. In the shot at Old Bridge, Pete Frazee is next to Ralph in the Joe Racz 41. Also I think that is my Dad, Tom Berry Sr. in the Nascar Jacket. he was the cheif Steward at OB and Johnny Zeke former driver and flagger standing in front of Dad.
     
     
     
     
     

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