Photo of the Day

Now that we are approaching 4000 PoDs, each Monday
we will be posting one of our favorite ones from the past.

Writing the book CAGES ARE FOR MONKEYS: Unleashed with Kevin Olson, Racing Zaniest Hall of Famer with Kevin Olson was some kind of experience. Kevin, who really is unleashed, prides himself on his zaniness, but when he wants to get something done, he sure is determined. His purpose in life was to become a great Midget driver - and, several years back when a group on the Internet collaborated to list the 50 greatest Midget drivers in the world, Kevin's was the very first name put up. He had always been a huge Muhammad Ali fan, so one day he hopped into his Ranchero, drove over to Ali's estate in Louisville, and pushed the buzzer at the gate. Amazingly, he was able to talk his way in, and, somewhat less amazingly, the two were great friends by the end of the day. Progress on our book stopped for Kevin's attendance at Ali's funeral in June of 2016. (KO Collection Photo)

What a moment, likely the last time Ernie Gahan and Gene Bergin met. The two buddies, both now long since passed, were unusually popular and successful, having run a million miles together up and down the East Coast. Every lap was still alive in Gene’s eyes. (R.A. Silvia Collection)

The way it was. "The Sam Nunis Fairgrounds office was located outside turn one at Trenton Speedway. Following the races, drivers and mechanics would gather at the Pay Window to receive cash prize money. Show money was typically paid before the main event. A.J. Foyt, without a shoe, is seen sitting by A.J. Watson." Quote and photo from THE MILLER GRILL: Memories & Meals with the King of the Speedways and the King of the Blues, by Bart Stevens. (Bart Stevens Collection)

Pleasantville, Iowa’s Earl Wagner went on a winning rampage all over the Midwest between 1961 and 1964, wheeling both Supers and Sprint Cars. He snatched the Knoxville Raceway title in '61 aboard this car fielded by Slim Gutknecht. He must have had good ear plugs and elbow padding because he kept right on going until 1975, when he became Chief Steward at Knoxville and soon Mayor of Pleasantville. Photo from THE HISTORY OF KNOWVILLE RACEWAY, Vol. One, by Bob Wilson. (Ed Cole Photo)

Troy Wagaman #27 and Doug Haymaker on the hammer last summer. Sprint Cars are looking pretty natty these days, especially contrasted with Jan Opperman's Bogar Special. From Rife Racing Collectible's EASTERN SPRINT 2026 CALENDAR
(WRT Speedwerx Photo)

"Tony Kanaan and Helio Castroneves began competing against each other as teenagers in Brazil. Their careers ran in parallel for more than thirty years." Quote and Photo from CLASS OF ’99: Triumph and Tragedy in the 1999 CART Indy Car Series, by John Oreovicz (Chris Owens Photo)

"Midwestern racing legend Dick Trickle made an unexpected visit to Chicago's Raceway Park on May 19, 1974. Winner of over 1,000 feature races during his short track career, Trickle finished third behind Bud Koehler and Mark Hernandez, better known as "Speedy Gonzales." Trickle was crowned Rookie of the Year in NASCAR's Winston Cup competition." (Quote and Photo from BLUE ISLAND RACEWAY PARK, by Stan Kalwasinski)

Ryan Newman’s mentor, Don Miller, asked Buddy Baker to keep an eye on rookie Ryan at a test at Gateway Raceway.

Baker: “I was pretty sharp with him. When he came in [from the track], I just walked over and said ‘Boy, are you giving us 100 percent?’

“He said, ‘Well no.’

“I asked him why, and he said ‘I didn’t want to mess up.’

“I said, My grandmother wouldn’t mess up the way you’re running.”

With that he jerked that thing into low gear, went back out, and drove that thing down to where you see Elvis. I told the guys, “My God. I might have killed him. But if he makes that corner, I think we’ve got a driver.”

The next lap was faster than the track record. Then did I call Don and said, ‘This guy’s the real deal. Give him a little bit of time, don’t push him too quick, and you’ll have a franchise driver.”

From MILLER’S TIME: A Lifetime at Speed, by Don Miller with Jim Donnelly. (Steven Rose Photo)

Mike Feltenberger sends in this image of Penske Racing's 1975 Daytona 500 entry, an American Motors Matador driven by Bobby Allison. Its outcome was pleasing, as Allison, starting third, soldiered home to runner-up laurels, earning $26,700. Just in case you wondered, Mike points out that, curiously, there were no single digit cars in the starting field.

That's open-wheel's master man, Bobby Santos III, after sweeping the 2020 Little 500. He sure likes to go fast. A few years earlier, he set a sizzling new all-time, closed-course, Midget lap record of 147 mph on Iowa Speedway. Afterwards we talked:
“How did it feel, Bobby?”
“I thought I had a good lap.”
“Oh, come on! It was incredibly fast! How did it feel?’
“It did get a little breezy.”
(New England Racing Museum Collection)

John DaDalt sends us this cool photo and caption: "Logan Calderwood smashing the cushion at Lincoln Park Speedway on July 25 during Indiana Sprint Week." (John DaDalt Photo)