John Rostek
Colorado Motorsports Hall of Fame
10/15/2021
Introduction to the audience --
John Rostek drove his way to a remarkable stock car racing career, beginning on the short tracks of northern Colorado and before moving on to national level events sanctioned by USAC and NASCAR.
Born and raised in Fort Collins, John returned to his home town after military service in 1947, and began looking for old cars to rebuild and race. In 1949, he and Lou Wentzel were part of creating the Interstate Racing Association, which sanctioned Stock Car races at tracks in Cheyenne, Greeley, Longmont, and eventually, Fort Collins. John began competing in races nearly every night of the week through this association, and when Speedway Park opened in Fort Collins in May of 1950, he had a home track. The races in these early days of Colorado racing often saw entry lists of well over 50 cars, and John thrived in events were the racing was close and the driving was often rough. He drove his way to five championships with the Interstate Racing Association, and began traveling to other tracks in Denver and Colorado Springs. At each track, his bold driving style and winning ways made him a fan favorite. He won championships at Pike Peak Speedway, and not only fit six USAC races into his busy schedule in 1958, but drove a race-prepared Mercury in the Pike Peak Hill Climb as well. He competed in two division at the Hill Climb the next year, finishing fourth in the Stock Car division and winning the sports car division in a 1957 Mercedes Gull-wing Coupe.
The 1960’s saw John competing in a steady schedule of USAC and NASCAR Grand National races across the country. He entered the 1960 Daytona 500 with a car sponsored by Ghent Motor Company of Fort Collins, and his team was the first to use short-wave radios for communication between driver and crew. While a crash in a preliminary event prevented him from racing in the 500, he won his first NASCAR race two months later at the Phoenix Fairgrounds, taking the lead from Parnelli Jones on the 34th lap and winning the race in a convincing manner—he lapped everyone but the 2nd and 3rd place cars. He finished second in the USAC Late Model National standings for the 1961 season, and was a strong contender in many races over the next few years against the best drivers in the country in the premiere divisions of stock car racing.
Ready to Race!
Speedway Park - John in #77 managed to win the Main Event! |
The season at Speedway Park ended with John taking top honors in all the Class A events. And it was on to Pueblo and Colorado Springs where they continued racing until late fall. However, it was not accident free.
John Rostek, of Fort Collins, and champion driver of the northern circuit, escaped injury when his car flipped end-over-end three times in the final" - The Denver Post.
The final race at Pikes Peak Speedway brought 30 Englewood Speedway drivers to compete in the biggest race of the season, a 100 lap main event.
The drivers had both an advantage and a disadvantage. Under the Englewood Speedway rules, the engines could be altered to any degree as long as the alterations were not visible from the outside. But, the drivers were used to running on a 1/3 mile dirt track while the Pikes Peak Speedway was a 1/4 mile asphalt track.
Before a capacity audience John came through in #77 for the black and white flag in three events including breaking the lap record of 17:71 seconds.
Class A Trophy Dash |
The 1952 season opened on May 25th at Speedway Park with a field of 70 cars. It was Spring in Colorado and many fans showed up...so did the rain.
June 8 - The races were postponed for the evening and rescheduled for June 8. John still driving #77 won two events on that Sunday night, the Trophy Dash and Class A Special. Fast time was held that week by Don Morris at 17.13 seconds. John was clocked at 17:29, the 4th fastest time.
"John and J. Trigone each won two events in which was probably the closest and best race of the season. Rostek piloted car No. 77 to victory in the trophy dash and the Class A special." - Fort Collins Coloradoan
June 20 - Colorado's best drivers were added to the field of drivers at Speedway Park. John and the other Fort Collins drivers held them off not allowing a single win in any event.
June 22 - Don Morris set the track record that night with a lap record of 16.97. "John won the 25-lap main event. He drove especially well, winning easily, and lapped all but three cars." - Fort Collins Colorado.
June 27 - John traveled to Longmont Speedway. He finished the night with top honors after his #77 took three first places, the Class A Trophy dash, the Fast A and the 25-lap Main Event.
June 28 - The Longmont drivers were back at Speedway Park. But, once again John took first place in the trophy dash and main event.
July 13 - John took top honors this night by battling with several local drivers for the Main event crown.
July 19 - "Stock car fans were treated to an evening of excitement, filled with thrills, spills and several anxious moments. More than 50 cars were entered in the evenings races including top drivers from Denver's Lakeside trace. A dispute over the rules involving a Denver driver during the main event was ended with nothing more than a little shoving on the part of the drivers, although the flagman almost was made an innocent victim in the fracas." - Fort Collins Coloradoan.
John won the Fast A and the Main Event.
Speedway Park ... #77 mixing it up with the Denver drivers |
(36.41) and won both the main event and the sixth race." - Fort Collins, Coloradoan
September 21 - Championship drivers from northern Colorado, Wyoming and cars from Pueblo Speedway showed up and competed in the first afternoon races held at Speedway Park that year. John has the 4th fastest time and placed 4th in the Main event.
September 24 - Rostek, after wrecking his #77 car earlier, borrowed a car from a friend and drove it across the finish line for first place in the semi-finals." - Fort Collins, Coloradoan
August 8 - Greeley and Denver drivers came to Speedway Park. "A total of 53 cars, headed by John Rostek were entered for that nights races. Injuries were miraculously avoided in the ninth race of the evening when a wheel flew off of a Fort Collins car and bounced into the stands. It grazed a spectator and his two-year old daughter. No one was seriously hurt." - Fort Collins Coloradoan
August 31 - John won two events. "One of the finest jobs of driving was done by John Rostek in the 25-lap main event. He drove car 77 over the finish line first on a wet track. He also won the 4 event." - Fort Collins, Coloradoan
The Powder Puff Derby was introduced in 1953. Admission to Speedway Park was $1.20 for adults and .65 cents for kids. As the competition heated up, racing fans were treated to many nights of thrills and spills throughout the year. John continued to battle with local drivers. "John Rostek continues to monopolize the Class A events at Speedway Park, winning all the events except for two... the two he didn't enter" - Fort Collins Coloradoan (a little sports writer humor).
May 8 - The first race of the season at the Greeley speedway. It snowed so the drivers packed up and headed to Longmont Speedway. After taking three first places at the Longmont Speedway John headed back to Fort Collins. He placed first in the class A trophy dash, the Fast A event and the 25 lap Main event.
The rivalry between Longmont Speedway and Speedway Park drivers was festering. On May 10th the Longmont racers came to the first race at Speedway Park trying to recover some pride and prestige. John again took a triple victory, winning the trophy dash, Class A heat and after starting 10th in the main event he shortly made his way to the head of the group, winning the main and sending the Longmont drivers back home without a single victory.
May 17 - Fort Collins and Greeley speedsters motored off with all the first places Sunday at the running of the stock car races at Speedway Park. Twenty-nine cars competed from Greeley. John was second in Main event.
May 18 - "Don Morris' winning streak had snapped and John took over again winning his first home main event of the season in front of a good sized crowd. Rostek got away to a head start on the field in the main, after opening in 10th position. The feature 25-lap race had to be started twice." - Fort Collins Coloradoan.
John also won the Class A 6th event.
May 24 - John continued to battle it out with Don Morris. Morris won the main event.
June 6 - A newcomer to Lakeside Speedway, John placed 2nd in the Fast A event.
June 7 - Drivers from Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, Longmont and Cheyenne gathered at Speedway Park. He took double honors when he captured the 25-lap Main event, coming in ahead of a Greeley driver and also won the 6th event.
June 14 - "John swept the field at the Intermountain Speedway. He set a new track record in his 1934 Ford, chalking up 18.63 seconds for the one-fifth mile track. Rostek again took the trophy dash and the main event." Fort Collins, Coloradoan
June 21 - Placed 3rd in Main event at the Greeley Speedway.
June 28 - After racing in Greeley the local boys were back at Speedway Park. John was seeking to repeat his win of the main event of two weeks ago. He had 4th fastest time and placed 4th in the Trophy Dash.
July 5 - Morris, Nelson and Rostek, once again battling it out. John placed 3rd in the time trials, Trophy dash and Main event.
July 26 - Rain halted the main event at Speedway Park. John had placed 2nd in the time trials and then the rain delayed the main event. When the main finally ran John placed 2nd.
August 2 - The winners of the Class A race wasn't decided. John, another Fort Collins Driver and a Greeley driver finished one-two-three in the trophy dash, but an official ruled that all three were off the track as the race ended and therefore couldn't be award any prizes. The outcome of the race remained undetermined. John went on the place 3rd in the main event.
August 3 - John placed 3rd in the time trials, 3rd in the trophy dash, 3rd in event 6 and 2nd in the Main event.
August 9 - John came through with three wins to highlight the nights racing at Speedway Park. He had fast time, he narrowly squeaked out another Fort Collins driver for the first place in the 7th event and won the main event.
August 17 - John was 3rd in the time trials but captured first place in the Class A trophy dash and lst in event 6.
August 28 - "John Rostek, veteran Fort Collins speedster, swept to a new track record in the Sunday time trials at Speedway Park. His time was 16.24 seconds for the one-lap distance tumbling the old record of 16.25, set just the week before" - Fort Collins Coloradoan
He also captured lst in the Class A trophy dash, his car was again protested and examined by the officials. They found it to be stock and legal.
August 30 - John took 2nd place in the main event at Speedway Park.
September 1 - "The program for the evening at Speedway Park included 25 men and a new "Powder Puff Derby" which included 6 women. John's first triumph came when he nosed out a Loveland driver in one of summer's closest and speediest trophy dashes. Rostek also won the Class A fourth race" - Fort Collins Coloradoan.
Note from Daughter..Shirley Rostek "Mom" drove John's car in the Powder Puff Derby. One day she was practicing with Dad and getting driving advice from him. He was sitting beside her on a make shift seat (bucket) when she suddenly jerked the wheel and he flew off the bucket blooding his nose on the dashboard. He wanted her to continue but that was the end of that!
"John found a new car to his liking and sped off with three victories. The seasoned Fort Collins driver who for years had piloted Car No. 77, tried No. 116 Sunday night and won the night's time trials, the Class A trophy dash and the fourth event." - Fort Collins Coloradoan
September 2 - John raced at the Laramie Speedway in Laramie, Wyoming.
The first race at the new track was held on Labor Day and drew a good crowd even though thirteen of the out-of-town racers didn't show up. One of the biggest problems with the race was the dusty surface of the track. It was discouraging to spectators and created discomfort for the drivers.
The dirt and dust didn't bother John...he won the main event with no trouble.
September 13 - "Fort Collins driver, John Rostek won the slide and spin-out marked main event. Rostek came in ahead of three other Fort Collins contestants in the 25-lap main event."
September 17 - "Johnny Rostek proved Sunday night at Speedway Park that it isn't the car that makes the champion. He followed last weeks victory with four victories in this old car, No. 77. Fort Collins Coloradoan
Rostek, who dominated the races so far this year, won the night's time trials, the Class A trophy dash, the sixth event event and the combined semi-final and main event. The feature race was one of the most exciting seen at the speedway this season. Rostek started last and fought his way to the lead to edge out several Fort Collins Drivers." - Fort Collins Coloradoan.
September 20 - John won two events.. He picked up his honors driving #84. John's mechanic, Chuck Drager owned the car. He won the fast time with 16:51, Class A trophy dash and came in second in the Main Event.
The traveling trophy is awarded to the driver who wins the most Main Events during the season. This year was John's third time to receive it.. In the years to follow he would receive it another two times. He also received the High Point Driver Trophy from the Inter-Mountain Speedway Association many times.
The stock cars rolled that evening with 50 cars entered. The events had shifted from afternoon to evening and the Association rules had been changed. The changes included motor modification rules and one rule that could keep Rostek off the track. Drivers could not own the car that they were driving. Oliver Ray, John's mechanic, following the new rules, modified John's car for more speed and purchased the car for a few dollars avoiding any anticipated future disqualifications.
A crowd of 1617 fans watched John begin his season with main event, trophy dash wins and fast track time. John was the only driver to crack his own 14.55 seconds time trial. The main event found John with fast time and starting in the last position. By the ninth lap he was battling with two other drivers and the chase was on. In the 19th lap he finally caught the first car. From then until the finish the two men raced side by side with John on the outside and the other car on the inside. His competition had "the chute" but John would make up the difference in the corners. On the final lap, John went into the last turn about a wheel length behind. With a sudden burst of speed he finished a foot ahead of the other car to win the event.
John continued to race stockers the rest of the season. Anxious to make his mark in late model big cars, he criss-crossed the county and squeezed in six USAC races.
USAC RACES
- February 23 - Pamona, USAC
- April 6, Clovis Speedway, USAC, Finished 12
- July 4, Pikes Peak, USAC, Stock Car, Finished 5, Purse $385.00
- August 17, Milwaukee Mile, USAC, Finished 11, Purse $459.00
- August 21, Milwaukee Mile, USAC, Finished 5, Purse $606.00
- October 19, Meadowdale Inter. Raceway, USAC/ARCA, Finished 8
The race was held at the Pamona Fairgrounds. J.C. Agajinian guaranteed a $5000 purse. Johnny Mantz won the feature event. John spun out in the third turn.
April 6 - Clovis Speedway - USAC Stock Car Race
John finished 12th.
Pikes Peak Hill Climb "Race to the Clouds" (July 3&4)
John, in a new #19 finished 5th, only .3 seconds behind the winner. It was also John's first write up in Hot Rod Magazine. The picture below on the left is from the 1958 September Special Edition of Hot Rod Magazine. Picture on the right is race day. The drivers are lined up in the pit area for inspection. John is the second car on the outside (left lane) standing behind Nick Sanborn (in the dark jacket front row.)
- May 24 - Williams Grove Speedway, USAC/ARCA, Accident
- June 14 - Salem Speedway, USAC/ARCA, Started 5th finished 20
- July 4 - Pikes Peak Hill Climb, USAC Stock Car Division, Finished 4, Purse $563.00
- July 5 - Pikes Peak Hill Climb, USAC Sports Car, Finished 1st, Purse $1,100.00
- July 19 - Milwaukee Mile, USAC/ARCA, Finished 9
- August 23 - Milwaukee Mile, USAC/ARCA, Finished 17, Purse $173.00
- August 29 - Williams Grove Speedway, USAC/ARCA, Finished 7
- August 30 - Dayton Speedway, ARCA, Finished 7
- November 15 - Ascot Park, USAC/ARCA, Finished 6
- November 22 - Clovis Speedway, USAC/ARCA, Results not recorded
Williams Grove Speedway (May 24)
In 1959 Williams Grove Speedway is a half-mile semi-banked oval dirt track known as "The Grove" and the "Ascot of the East." The grove was part of the rich history of motor sports throughout the nation and the world since the gares first opened in 1939.
This 100 miles race was a USAC sponsored championship and had a field of 24 cars. John placed third when he was unable to avoid Walley Dallenbach's spinning car and was forced out of the race when the left side of the car was entirely caved in.
Even though he didn't finish the race it brought him up to 9th position in the 1959 National Stock Car Championship Point Standing with 390 points.
Pikes Peak Hill Climb (July 4-5)
John, the favorite in both stock car and sports car classes ran his 1959 Ghent Motor Company sponsored Mercury, with a 430-inch Lincoln engine under the hood, up the hill and broke previous record by Louis Unser.
On race day John was the first up the hill (he had the fastest time). He battled low visability, muddy roads, and high winds. He placed 4th in the final.
John had also entered the "Climb to the Clouds" in the Sports car division running his 1957 300SL Gull Wing Mercedes Coupe.
John in the Sports car Division entering the race course W's -- family and friends are the little people sitting on the mountain just above the race course.
Mom was leaning again the post
John was written up in the 1959 Special Edition of Hot Rod Magazine for his accomplishments at the Peak that year.
Milwaukee Mile July 19
John started the race on the inside, second row in a 1958 Mercury. He finished 9th.
1960
- Daytona International Speedway, (Feb. 13) NASCAR Grand National, finished 17 (accident)
- Daytona International Speedway, (Feb. 14) NASCAR Grand National, entered but did not start
- Arizona State Fairgrounds, (Apr. 3) NASCAR Grand National, 1st place 3,735 purse
- Daytona International Speedway, (Feb. 12) NASCAR Grand National, finished 39 (accident.)
- 3) NASCAR Grand National/Pacific Coast, Finished in 1958 Ford, $800 purse
- Martinsville Speedway, (Apr. 10) NASCAR Grand National, Finished 25, 1958 Ford, hub problem purce $80
- Langhorne Speedway (May 15), ARCA Stock Car, Finished 3
- Marchbanks Stadium aka Hanford Motor Speedway, (June 12), NASCAR Grand National/Pacific Coast, Finished 3, 1960 Ford, $750 purse
- Empire State 200 Montgomery Air Base (July 17) NASCAR Grand National, Had the pole Finished 7, 1960 Ford $425 purse
- Milwaukee Mile (July 24) USAC/ARCA Stock Car, Finished 11, 1960 Ford, $509 purse
- Terre Haute Action Track (Aug. 14) USAC Stock Car, Finished 5
- Milwaukee Mile, (Aug. 21) USAC, Finished 8, $484 purse
- Milwaukee Mile, (Aug. 25) USAC, Finished 24, $64 purse
- DeQuoin State Fairgrounds (Sep. 3) USAC, Finished 4
- Milwaukee Mile (Sept. 25), USAC, Finished 18, grease seal, $281 purse
- Dayton Speedway (Oct 2), USAC
- Salem Speedway (Oct. 9), USAC
Early in 1960 John was gearing up to race at Daytona, the 3rd of 44 Grand National Races held in 1960. John, now piloting his own plane, left for Charlotte, North Carolina on January 28 to prepare for the 500-mile race to be held on Valentine's Day. His car would be sponsored by Ghent Motor Company of Fort Collins and would be the first car to use a short wave radio in the car to communicate with the pit crew while in the race.
He purchased a new 1960 Ford Starliner Race Car from Holman and Moody for $5396.93. John, Art Lamey, a former chief engine performance engineer for Ford Motor Company, and Don Buchanan worked for two weeks at the Holman and Moody garage in Charlotte, NC helping to prepare the two engines to be used in the race.
Engine 1 was designed to give 6,000 rpm and 486 hp and would be the engine used in the actual race car. Engine 2 was a 500 hp engine and would be used for qualifying heats only. The engine that came with the car and would be used for spare parts.
Champion Spark Plugs asked John to allow their representative Dick Jones, of their racing division, to ride in the passenger seat (there was no passenger seat so the crew quickly made one) and he took readings during a practice run.
John was involved in an accident and was unable to finished the race. He placed 39th in the field of 99 cars.
On February 14 he was unable to start the race.
While at Daytona John met and became very good friends with Lou Siplot, Sr. Lou was associated, at the time with Ford Motor Company Racing Division and a rep for Andy Granatelli's STP. Lou was also working weekends for Holman and Moody of Charlotte, NC. It was the policy of Holman and Moody to send a mechanic with their engines and they sent Lou to Daytona to mechanic on John's car. This was beginning of a long friendship. Lou soon became the Crew Chief and Head Mechanic for John and worked and traveled with him on weekends. John soon became Godfather to Lou Sipolt Jr.
John at 34 years old outlasted 12 other finishers on a rough and dusty track to win the first ever 100-Mile Grand National late model stock car event in 1:23:27. He took the lead from Parnelli Jones on the 34th lap then hid from the rest of the field for the rest of the race. After assuming the lead he lapped every car but the second and third runners by the 61st lap.
Several cars made a valiant effort to catch the high-flying driver, but to no avail. It was Rostek's day and his car was purring like a kitten. The Phoenix Gazette.
John collect $1000 purse and a 4 foot Copper Cup trophy presented by television star Peter Breck.
From Jayski's Review -- September 7, 2015
Only the fifth win ever for car #19: Carl Edwards win at Darlington on September 6, 2015 was the 2nd win for Edwards in the car #19. Edwards won the Coca-Cola 600 in May at Charlotte for the #19's 4th overall win. The #19 had only three other race wins in the history of the Sprint Cup Series (1949). In 1960 John Rostek won at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix. And twice with Jeremy Mayfied in 2004 at Richmond and 2005 in Michigan. For more stats and notes about car number wins, see Jayki.com's Wins by Car Number page. (9-7-2015. Or click on the link below.
http://www.jayski.com/cupnews.htm#20150907b
Photo from the Phoenix Gazette
Martinsville Speedway, built in 1947 is a paperclip shaped short track which was originally a dirt track for stockers only. The track was paved in 1960.
Langhorne Speedway, May 15, ARCA Stock Car Race
Don Buchanan at 18 years old spent his summer hauling #19 from one coast to the other. He tells me he enjoyed every minute. |
Pikes Peak Hill Climb, July 3-5
After his win in the Sports Car Division the year before, he again entered the 1960 race. Politics and biased officials influenced by the most popular and well known race family who had dominated the Hill Climb for many years entered into the picture. They didn't want another challenge or more records broke from John Rostek.That summer the events on the Hill were well documented and followed closely by the local news media and John's many loyal fans from the Colorado Spring community. He received much support from the fans and news media over this issue.
This was the issue: Two months before filing his entry for the race, John asked USAC officials to examine his car and determine if it qualified under the new rules (specifically put into place to try and keep him off the hill). In addition, he was fined $400 by USAC for racing at Daytona Beach (a NASCAR race). He agreed to pay the fine with one provision, that he would be allowed to run in the Hill Climb. That was agreed upon by the Officials and he paid the fine.
However, after each day of practice running the officials decided to examine his car. After the second day of qualifying, and after he broke the qualifying record again, they claimed the anti-sway bar on the front of the car was not stock equipment even though every car entered had the same bar and he had passed inspection that morning before running. John's head mechanic Oliver Ray, removed the sway bar without issue.
They continued examinations each day on his car. The next day they targeted the gear ratio. Also, every stock car entered in the race had the same gear ratio. "They had changed the gear ratio as part of the new rulings just to keep John off the Hill and you can quote me" as said by Oliver Ray and published in the Colorado Springs Gazette.
Even though the news media continued to report on these examinations, the officials were determined. Finally on the third day of examinations John told them, in not so many words, to take a hike. Family and friends were at the Silver Saddle Motel when he and his crew showed up. They packed us up and we were off to New York for the Empire "200".
A reporter for the Gazette reported that a head USAC Official was quoted as saying "he would do everything he could to keep Rostek out of USAC".
*Note from daughter--In the years to follow, John went on to race in 39 USAC sponsored races, received the "Most Improved Driver in 1963" Award from USAC Stock Car Division and was a sanctioned USAC Promotor for 2 more races held in Colorado and entered the USAC sanctioned Pikes Peak Hill Climb in 1961 and 1962.
Empire State "200" held at Montgomery Air Force Base (July 17)
John, not one to look back or take threats seriously continued to race. He sent Don Buchanan and #19 to New York for the Empire 200. He was the fastest qualifier and had the pole position. He led the first lap and made the front page of the newspaper only to have trouble and complete only 94 laps, placing him 7th in the final race. His purse was $425.00.
The track first opened in 1952. The 1/2 mile dirt oval was initially used for horse racing. The first race of the season would always be held two weeks after the Indy 500 allowing the drivers to stay in the area, switch to their stock cars and participate in the "Tony Holman Classic."
The Indy drivers always drew a big crowd and droves of people would turn out for the only 2$ ticket price.
"Mountain Man Turns Wall Climber" |
Norm Nelson driving a 1960 Ford won the 100 mile USAC championship event. He was followed by Tony Bettenhausen, Rodger Ward and John. John's 4th place purse was $688.00.
Milwaukee Mile (Sep. 25) USAC Stock Car Race
John placed 18 because of a problem with a grease seal. Took home $281.
Salem Speedway, (Oct. 9) USAC/ARCA Stock Car
In 1961 the only modification that USAC would allow in the modified stock car division was a high performance cam and in-suspension.
USAC and NASCAR
- Arizona State Fair, (Feb. 5) USAC Stock Car, Finished 2nd
- Ascot Park Speedway, (Feb, 19) USAC Stock Car, Finished 4
- Concord Speedway, (April 2) USAC Stock Car, Finished 4, Purse $150
- Pikes Peak, (July 4) USAC Stock Car, Did not finish
- Milwaukee Mile, (July 16) USAC Stock Car, Placed 28, Did not finish
- Milwaukee Mile, (Aug. 13) USAC Stock Car, Started 13, Placed 38, Blew head gasket, Purse $50
- Milwaukee Mile, (Aug. 17) USAC Stock Car, Started 12, Finished 30, Connecting Rod, Purse $54
- Milwaukee Mile, (Sep. 17) USAC Stock Car, Started 12, Finished 3, Purse $2,152
- Trenton International Speedway (Oct. 22), USAC National Championship, Finished 2
1961 Ford sponsored by Elmwood Ford of Chicago The picture was taken in Chicago in the alley behind the Sipolt home. |
Trenton Speedway, (Oct. 22) 150-Mile Grand National
The original speedway was a 1 mile dirt track. In 1957 it was paved in and expanded into a 1.5 "kidney bean" shape.
1962 was a busy year for John. He started his season in February racing 15 times favoring the Milwaukee Mile which was close to Lou's home in Chicago.
USAC and NASCAR
- Ascot Park (Feb. 25) Finished 5, 1961 Ford.
- Clovis Speedway (March 4) Finished 7, 1961 Ford, $132 purse
- Pikes Peak Hill Climb (July 4)
- Milwaukee Mile (July 15) Finished 33 blew engine 1962 Ford, $25 purse
- Milwaukee Mile (July 16), Finished 28, 1961 Ford, engine trouble
- Milwaukee Mile (August 12) Finished 12, 1962 Ford, $383 purse
- Milwaukee Mile (August 13) Finished 38, 1961 Ford, engine trouble
- Milwaukee Mile (August 16) Finished 34, accident, 1962 Ford, $25 purse
- Milwaukee Mile (August 17) Finished 30, 1961 Ford, blew head gasket
- DeQuoin State Fairgounds (Sept. 2)
- Indiana State Fairgrounds (Sept. 5) Finished 3, 1962 Ford
- Riverside
- Milwaukee Mile (Sept. 16) Finished 10, 1962 Ford $775 purse
- Milwaukee Mile (Sept. 17) Finished 3, 1962 Ford, purse $2,152
- Trenton International Speedway
ASCOT PARK "100" Mile
Back to the West Coast.....John made an emergency landing at the Ontario International Airport because of landing gear trouble and then drove a spectacular race at Ascot Park. He started in 17th position and spun on the back stretch during the race... he regained control of his car and continued on his way.
He stuck his foot into it and knocked the field off one by one as he smashed his way up to 5th position on the 97th lap. The race was won by A. J. Foyt.
Milwaukee Mile - September 16
Milwaukee 1962 |
RIVERSIDE
1963
USAC and NASCAR
- Riverside International Raceway, (Jan 19) Finished 7, NASCAR Grand National/Pacific Coast, 1962 Ford
- Riverside International Raceway, (Jan. 20) completed 172 laps before accident, Started 27, finished 16, Purse $00
- Continental Raceways CDR (June 3) 1st Place, Purse $1000
- Milwaukee Mile (July 14) Started 5th finished 34, head gasket purse $30
- Milwaukee Mile (Aug. 11) Finished 5th Purse $724.00
- Milwaukee Mile (Aug. 15) Finished 10th Purse $397
- Dequoin State Fairgrounds (Sept. 1) Finished 8
- Indiana State Fairgrounds (Sept. 4) Accident, Completed 88 laps
- Langhorne Speedway (Sept 8) Accident
- Milwaukee Mile (Sept. 15) Finished 5 Purse $1055
- Illinois Speedway (Oct. 6)
The race was the 4th in a series of 55 Winston Cup NASCAR races for 1963 consisting of 185 laps (500 Miles) on a 2.700 mile course. The total time of the race was 5:53:20. Average speed was 84.965mph and the pole speed was 99.59mph. The margin of victory was 35 seconds with 6 caution flags during and race of 52,5000 in attendance.
Dan Gurney won, followed by A.J. Foyt, Troy Rutman, Fireball Roberts and Bobby Johns.
John started 27th in a field of 44 cards. He crashed on lap 172 however he had enough laps completed to register a finish of 16th receiving $500 purse.
1964
- Indianapolis Raceway Park, (May 3), finished 9th, purse $489
- Continental Divide Raceways, 7th finish
- Milwaukee Mile (July 12), Finished 21 (engine problem) purse $226
- Milwaukee Mile (Aug. 16), Finished 8 Purse $611
- Milwaukee Mile (Aug. 21), Finished 3 Purse $1335
- Milwaukee Mile (Sept. 20), Finished 32 (accident) purse
From the Author--Please feel free to contact Sharonaross1@aol.com if you have any additional questions, comments or pictures you would like to share. Also you can contact me on Facebook by searching Sharon Rostek.