Some of Us Found the Outside Edge of the Racetrack…

#66 Clifford Wright, #82 Wayne Sigley, #061 Bob Lawrence, #70 R. B. Flynn, #11 Jack Lamb, and the car just coming into the picture at right is the #42 of Dan Casmaer.  This photo was taken on opening day (Easter Sunday) of 1973 as the cars were exiting the second (southeast) turn at “81” Speedway north of Wichita, Kansas - Mike Cornelison photographs from the Bob Lawrence collection

 

 

 

…But We Recovered and Continued in the Race

Clifford Wright’s white #66 Ford can barely be seen exiting the picture at left.  #11 Jack Lamb, #70 R. B. Flynn, #82 Wayne Sigley, and #061 Bob Lawrence.  The #42 of Dan Casmaer is just entering the picture at right - Mike Cornelison photographs from the Bob Lawrence collection

 

 

 

Ford Dual 

#061 Bob Lawrence is shown racing #70 R. B. Flynn through a turn at “81” Speedway north of Wichita, Kansas - Mike Cornelison photographs from the Bob Lawrence collection

 

 

The Racing was Usually Close at “81” Speedway

#41 John Marshall, #53 Larry Wolf, #17 Mike Daub, and #061 Bob Lawrence - Mike Cornelison photographs from the Bob Lawrence collection

 

 

 

A Typical Night at the Races

With more than 100 semi-late model stock cars in the pits on the infield of the 3/8 mile “81” Speedway racetrack each week, things were a bit crowded but the races drew good crowds of spectators that got their money’s worth in competitive racing.  Driving the cars that have been identified in this photo so far were: #104 Jerry Vogler, #061 Bob Lawrence (that is Bob Lawrence leaning over the front fender of the #061 Ford and car owner Jack Shipman squatted down in front of the car), #99 Ralph Henderson, #95 Phil Shapel, #OX Tom Neff, and #168 Dave White.  The #OX was owned by George Riley.  The #168 was owned by J. L. “Mack” Macklin.  That is Bob Billups, Sr. wearing dark pants and seated on the rear fender of the #168.  The #72 was owned by Pat Sisk and driven by Frank McGehee.  Car #90 was owned by Jack Ashley and driven by Dean Gourley - Mike Cornelison photo from the ”81” Speedway photo collection

 

 

 

“Run Al!”

Starter Al Alexander is shown taking evasive measures to avoid being struck by a spinning Bob Lawrence in Jack Shipman’s #061 Ford before an average sized crowd at “81” Speedway - Mike Cornelison photographs from the Bob Lawrence collection

 

 

 

Front Straight-Away at “81” Speedway on July 3, 1973

Another car had crowded Bob Lawrence’s #061 into the crash wall on the front straight-away.  He was uninjured but the car was not repairable.  Click your mouse on the photo above to see another photo of the car being examined by track officials after it had come to rest.  You can also see the frame laying on the ground right behind the front wheel in that photo - Mike Cornelison photographs from the Bob Lawrence collection