Great thread below about the many different drivers of the Jim Horton #43, and from that thread, a second discussion came up about when Stan Ploski had his back to back Flemington first turn accidents (one in Oct 1974, and the other in April 1975), that both resulted in a broken arm, each time. Those who have been visiting the site for a while know that we don't usually spend much time focusing on accidents, and especially on those where injuries occurred (we prefer to leave that to those who aren't really fans of the sport and only pay attention to racing when injury or death are in the story....) Anyhow, since the situation involving Stan's accident(s) came up, I wanted to share more about what is one of the sports most unbelievable occurences.... So unbelievable, that if I wasn't there, I probably wouldn't believe it regardless of who told me the story. I was all set to try to do a recap here on the board when most fortunately, I had an opportunity earlier this evening to talk to AARN and Racing Historian Earl Krause, and Earl was able to really tighten up a few of my "loose" memories from almost 50 years ago... but I did have most of it right.... Read on if you want, but I'm still sure after reading it, some of you will say, "I don't believe it"...., but that's ok...It really did happen like this: At the very end of the 1974 season, Stan was behind the wheel of the Jim Horton white, reddish & gold #43 Gremlin, (a car that many will remember Bob Pickell and Sammy Beavers driving earlier in the year.) During Stan's heat race, the throttle stuck on the #43 as Stan roared down the frontstretch past Harry Dee's platform and unable to stop, Stan went into the first turn boards, right in front of the section 3 - 4 open stands. Sadly, Stan sustained a broken arm which I am told required surgery and a lot of rehab over the off season (balance of Oct 1974 through April 1975.) After over 5 months.... it was now opening night of the 1975 season. All in attendence were glad to see Stan back, and wasting no time in showing all that he was back in winning form as he took the win in his modified heat race behind the wheel of his low slung yellow bodied Mustang racer (it said Trenton Mack on it, but pretty sure it was owned by Stan.) Fans were relieved to know that Stan was back! All was back to normal, and the 1975 season was off to a great start.... However, just after taking the win in the #27, the head gasket blew which would sideline the #27 for the rest of the show. With the #27 scratched for the night, It didn't take long for Stan to pick up a quality ride, and in time to make it out for one of the remaining modified heats. Stan got behind the wheel of the the very capable Carberry owned #4T7 yellow Gremlin bodied racer. (Note: This was not the maroon and gold #47 that was driven to victories in 1974 with Mike Grbac and then later by Stan when Mike injured his foot in a work related accident, and that Stan would amazingly walk away from after a fiery crash.) Anyhow... back to opening night 1975... So with the #27 Mustang now scratched for the night, Stan took to the track in the yellow #4T7... I don't remember if it was the first lap or later in the heat, but as impossible as this sounds... the throttle stuck on the #4T7 as Stan roared down the frontstretch past Harry Dee's platform and unable to stop, Stan went into the first turn boards, right in front of the section 3 - 4 open stands. We stood there in total disbelief as we had just witnessed exactly what we had all seen 5 months before... It was identical to what had happened the last time Stan was out in Oct of 1974). Same situation... Same turn... And sadly, same result. Stan re-broke the same arm that he had spent all off season rehabing. In talking with Earl Krause earlier, he was able to confirm what I have scratched out here, and after looking through the AARN archives, Earl was able to find something else that I did not know.... Pat Singer (who at that time was the editor of AARN) had written a column in the paper leading up to what would be Flemington's opening night for 1975, and mentioned that at intermission, driver Stan Ploski would address the crowd, as he wanted to thank the fans who had raised over $2000 to help with the healing from his unfortunate accident from October... If you're still reading at this point... and are still following along, you'll know that Stan wasn't able to do that on opening night (1975). Instead of being able to address the crowd at intermission, Stan was once again across the street, at the Hunterdon County Medical Center with a broken arm. Sometimes we forget what so many driver's have gone through... And I'm sure that having that happen (throttle stuck/broken arm) would be plenty for many drivers to have 2nd thoughts about ever returning to racing... To then have it happen exactly the same way, the very first time back to the track... Well, I don't know what to say other than it was that type of toughness and commitment that made Stan one of the absolute all time best, and those of you from my generation know how lucky we were to have been there to witness it all... The good... The bad... The believable...., and the "almost" unbelievable.
|
