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Senior Moment From Russ Dodge:
Time Travelers
This Senior Moment I'm titling time
travelers. After viewing this beautiful black and white photo taken at the
Interstate Stock Car racing Association banquet in 1955, I thought it may be
interesting to trace the direction followed in life of those pictured. This
is not intended to be complete biographies but simply over views, using my
recollections and current info available on the internet.
Romeo Gelsi on the right and his partner Jules "Toots" Armellini hold their
1st place Modified Championship Trophy earned at the new Vineland Speedway
in 1955. Their car, driven by Al Tasnady, carried the number 44, a number
which continued to be used by Al at times throughout his career. Romeo
actually started the line of 44 cars a couple years before and drove for a
while. Romeo wasn't afraid of the gas pedal and after a "tuff learning
curve" he placed more experienced drivers Bernie Hart and Chic DiNatale,
behind the wheel. Romeo raced at Atco, Pleasantville and Alcyon Speedways
with his car. As the opening of the new local Vineland Speedway approached
Romeo, along with a new racing partner Toots Armellini, a new coupe was
built with Pa. veteran driver Ken Wismer as the intended driver. However a
last minute change place a young rising star named Al Tasnady in the seat.
Romeo, it should be noted was also responsible for fielding a pair of 1956
Ford late models, a #2 car for Frankie Schneider and a #44 for Al Tasnady.
Romeo phased out of stock car racing that year and the 44 number was passed
on to another Vineland car owner Neal Williams. Romeo Gelsi then
concentrated on his Gelsi Trucking, developing that into a very successful
business. Romeo's son Bob founded and developed Gelsi's Mustang World, which
specializes in Ford Mustang parts and award winning caliber restorations.
Bob also was instrumental in an effort to develop East Coast Truck Racing,
starting back in the late 90's.
A side note to friends of the "Old Master". Ask Frankie about his friend
Romeo. I believe Frankie raced out of his garage for a period of time then
and looks back at that time with great memories.
Toots Armellini, along with his wife, had started a flower transport
business hauling flowers from South Jersey into New York. They started with
one truck and a barn for a terminal in 1945. When this photo was taken, he
had added deliveries to the New England states.
Toots' involvement in racing ended basically ended at the end of the 1956.
The demands of his business was requiring his full attention. By the early
60's Armellini had moved his headquarters to Florida in the heart of the
flower growing region and started hauling flowers daily to New York and
north. He help design and develop refrigerated trailers specifically built
to promote air circulation when hauling flower boxes.
Armellini Industries today is made up of many businesses: Armellini Express
Line Inc., J.A. Flower Service Inc., Fresco Services Inc. and NorthStar
Transportation Inc. Toots' family still keeps their businesses at the
leading edge in their field of expertise. For more information check out
http://www.armellini.com/corporate_overview.html
Dick Werchan earned rookie of the year at the new Vineland Speedway driving
for car owner Neal Williams. Driving Neal's first and only orange 717, Dick
finished second in sportsman points. All of the 717's after the first car
were black with orange trim. In 1957 Elton Hildreth took over the 717, and
Dick fielded his own 96 car for a while.
Dick was a heck of a nice guy with a great sense of humor. I asked him about
the first 717 which carried a "Laird's Apple Jack" ad on the side. He said,
"that was a joke. We had a period of time when we hung out at the old Grove
Tavern in Vineland and drank apple jack, so we painted it on the car!" Dick
had a egg business which transported eggs to Philadelphia from Vineland,
which was in the heart of chicken country back then. Later he had his own
construction business. His career was short, about 3 years, but he thought
enough of that time in his life that he enjoyed attending racing reunions
when he could.
Neal Williams was an active car owner from basically 1955 until 1960. In
that 5 year period he established a name and reputation that is still
remembered today. Neal Williams took over the 44 number and car in 1957 when
Gelsi and Armellini ended their direct racing activities. He kept Al Tasnady
in the red 44 as his driver with the exception of the last two month of the
1957 season and all of the 1958 schedule. Using 1957 NASCAR champ Ken
Marriott to finish that season and veteran Ralph Smith in 1958. He also
fielded the 717 for Elton Hildreth and a #717, 1956 Mercury late model for
Hildreth and Tasnady to use.
Neal's cars were always fast, usually sharp appearing and set a standard of
consistency for winning. Tas at Alcyon, Flemington and Nazareth, Ralph Smith
particularly at Alcyon and Middletown.
Neal sold his car to Sterling Lerch in 1960, who continued to field the 44's
for Tasnady until 1962. Neal passed away at a relatively early age, but
today the name is carried on by his grandson, Neal Williams, at the wheel of
the Williams 44. Williams Auto & Truck Parts is still in business today
operated by Neal's son Ronnie. in Pittsgrove, N.J (close to Vineland)
Dom Battelini, along with his friend Haig Avakian, fielded a car numbered
72. The gray and red sportsman won the 1955 sportsman title at Vineland
Speedway with Bill Hill at the wheel. A visit to the Battelini web site
shows the garage used to house the car. The same garage, only larger by
additions , is still used for the Battelini towing business. Dom carried on
the family garage business which started in 1926.
Today the business continues on by supplying flat beads and wreckers for
extremely heavy work. Check out the web site for interesting details.
http://www.battelinistowing.com/
Dom was another local racer who became involve as a car owner when a new
local speedway open and left the sport after a few seasons, setting a
notable mark while they were involved.
Haig Avakian was partners with Dom Battlelini on the 1955 sportsman
championship car. My knowledge of Haig Avakian is limitedl He passed away at
a very young age and I never met him. Veteran Vineland stock car owner Tony
Ruberti, while reviewing my Vineland photos, made comment about what a nice
gentleman he was and how great deal of sadness resulted from his untimely
passing.
Al Tasnady holds his 1955 championship trophy. I could write volumes on his
accomplishments in his two decades of racing. It's just neat to see him at
the age of 26, still young in his career. Al was one of the very best and
we'll leave it at that!
I know that this memory will have perhaps limited appeal compared to some of
the materials and photos submitted, but I want to get it out in cyber space
or where ever this electronic stuff ends up! They say once it is created it
ends up stored somewhere! These memories may be starting on an eternal
journey. After all they've made it 55 years already! LOL |