Really nice photos. I love the supers but they dont have the following
they did when I was growing up.
They are still my favorite form of real honest racing.
I drive from FT. Wayne IN. to OSWEGO N. Y. at least 4 times a year
to see the best.
I also see ISMA when they come to the midwest.
Not just supermodifieds and sprints, but Larry Rice and Greg Leffler had their USAC Dirt Cars (Silver Crown) in the field too.
In the first pic down below, which came from an old Open Wheel Magazine, you can just make out Rice #1 and Leffler #2 racing their Silver Crown cars against a group of sprinters and Bentley’s super.
Just to add even more to the "weirdness" of the first Syracuse Supernationals was that it was a points-paying World of Outlaws race. However, Steve Kinser, Sammy Swindell and Doug Wolfgang were racing in a different WoO race out in California on the same day.
Don’t think a pavement super can get sideways on the dirt? Check out the other photo down below of Bentley getting ready to pounce on the unsuspecting sprinter of Allen Klinger. One of my all-time favorite pics from that ’78 Syracuse race (sorry for the quality):
JJ, it was quite a day at the 1978 Syracuse Super Nationals indeed. As you said, a few of the Silver Crown cars were there as well.
Bentley Warren - a racing legend, veteran and champion. Maybe you remember ole' Benny in the #44 modified racing at the Syracuse Mile - finishing 2nd on 1 September 1969. I have a photo of Bentley Warren aboard the #44 modified somewhere in my piles of racing memorabilia - if I can find it I will post it.
Originally Posted by Midwest Connection:
Bentley Warren - a racing legend, veteran and champion. Maybe you remember ole' Benny in the #44 modified racing at the Syracuse Mile - finishing 2nd on 1 September 1969. I have a photo of Bentley Warren aboard the #44 modified somewhere in my piles of racing memorabilia - if I can find it I will post it.
Bentley’s #44 modified was a bit before my time, Rich. I’ve got some pics myself, though. I’ve attached an old Gater News photo of Bentley chasing race winner Don Diffendorf #12 on his way to that second place finish at Syracuse in 1969. That’s Al Tasnady in the #4. A friend of my dad’s recently found the old “Roach Coach” and is now in the process of restoring it. It was quite a “piece”.
Another cool pic I have is one of Bentley’s super at Syracuse during Super Dirt Week 1976, two years before his Supernationals victory. Bentley and car owner Dave Snyder came to the Mile with the sole purpose of breaking the track record, which they did after a few practice laps. They then loaded up, removed the wing and won on the pavement up at Oswego that same evening.
Rich, this post sure brought back allot of memories. Loved it when you post all of the old racing stuff I was a part of. I am sure I have that picture of Shelly Muldoon presenting Jim Shampine with his hardware somewhere. Talked to Shelly over the holidays, she and Bobby are going to become first time grandparents in 2010. What can you say about Bentley, he will never hang up his helmet. Dave and Cindi Snyder were great car owners.
