So, I do have to admit, I was a bit disappointed initially. I thought when I dug into the archives from this week in 1971 I’d find some NYS Fair race action, or really high hopes of finding the 1st Annual Robert Petrocci Memorial Race. No such luck.
Apparently Bob must have had commitments up in Western New York, as I found Ransomville and Merrittville, but nothing from Central New York.
I was however, pleasantly surprised to find the All Star Race from Williamsgrove!
The Tampa Terror was in his prime and apparently had a horseshoe riding along on this night! He would lose a cylinder near the halfway point in the race and was nursing the car home. Bobby Gerhart and Budd Olsen would lead laps and it appeared Olsen was going to score the victory. He was a complete lap ahead of second place Cagle!
On lap 85 the Olsen machine ran out of fuel and Cagle inherited the lead. He would gain a commanding lead before taking the checkers over Bobby Malzahn and Tighe Scott coming in third. Richie Evans and Jerry Cook would round out the top five.
What a star studded field! Can you imagine watching all those great drivers in action! Well, we can check out the photos anyway. Hope you enjoy!
