+Here's one from 1966, a tragic season in which five drivers died (Jud Larson, Red Reigel, Ron Lux, Dick Atkins, and Don Branson) and several more were seriously injured (Johnny Rutherford, Dave Lundy and Paul Jones, that I know of).
+On the back of the program entry list was a photo of two Playboy Bunnies with the "Harold Young Trophy". To take home the trophy a driver had to win two Eldora USAC features. It didn't say what they had to do to walk away the lovely ladies. Coming in to this event three drivers had one win and a leg up on the trophy; Don Branson (10/65), Arnie Knepper (4/3/66), and Larry Dickson (4/17/66).
Time Trials - 35 Cars
55 George Snider......................21.07
76 Ralph Liguori........................19.71
26 Bob Tattersall.......................21.17
91 Dee Jones............................19.88
50 Wes Stafford........................20.41
-7 Hal Minyard..........................19.97
51 Roger McCluskey..................19.10
Quick Time
61 Chuck Allen..........................21.51
14 Arnie Knepper......................20.49
16 Greg Weld...........................20.21
52 Sammy Sessions..................20.19
38 Al Unser..............................21.33
12 Ronnie Duman.....................22.03
29 Larry Dickson.......................20.38
99 Chuck Arnold........................DNQ
77 Bud Randall.........................20.26
84 Leo Caldwell........................20.90
47 Bobby Black.........................22.10
72 Edgar Elder..........................21.75
43 Don Hewitt...........................21.34
23 Bob Harkey..........................20.87
26 Dave Lundy..........................21.26
93 Norm Brown.........................20.51
-9 Bud Tingelstad......................19.96
-3 Bob Wente...........................20.81
20 Butch Wilkerson...................21.52
31 Gene Baxter........................22.12
-1 Al Smith..............................20.13
11 Bob Pratt.............................20.63
-6 Don Branson........................20.03
44 Wib Spalding.......................21.27
95 Karl Busson.........................21.23
22 Dale Burton.........................21.27
63 Ron Lux..............................21.36
-4 Bruce Jacobi.........................21.31
First Heat - 8 Laps - 2:45.53
51 Roger McCluskey......................1
76 Ralph Liguori............................5
91 Dee Jones................................6
-9 Bud Tingelstad..........................2
-7 Hal Minyard..............................3
-6 Don Branson............................4
Second Heat - 8 Laps - No Time
-6 Don Branson............................1
91 Dee Jones...............................4
16 Greg Weld...............................2
-1 Al Smith..................................3
29 Larry Dickson..........................5
77 Bud Randall.............................6
Third Hedat - 8 Laps - No Time
91 Dee Jones...............................1
77 Bud Randall.............................6
29 Larry Dickson..........................2
76 Ralph Liguori...........................4
50 Wes Stafford...........................5
14 Arnie Knepper.........................3
Semi-Feature - 10 Laps - No Time
76 Ralph Liguori...........................9
50 Wes Stafford..........................10
77 Bud Randall............................8
93 Norm Brown...........................2
11 Bob Pratt................................1
-3 Bob Wente..............................3
23 Bob Harkey............................7
84 Leo Caldwell...........................5
55 George Snider........................6
95 Karl Busson............................4
Feature - 30 Laps - 10:14.99
51 Roger McCluskey....................6
-9 Bud Tingelstad........................4
-7 Hal Minyard...........................12
-6 Don Branson.................
The Winner
16 Greg Weld..............................5
-1 Al Smith.................................2
91 Dee Jones.............................11
29 Larry Dickson.........................3
14 Arnie Knepper........................7
11 Bob Pratt...............................9
93 Norm Brown..........................8
-3 Bob Wente............................10
95 Karl Busson..........................14
84 Leo Caldwell.........................13
+With the win Branson took possession of the "Harold Young Trophy" which I don't believe I ever heard of again.
+Branson was in Jud Phillips' Leader Card Spl.
+Al Smith had taken over Wally Meskowski's Wynn's Spl. in which Johnny Rutherford had sailed over the wall just out of turn 2, badly breaking both arms. This was at the Eldora opener on 4/3/66.
+Sammy Sessions took a nasty spill in the #52 Lang Chevy when the throttle stuck after completing his 2nd timed lap. Came down very hard upside down and this was with only a roll hoop to protect. Sammy emerged o.k. It was later in the year, I think when Larry Dickson and maybe Gus Linder were the first to sport roll cages. Heated discussions about that, pro and con, all season.
+Another thing I recall about the Sessions wreck was his wife, Trinket (I think....or was it Tinker?
), was seated just to our right and took out several fans getting out the aisle and down to the fence.
Back then, no ladies in the pits.
+The next day, 7/4/66, Sammy wheeled Dale Doty's Vivian Buick Spl.to 8th in the feature at Salem, IN. I spoke briefly with him and Ron Lux that morning. I think they were friends from their super-modified days. Lux ran 12th at Salem and that was the last time I got to see him as he was killed a few races later at Tulsa. Good guy......they both were.
+Enuff!
had to say it danny.