Club Stories

A CLUB STORY

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Many years ago, in the glory days of Cale Yarborogh and Parnelli Jones, club member Dick Chapman campaigned a 1937 Ford Stock Car at tracks throughout New England. Over twenty years ago, Dick sold the car and quit racing.

In 2006, Chris Sedlmayr purchased an old flathead Ford racer that had been buried in a chicken barn in upstate New York. After a thorough and rather disgusting cleaning, Chris noticed names painted on the roof, Ralph McEwan Sr. Crew Chief and Driver Dick Chapman. Eventually he tracked down original owner Richard Chapman, and a new friendship was born. The rest is club history.

After their initial meeting, they formed an enthusiastic, successful collaboration to restore the car to it's original race form. Now, over three years later, it passes technical inspection, and has been raced throughout New England in nostalgic races. Dick is again behind the wheel, this time as the oldest licensed NASCAR driver in the country, and Chris is now an active new member of Crankers Antique Car Club.

Old #12 has been restored to her original race specs. It features the original refurbished flathead V-8, manual "crash box" transmission, and an unusual quick change rear end, a Highland built back in the day by Andy Anderson of Springfield, MA. Most nostalgic race cars are recreations. The 12 car is one of only a hand full left of authentic flathead racers in existence that still compete, complete with her original paint, dents, and scratches. She is a true piece of American history. Chris and Dick have already raced at Loudon, NH and Thompson, Ct last season. Plans are underway for several nostalgic races this season, including Darlington.

Recently on display at The Speedway Expo held at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, MA, the new and former owners were on hand, and Dick was signing autographs and answering questions from the curious. Take a few moments to enjoy some photos from that historic event.

THE SPEEDWAY EXPOSITION

WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA