Keokuk (Iowa) Racers Reunion - Chargers and More...

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Thanks guys.   

Milt Wood brought this race car project to the meet.    It was originally built at Nichels Engineering.   Milt is certain it was formerly a Sal Tovella car, which means it was likely once driven by Norm Nelson or Roger McCluskey as a Plymouth.    When Milt got it, it had an '82 Corboda body.   Being from Michigan, he decided he wanted to restore it as Iggy Katona's #30 Charger 500.    Iggy was leading the 1970 ARCA 300 at Daytona, but blew a tire handing the win to Ramo Stott in the Superbird.   Iggy did win the race the next year. 

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Another view of Milt's car. 

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I did not get to ask Milt if he will eventually put the rear plug in.    The car is not running yet.   This is his second stock car project.    His other car is the 1972 Dodge Charger of Bob Brevak which he has ready to run. 

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Inside Milt's Charger.

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Rear view

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Ramo Stott brought his VW Thing.    Ramo is never short in the hat department.

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Dick Hutcherson was a NASCAR driver from Keokuk, driving for Zecol Lubaid and later Holman-Moody.   After retiring in 1968,  Dick was the team manager for David Pearson's #17 Torino.   He later started the car building firm of Hutcherson-Pagan who built the majority of NASCAR stock cars in the post-1971 era.      Dick also drove at Lemans in 1966 finishing 3rd overall in a GT40.    He passed away in 2005. This is his Lemans driver medallion.    A very valuable piece of memorabilia.  

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Dick Hutcherson won the 1967 Dixie 500 at Atlanta. 

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Stein from the 1968 Ford Motorsports Banquet.

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Hutch, back in the day.

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Sherri Peddicord brought this nice Talladega to the meet.   Sherri and husband Bill drove the car up from southern Illinois.    

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Hand painted sign.   The "Beep Beep" part was a decal that Ford had made up.    Sherri also has a nice 69 Charger with a 383.   She is equal opportunity.

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Tony Johnson's Superbird project.    This car has been seen online often as a barn find covered in dust.    Work has been started on it, and it was sort of bolted back together for display at Keokuk.

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This is a Hutcherson-Pagan built Camaro originally driven by Terry Ryan in USAC.   It is very similar to the #51 Camaro driven by A.J. Foyt to the 1979 USAC championship.    The Ryan car is still actively  raced in IMCA Old Timers on dirt by Curt Daughters.    This car is very much a survivor from the period and has not been restored.

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1967 USAC stock car champion Don White with the replica door of his 1968 Charger.

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Ramo Stott's Superbird

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Ramo and his wife Judy Stott with the Superbird.    Ramo is wearing a 1974 team shirt when he was sponsored by the Housby Mack truck dealership.

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Original Stott Racing Team uniform patch.   About 8" x 11"

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Lem Blankenship drove the Superbird six times for Ramo in 1970 and 1971.    He was Ramo's only paid employee at the time.   All the other guys were volunteers.    This is the plaque awarded to Lem for "Most Improved Driver" in 1971.

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1970 Plymouth full page newspaper ad. 

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Cool looking pit board.

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Reunion of Ramo's 1970 Daytona crew.     From left, Larry, Andy, Lem Blankenship, Ramo Stott.    Andy had not seen Ramo for over 40 years.

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Actual 1970 photo from Daytona.   The same guys shown above are in the same order starting fourth from right,  Larry, Andy, Lem, Ramo.   

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Drivers swapping stories.    From left,  Don White,  Doug Neff (emcee), Ron Hutcherson,  Lem Blankenship.

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Ramo got the microphone last.   He is telling a story about returning from Daytona in the 1960's on two lanes.     They got pulled over in sort of a Hazzard County place called Waycross Georgia.   The local sheriff was a corrupt man named Robert E Lee (go figure).   Because they did not have a "fuel permit" to travel through the county,  the driver was thrown in jail.    The fine was $200.   When Ramo balked and called the State Patrol they told him, "I know what you're into there.   You 'd just better pay it and be on your way".    The sheriff then increased the fine to $300.  A lot of dough in those days.