Thank you for the high thoughts of my father as a car owner. You bring up a very good question about our thoughts on racing for points. For a few reasons we never put a emphasis on chasing points. A few reasons that pop right out as I remember it is for one my father and Uncle found themselves very bussy with the excavating company in the spring. After sitting for much of the winter, in the spring when racing was starting A. Ferraiuolo & Sons needed their attention as well. We missed early shows some years. When Gary came on as driver it was compounded by the fact that he had commitments to very good car owners in Florida during the winter. He sometimes stayed down there missing a few up here. On top of all of that we really just never were thinking about being point champs. In hindsight maybe we should have. Thanks again for the interest. AF IV.

Well there was a points championship with Billy Osmun at OCFS and a close second with you in sportsman

I was going to ask about 1978. I was only 8-9 years old. I think that was the first year I sat in the stands with my uncle. But, I do remember Osmun and the 73 winning a lot. We've discussed it before here - my memory said he won like 8 races in a row, but it only FELT like that. lol

In reality, he won 5 in a row, and then 3-4 more over 6-7 weeks. And I don't think he started the season in the 73 because Balough won a race warlier in the year. Not sure what Osmun was driving before that - or even if he started at Middletown.

According to ARRA, Billy O won the championship by 6 points over Buzzie. Was there a decision to "go for it"? Or just a matter of win as many races as we can and let the points fall where they may?

As you said Gary Balough did win a race for us on the second race of the season at OCFS. He then decided to quit the 73 and go back to Florida for other ways to make a living. I'm pretty sure the next two races were rained out so Billy O ran his first race at OCFS on probably race number 5. Once again we didn't watch the points. I think we won eleven races and by the last few of the season we were in contension for the point lead but it was only by chance. I came close in the Sportsman class that year but had motor problems two weeks in a row in warm ups. Those two no point nights pretty much sunk any chance I had.

Thanks! It's interesting (to me anyway) to look back and hear some of the things that were going on behind the scenes. As a kid, I just wanted to be at the track and watch the races. My dad was on a modified crew so I heard some things, but was too young to understand until I got older. But I always knew the 73 was the car to beat - especially at Middletown during that time.

Anthony, here is one of you that I believe was from 1978. Thanks for all of the memories that you and your family have provided us with!

I always like seeing a picture I've never seen. My Sportsman car there which started as the pink #9. What gets me is look how wide the tires are compared to todays. 

AFIV - That car was the former "Lilac" #9, that then became a #73?  If so, different body, right?

I wondered what happened to that "Lilac/Pink car....  Any idea where it went after you had it? (scrapped, sold, parts used for another car?)

Thanks for the direct info AFIV.  As the little guy on Laugh-In used to say, "Very interesting..."

Joe, ask and you shall receive! I believe this is the same car in 1979 at OCFS.

That is the original Mulligan built #9 with a new body after I ended up outside of the track one night a Middletown. I've seen the pictures haha.  Carguypm has the picture of it after we sold it (#15).

Nobody knows where it ended up.

Thanks carsguypm and AFIV for the follow up.  Always wondered about that car....