On Sunday afternoon, June 6, 1971, Craig McCaughey scored the first modified feature win of his career at Harmony Speedway.  He was driving the Matt McMann #4.  He would also win at Harmony on August 21 and September 25 of that year.

3Wides own 'John Mc' is Craig's son. Any special memories of that day, John?

Yeah Greg, thx for reminding me how old I am, lol! Anyway, he was really happy about the win but on the ride home I remember him feeling a tinge of disappointment. If I remember correctly Lebanon Valley was running a big race that evening and Cagle, Bottcher and Del George all left early to attend it so they weren't in the feature. Still, a win is a win and you race who's there, right? There were still plenty of real good racers there that day.

 Anyway, he and Matt built a new car a few weeks later and it was really fast, the other 2 wins were no gimmes. Thx for the great memories Greg!

I spent more time looking at that 4 than i did looking at thoes Bowman Gray cars!!

John, your memory is correct that those other drivers had to leave for Lebanon Valley before Harmony was able to run the modified feature. Earlier that afternoon your Dad also won the second heat, followed by Ed Farley, Billy Deskovick, Walt Emery and Will Cagle. In the 30-lap feature he was followed by Walt Emery, Roy Kincaid, Lee Hendrickson, Lee Taylor and Larry Taylor.

On August 21 he was followed across the finish line by Budd Olsen, Will Cagle, Bobby Bottcher, Lee Taylor and Larry Taylor.

On September 25 he was followed across the finish line by Roy Kincaid, Leon Manchester, Bob Pickell, Lee Taylor and Tighe Scott.

Love that picture!

JUST THINK WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN IF JT BAKER WOULD NOT HAVE USED THE TRACK OR LAND. IT WOULD HAVE TOOK THE PLACE OF FLEMINGTON THE TRACK WAS MODELED AFTER ALCYON ANOTHER FAMOUS TRACK IN THE 50S 

John question for you. I know most of your father's career, he used the number 301 for his cars. Does that number have any special meaning behind it. Another words how did he come to picking that number for his cars 

Ed, that picture provided by John is a great image of your father waving the checkered flag on Craig's win.

Thanks John, I never new that. Thank you also Greg, that's one of the few pictures my family does have. Thanks Guys !!

Just looking at cars that ran local (Flemington/East Windsor), there was a whole cluster of cars that ran #"s in the low 300's:

• #300 Jackie McLaughlin & Bobby Pickell
• #301 Craig McCaughey & Ed Farley
• #302 ?
• #303 Freddy Dmuchowski
• #304 (I have a picture of a Gremlin at Flemington, but not sure of driver...)
• #305 Fred Degroot (Also drove a black #301.)
• #306 (?)
• #307 Charlie and Debbie Gunther
• #308 Jimmy Palko

I attended Harmony that day with my Mom and Dad.  It was announced that the 3 drivers, Bottcher, Cagle, and George, were being chauffured to a local airport and were to be flown to upstate NY.  As the plane passed over the stands and waved to the crowd by tipping its wings, the announcer (who was either Ernie Saxton or Bob Everland) stated that they were now on their way to Lebanon Valley to race there and represent the Tri-State Owners and Drivers Association.

The stands at Harmony were massive, at least 35 maybe 40 rows.  The top 20 rows were the best seats, and that area was usually packed.  Very few people sat in the lower rows.

Speaking of Tri-State, I also remember the one Saturday night that Fred Dmuchowski and Walt Emery ran at Flemington.  Don't remember if it was 1971 or early 72.  Kuhl made them pit together way in the back of the pits.  Bill Singer announced that they were representing their organization as "test cases"?  Interseting times.

Ernie Saxton was the announcer that day. The drivers used the backyard airstrip of Ray Markle, a local private pilot, to fly up to Lebanon Valley. 

hey john mc --great input by you on your dad's racing history !! thank you !!

 was that sedan one of  matty's purple  4's ??--

don't see "perth amboy spring works " or "larson ford on the car--

as i've said before ; matty & ann were really cool people !!

i can imagine , though, matty could be a little "crusty" to drive for in his day !!

thanks  , again !!!