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Msg ID: 2794931 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:3-Wide
9/28/2023 3:31:10 PM

This week's question:

Name a driver that ran locally as a regular weekly competitor at a northeast asphalt or dirt track that actually got to run (practiced, attempted to qualify or competed) in an Indy 500, or that got to race (any event) at Daytona, anytime after 1970 to the present.

We know back in the 30's - 60's there were quite a few that made their way up from the short track, mostly driving open wheel racers, to get a their chance to run Indy.  We also know that there were a few "locals" that made it to Daytona for the beach events, or eventually to the superspeedway either 1959, or at some point in the 1960's.  The specific question this time around is:

What drivers in the past 53 years (starting in 1970) can you think of that ran regularly at a northeast short track, eventually got a shot at running at Indy, or ran at Daytona since 1970?

I think it is a very, very small # if you don't include the 60's or before.

Let's see what you guys come up with - Remember.... They had to be a northeast short track regular, that got to run at Indy or Daytona after 1970.



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Msg ID: 2794933 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:indy-legs
9/27/2023 4:02:16 PM

Reply to: 2794931

Bentley Warren

Joe Gosek

Wally Dallenbach

Jimmy Horton

Brett Hearne

Maynard Troyer

Geoff Bodine

A lot of N.E. modified drivers ran in the 1975 road course race at Daytona.



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Msg ID: 2794950 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:kjeyres
9/27/2023 4:56:56 PM

Reply to: 2794931

Ryan Preece. Martin Truex. Stewart Friesen.  Glenn Sullivan.  Yes he did!



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Msg ID: 2794953 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:John Springsteel
9/27/2023 5:09:17 PM

Reply to: 2794950

The Bodines and Ron Brouchard at Daytona

Jessen at Indy



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Msg ID: 2794957 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:Pee Wee Fan
9/27/2023 5:24:52 PM

Reply to: 2794953

Gary Balough drove for Pee Wee Griffin and Rahmoc at Daytona (grand national division) in the 80s. I believe Jerry Cook and Richie Evans also competed at Daytona (GN div) in the late 70s, early 80s.  Jimmy Horton ran ARCA (multiple wins) and subbed for Daryll Waltrip at Daytona in the 80s.  Didn't Wally Dallebach compete at Indy in the 70s?  Scott Ely



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Msg ID: 2794958 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:Greg Collins
9/27/2023 5:27:08 PM

Reply to: 2794957

Tighe Scott at Daytona.



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Msg ID: 2794959 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:Greg Collins
9/27/2023 5:30:55 PM

Reply to: 2794958

Sean Corr at Daytona (ARCA).



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Msg ID: 2794960 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:Greg Collins
9/27/2023 5:32:53 PM

Reply to: 2794959

Jack Duffy, Dick Tobias at Daytona (modifieds on road course).



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Msg ID: 2794964 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:dnoldschool34
9/27/2023 6:46:02 PM

Reply to: 2794960

Kenny Brightbill drove the Donlevey car a few times. Taz and Bob Pickell at Daytona. Troyer at Daytona 500 . 



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Msg ID: 2794970 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:3-Wide
9/27/2023 7:29:33 PM

Reply to: 2794964

I could be wrong, but I don't think Kenny Brightbill (mentioned above) drove the #90 at Daytona.  Like I said... I could be wrong.  Taz and bob Pickell drove at Daytona, but both were before 1970.



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Msg ID: 2794973 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:shu
9/27/2023 7:38:06 PM

Reply to: 2794931

Jan Opperman



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Msg ID: 2794977 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:Greg Collins
9/27/2023 8:28:18 PM

Reply to: 2794973

I believe that USAC sprint car champion Larry Dickson was a regular at Reading for a season or two back in the 70s, he raced in the Indy 500 several times and in the 1972 Daytona 500.



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Msg ID: 2794975 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:Engine Guy
9/27/2023 8:06:47 PM

Reply to: 2794931

Chesson at Indy 



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Msg ID: 2794976 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:jsc1410
9/27/2023 8:09:22 PM

Reply to: 2794931

balough also billy harvy and brightbil la few races foe jim makar big wreck at dover how jimmy makar became bigger in nascar



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Msg ID: 2794978 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:10SpeedBicycleRacer
9/27/2023 9:10:14 PM

Reply to: 2794931
PJ Chesson. Ran Indy once or twice.


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Msg ID: 2794979 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:John Springsteel
9/27/2023 9:17:11 PM

Reply to: 2794978

I wrote Jessen, when it's actually Chesson. :)



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Msg ID: 2794986 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:Rick Shive
9/27/2023 9:50:31 PM

Reply to: 2794979

Andy Belmont ran at Daytona, and I believe his brother Kevin did also.



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Msg ID: 2794997 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:B Foder
9/27/2023 11:16:10 PM

Reply to: 2794986
I'm surprised nobody said Mario,remember Indy racing was run by USAC into the early 70s so if USAC had a race at Williams Grove or Reading the Indy drivers would show up for USAC points.


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Msg ID: 2794989 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:B Foder
9/27/2023 10:24:26 PM

Reply to: 2794931
Denny Zimmerman race in the north east with the stock cars threw new England and N.J. Ran with USAC in the 70s ran Indy cars 1971 and 1972 finished 8th in 72 at indy


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Msg ID: 2795012 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:bammer48
9/28/2023 9:56:54 AM

Reply to: 2794931

pretty sure Will Cagle had some starts in Lloyd Ruby cars



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Msg ID: 2795017 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:Opperman4x
9/28/2023 10:47:54 AM

Reply to: 2795012

According to Champcar Stats. Will Cagles starts were all in 1970.  Once in Ruby's backup at Trenton, DNQ, all the rest on dirt.



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Msg ID: 2795027 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:wph258
9/28/2023 11:44:32 AM

Reply to: 2795017

Jerry Cranmer drove Elmo Langleys car a few times



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Msg ID: 2795033 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:D.Wolfe-358
9/28/2023 12:47:50 PM

Reply to: 2795017

Magic Shoes Mike McLaughlin ran the Daytona, when he was a Bush series regular - He drove for Cicci-Welliver and others. 

Mike at Syracuse - http://www.3widespicturevault.com/MEL_STETTLER_PIC&VITALS/P11.08.19_CR8_MCL_SYR_1980_MEL_1.htm

Nascar ride - https://www.tradingpaints.com/showroom/pictures/144266/2.jpg?d=1615850383span>

 

 



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Msg ID: 2795076 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:jman
9/28/2023 9:51:51 PM

Reply to: 2794931

Bill Wimble  Permatex race at daytona



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Msg ID: 2795124 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:B Foder
9/29/2023 1:25:56 PM

Reply to: 2794931
Mr. Excitement Jimmy Spencer,John Andretti raced at Dorney Park and Evergreen Speedway and lets not forget Brett Bodine.


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Msg ID: 2795125 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:D.Wolfe-358
9/29/2023 2:37:58 PM

Reply to: 2795124

Tom Peck out of McConnellsburg Pennsylvania former late model driver at Hagerstown. Ran the Busch Series, and he raced at Daytona.

Nascar Career 171 races run over 9 years



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Msg ID: 2795149 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:B Foder
9/29/2023 10:53:35 PM

Reply to: 2794931

This is one of those topics that make the cob webs in my head slowly remember.  Ed Farree out of Butler Pa.raced dirt late models and went to run Busch Grand Nationals.



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Msg ID: 2795184 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:Dirtmod#9.
9/30/2023 12:53:05 PM

Reply to: 2794931
Greg Sacks, Ron and Ken Bouchard.


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Msg ID: 2795188 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:Bubble Goggles
9/30/2023 2:04:55 PM

Reply to: 2794931

Sacks a Daytona winner -Rand LaJoie 2x BGN champ- Bob Park- Steve Park- . 



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Msg ID: 2795340 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:RuCu
10/2/2023 5:08:58 PM

Reply to: 2795188
Not sure - does Steve Krisiloff meets the criteria / timeline?


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Msg ID: 2795344 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:3-Wide
10/2/2023 6:17:21 PM

Reply to: 2795340

Good question - I don't know if he was a weekly competitor at a "ocal track before heading to the big time.  Maybe someone out there will have some additional info.



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Msg ID: 2795367 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:Rick Shive
10/2/2023 9:26:41 PM

Reply to: 2795344

Steve Krisiloff raced URC sprint cars.



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Msg ID: 2795369 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:Howie Cronce
10/2/2023 9:47:06 PM

Reply to: 2795367

Andy Belmont, Sportsmans, Modifieds, and all the ARCA tracks..Plus the Dash cars before ARCA..



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Msg ID: 2795380 Jack Duffy - Last Coupe at Daytona (NT)    
Author:RuCu
10/3/2023 5:00:28 AM

Reply to: 2795367


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Msg ID: 2795381 Don Stives ? John Goviea ?    
Author:RuCu
10/3/2023 5:04:52 AM

Reply to: 2795367
Both might have before 1970


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Msg ID: 2795403 This Week's Question: The Road to Indy or Daytona    
Author:Greg Collins
10/3/2023 11:56:30 AM

Reply to: 2795367

Steve Krisiloff also raced locally with the Sports Car Owners and Drivers Association (SCODA), finished 4th in a feature with that group at Harmony in 1965.



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Msg ID: 2795491 The Road to Indy or Daytona RECAP    
Author:3-Wide
10/4/2023 6:16:44 PM

Reply to: 2794931

So... We had a lot of names submitted... some that ran weekly before 1970 but not after...  Some that ran at Daytona or Indy before 1970, but not after....  So if we strip it down, the question that was specifically asked was:  What drivers, that ran regularly at a northeast short track, eventually got a shot at running at Indy, or ran at Daytona since 1970?

Here's what I think you guys came up with that met both (ran weekly locally here in the northeast, and got to run at Indy or Daytona after 1970:

Ran Weekly Locally (Northeast), and Ran at Indianapolis since 1970:

Bentley Warren
Joe Gosek
Jan Opperman
Larry Dickson (not sure if he was a local weekly competitor)
Denny Zimmerman
John Andretti
Steve Krisiloff (Ran URC, but not sure if it was after 1970 or not.)

 

Ran Weekly Locally (Northeast) and Ran at Daytona since 1970:

Jimmy Horton
Brett Hearne
Maynard Troyer
Geoff Bodine
Ryan Preece
Martin Truex
Stewart Friesen
Geoff Bodine
Brett Bodine
Ron Bouchard
Gary Balough
Richie Evans
Jerry Cook
Tighe Scott
Sean Corr
Jack Duffy
Dick Tobias
Andy Belmont
Mike McLaughlin
Jimmy Spencer
Ed Farree
Greg Sachs
Ken Bouchard
Steve Park
Randy Lajoie
Tyler Dipple

 

Note:  There were some other names submitted that I didn't include in the list above.  Some that I am pretty sure ran Nascar but not Daytona... Some that ran Daytona or Indy but it was before 1970....  Some that did run Indy or Daytona, but I don't think could be considered "regular weekly competitors here locally in the northeast.  I may be wrong about a couple of them, but the list above is what I was pretty confident in, from those that were submitted.

Recap:  I'm sure there are others that we are forgetting/don't know about who meet the criteria of having been a regular weekly competitor at a northeast asphalt or dirttrack, AND got to run at Indianapolis or Daytona since 1970, but as mentioned, when you think of the 100's  (make that 1000's) of drivers who could be considered as being a regular weekly competitor here in the the northeast, who actually got to run at Indy or at Daytona since 1970, it's really a very low amount.

Thank you to those who took the time to respond, and thank you also to those who at least gave it some thought over the past few days, even if you didn't respond, which usually is about 95% of the folks who visit here daily! Smile



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Msg ID: 2795494 I have one more....    
Author:John Mc
10/4/2023 7:22:20 PM

Reply to: 2795491
My grandson AJ Genao races all 3 of his #301 quarter midgets weekly here in the northeast. He raced at BC39 at Indy and more importantly he drove a lap in his race car around IMS. Not making light of the whole subject, but I couldn't have been prouder that day to see a 301 drive past me and proceed down the front straightaway of the most famous racetrack in the world.


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