The winter of 1951 heralded the beginning of Brownstown Speedway. Though horse racing had been attempted at the half-mile clay track at the Jackson County Fairgrounds, horse racing at this particular track was never successful. That winter, automobile racing was the subject of great discussions at the barber shop, the brick yard and most any place where gentlemen congregated.
Lou Ahlbrand, one of the men behind the idea of automobile racing at the fairgrounds, was joined by Charlie Gaiter, George O’Hara, Ralph Rochner, George Rochner and Kenneth “Bock” Ball. They were the believers — race fans with a passion for the sport and the commitment to make a dream come true.
They were convinced that the future of racing at the fairgrounds belonged to automobiles. They knew that several area tracks were operating successfully and that there was no shortage of talented drivers.
More importantly, they believed that they could put on a show that would excite race fans and newcomers alike. And if the crowd came for one program, the believers were certain the crowd would return for more.
Ball, a member of the fair board, presented the original proposal for racing cars instead of horses at the Jackson County Fairgrounds. During the year following Ball’s proposal, the fair board determined that automobiles would be given a chance at the Fairgrounds. Ball would also be given a chance — he was named promoter and general manager of racing at Brownstown Speedway.
Keeping their promise to make automobile racing at Brownstown a reality, the believers began preparing the track. With shovels, hoes, rakes and a horse-drawn grader, the half-mile track was readied. The fences and posts were whitewashed, and the track was watered down. Now, they had a place to race.
What they needed next was the car. So, in the garage at the Jackson Brick and Hollowware Company in Ewing, the team of Ahlbrand, Gaiter, O’Hara and Rochner built the first car — a ’37 Dodge Coupe with a six-cylinder Chrysler engine.
From the beginning, this team agreed it would not solicit sponsorships. In the days when total purses were $500 or 50 percent of the gate, whichever was greater, the team had only one paid member — its driver.
One half of all winnings were paid to the driver. The other half was allocated for car maintenance, expenses and repairs. Team owners and crew members knew they were there for a love of racing, and anything they earned or learned was used to enhance the performance of their car.
The first stock car race at Brownstown Speedway was held on a Sunday afternoon in May of 1952. The cars were as stock as stock could be. Fans and soon-to-be fans filled the stands. Drivers and cars from all over southern Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky filled the field. The believers who helped build the track entered their No. 50 car driven by Freddy Wilbur of Columbus. The first race was won by Jim Quillen of Columbus.
In late 1954, a new quarter-mile track started being built and was eventually completed for the 1955 season. Though many other changes have taken place at the Speedway, drivers over the years to this day are racing on essentially the same track as the drivers did in ’55.
Rules were implemented for the ’55 season for safety and fairness in competition. “All glass must be removed, windshield optional, cars must be equipped with roll bars and safety belts, fenders can be cut for tire clearance, no chop or channeling; all cushions must be removed and the driver’s seat must be fastened securely to the frame or the floor; wheels may be reinforced for safety, lock rear end optional; and conventional tires, mud or snow; are permissible. These were the car building rules implemented for the ’55 season. Grandstand seating capacity was nearly doubled, lights were installed and Saturday night races at the Speedway became a tradition starting that year.
Lucas Oil announces new president
Lucas Oil Products, a distributor and manufacturer of motor oils and additives, announced that Morgan Lucas, Senior Vice President of Lucas Oil Products and son of Forrest and Charlotte Lucas, will take over as the newly appointed President of Lucas Oil. As Lucas Oil continues to grow and expand into different markets, Morgan is poised to make an immediate impact.
Morgan’s career started with his professional racing debut in 2004, and he soon went on to establish his own race team, Morgan Lucas Racing, where he won multiple event championships. It was there that he was able to gain first-hand experience of the effects of lubricants in combustion engines. This knowledge proved to be invaluable as he expanded his commitment and role at Lucas Oil Products.
“I have watched my father and mother work tirelessly and make countless sacrifices to take Lucas Oil from its modest beginnings to grow it into the thriving enterprise that it is today. The mission they have instilled has always been to exemplify hard work and integrity through the creation of high quality, problem-solving products with an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. Continuing their successful approach and being open-minded to new opportunities amidst the ever-changing marketplace, I am confident we will continue to grow as a company for many years to come,” Morgan said.
Lucas has long been directly involved in the American racing industry through multiple vehicle sponsorships and racing event promotions.
This week in racing history
From 60 years ago this weekend in 1960, Cecil Beavers won the feature race at Brownstown Speedway over Mike Johnson and Calvin Gilstrap.
From 50 years ago this weekend at Haubstadt, Larry Miller won the sprint car feature over Rex Mitchell, Gene Coomes, Cliff Cockrum and Johnny Krebbs.
From 40 years ago in 1980 at Haubstadt, Rickey Hood won the sprint car feature over Larry Gates, Dick Gaines, Bob Kinser and Allen Barr.
Also from 1980 at Twin Cities, Russ Petro won the late model feature race over Dusty Chapman, Carl Collins, Vern LeFevers and Pete Willoughby.
From 30 years ago in 1990 at Brownstown, John Gill won the Kenny Simpson Memorial Race over Scott Bloomquist, Ira Bastin, Paul Shafer and Rick Standridge. Mark Barber won the street stock feature over Earl Plessinger, Scott Patman, Tom Seadler and Mike Fields. George Berry won the bomber feature over Shannon Stewart, Kevin Nagel, Randy Petro and Steve Walp.
Also from 1990 at Haubstadt, Doug Wolfgang won the sprint car feature over Dave Blaney, Joe Gaerte, Steve Kinser and Keith Kauffman.
From 20 years ago in 2000 at Brownstown, Steven Godsey won the late model feature race over Jim Curry, Mark Barber, Mark Bechelli and Marty O’Neal. Mike Fields won the street stock feature over Tim Clark, Joe Johnson, Greg Kendall and Nelson Gingery. Robert Walters won the bomber feature over Ray Godsey Jr., Bubba Woods, Matt Bex and John Phelps.
James Essex writes a motorsports notebook for The Republic. Send comments to sports@therepublic.com.
