RENSSELAER RACEWAY PHOTO SCRAPBOOK #1

THE FIRST STOCK CAR RACE—This photo was taken by Ted Knorr during the August 1953 Japer County Fair at Rensselaer.  Crowd control for the afternoon show on the fairground’s half-mile was non-existent.  This photo was taken during the feature while standing along the guardrail in the fourth turn.

One of the first trophy dash races of 1957—George Wood #81 would win this four-lap event.  Others pictured are Russ Emond of Wolcott #106, John Knapp of Thayer #66 and Monticello’s Ralph Luse #21.  Note how flat this turn is and the old half-mile north turn in the background.
(Wayne Bryant Photo/Ted Knorr Collection)

THE INTERMISSION STUNT—The July 4^th, 1957 bus jump brought a SRO crowd to the track.  Attendance for the weekly Sunday evening stock car shows increase dramatically after this event.  “Crash” Wilson was not hurt and his landing lived up to his name.
(Wayne Bryant Photo/Ted Knorr Collection)

Ralph Luse of Monticello was the Rensselaer track champion for three consecutive years (1955 through 1957).  He drove this neat blue and white Ford couple to many victories.  Ralph passed away in 2004 at his home in Monon.
(Wayne Bryant Photo/Ted Knorr Collection)

ALWAYS A SHOWMAN—Starter Dick Flynn of Monticello was a very important figure in the early going at Rensselaer.  He was a driver, stuntman, flagman, and the first president of the newly formed Racing, Inc. stock car association.  He realized early on, that besides the racing, there was an entertainment factor.  He was always neatly attired when he waved the flags from his infield position.  He runs for his life in this 1959 photo as Nel Steward of Lafayette does a flip down the front stretch.  Sadly, Flynn would die of injuries after being struck by a stock car at Henry’s Speedway (Boswell, Ind.) in 1968.
(Wayne Bryant Photo/Ted Knorr Collection)