Re: 26,843 Fans at 1942 Race
 

I didn't see it in the article but this was a CSRA (Central States Racing Association) race. AAA had dropped out of racing at the end of 1941 because of the war but other groups continued to race until sometime in July in 1942 when the government stopped all racing. Chitwood ended up being the 1942 CSRA champion. Drivers like Chitwood and Ted Horn won big car championships in both AAA and CSRA because there were working agreements between the two groups since they both wanted the biggest name drivers for their races.

Re: 26,843 Fans at 1942 Race
 

Originally Posted by 2140rc:
I didn't see it in the article but this was a CSRA (Central States Racing Association) race. AAA had dropped out of racing at the end of 1941 because of the war but other groups continued to race until sometime in July in 1942 when the government stopped all racing. Chitwood ended up being the 1942 CSRA champion. Drivers like Chitwood and Ted Horn won big car championships in both AAA and CSRA because there were working agreements between the two groups since they both wanted the biggest name drivers for their races.

Yes, Chitwood had an amazing run during the summer of 1942. He was driving for Hank O'Day, the same car he was driving for the 1939 AAA Eastern Sprint Car Series championship.

5-30-42 Milwaukee WI 1st in feature IMCA
5-31-42 Cape Girardeau Fairgrounds Cape, MO 1st in time trials, 1st in heat 1, 1st in feature IMCA
6-14-42 Scott County Fairgrounds Davenport, IA 1st in feature CSRA
6-21-42 Des Moines Co. Fairgrounds Burlington, IA 1st in feature IMCA
6-28-42 Batavia Fairgrounds NY 1st in feature, 3rd in heat 1, 1st in feature CSRA
7-4-42 State Fairgrounds Birmingham, AL 1st in time trials, 2nd in match race, 1st in feature CSRA

Bart

Re: 26,843 Fans at 1942 Race
 

You should read the book"safe at any speed" The story of Joe it's amazing read.
Did you know Joe was the first to make and wear an arm belt at indy.
He was complaining about some bumps throwing him out of car and he needed something to hold him in. The officials only allowed him to use it as long as if he let go in the case of a crash because they didn't want him to stay with car in flips haha what a time.
Dude also drove cars to the stunt show and then used them to jump delivery trucks with windshield and head light and all.
Just wild stuff.