[Photo Album]: Stock Car Racing from the 1950s

THOMPSON, Joseph

Published by Ohio, 1961

About this Item

Folio measuring 12" x 13". Screw bound pink plastic photo album with a paper label affixed to the front board which reads "Joe Race 55-60." Contains 130 black and white or color photographs as well as 100 newspaper clippings, and additional ephemeral pieces. Very good album with tears, chips, and rubbing with near fine photographs. A scrapbook compiled by Joseph "Joe" Thompson of stock car racing photographs and ephemera from the Ohio area between 1954 and 1961. Thompson was a stock car builder, racer, and owner for over 50 years and served as the president of the Northern Ohio Stock Car Owners and Drivers Association. He was affiliated with the Moss Racing All-Stars and World of Outlaws Sprint Car Racing. He personally raced at all the important Ohio raceways and tracks including Sandusky, Mansfield, Ashland Fair, Mt. Vernon, Attica, and Fremont. The album, which focuses on Modified Stock Car Racing, includes photographs and autographs of many of the drivers and their classic modified stock cars including Kaye Ammons, Joe Thompson, Bob Prosser, Richard Dickerson, Ray Delarwelle, Doug Armstutz, and more. The photos feature images of racing, working in the garage, and crashes. Additionally included are various pieces of ephemera collected over the years such as racing permits, liability waivers, rule booklets, payout envelopes, raceway forms, notices, and letters. One article tells of a 1960 race where "Wright got a flat and Amstutz went on to the 15th lap when his car burst into flame and he drove to infield for them to put the fire out. He jumped out immediately but his car was badly damaged." Another article tells of the death of a racer, George Neely, who died after "hitting another auto and rolling up an embankment at Mansfield Raceway." Along with photos of races Joe participated in events such as state fairs. Photos from the 1955 Columbus State Fair and Ohio State Fair can be seen here with images of Joe and friends posing by their car and on a race track. There are also some pictorial postcards which feature aerial photography of a few of the race tracks. An excellent documentation of early Ohio stock car culture.

Seller Inventory # 408196

Bibliographic Details

• Title: [Photo Album]: Stock Car Racing from the 1950s
• Publisher: Ohio
• Publication Date: 1961
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Very Good