JUNIOR STOCKERS!…the backbone of Dover

[paul-ceasrine]

I see Frank Ioconia in the Banana I, in 1970.
With his 1957 Chevy 150 Series

Now classed in M/SA at Dover, with a 283/245HP Dual-Carb engine.

In 1969, it was classed in H/Stock with a 283/283HP Fuel Injection combination.
It won the 69′ Super/Stock Magazine Nationals at York, PA.

That guy knew how to combo a car,,,,,,,and play with the NHRA factors.

[dinoKeymaster]

I’ll be hitting the big ODF galleries and posting more shots here,to pump this topic up….need your input Guys…Junior Stockers -Check In.

[babycakesParticipant]

I often wonder where Carmen Rotonda is nowadays,rumor has it Florida.We ran against him in 63 when he had a 58 Chevy with a 409 (B/G).His brother Dominick and I were drafted into the Army the same day and had basic training together at Fort Dix in ‘Jersey’.Carmen has a ‘speed shop’ in Blommfield,N.J.and started out with a Jr.Stock ’57’ Chevy.Soon after,he had a ’61’ Vette (dark green and gold accents) running G/S winning the ‘Nationals” in his class in 67 and 68 I believe.This Vette was sharp looking between the paint job and lettering,and he was quite competitive in the Jr. Stock ranks at that time.I visited his shop a few times during the early ’70’s’ where he graduated to a 67 Camaro Pro Stock,then a Duster,then got involved with ‘Brooklyn Heavy’ who purchased the previous ‘Billy the Kid’ (Stepps’s) Challanger Pro Stocker,which he maintained and drove it for them.Boy,talk about ‘busy’ his shop was wall to wall with drag cars waiting to be worked on for engines.rears,and modifications.Last I remember.he had a Pro Stock Vega and did very well running against the ‘big’ dogs on the eastern Pro Stock circut,I wonder if any O.D.F members have any photos of his Jr.Stockers to share (circa 65 to 69) ?

[paul-ceasrine]

There are photos of the green 61′ Corvette all over the place.

Originally, the Musser Brothers car, 283/270 HP dual-quad (painted red).
1965 C/S
1966 D/S
1967 C/S
1968 F/S
1969 G/S

[babycakesParticipant]

Thanks Paul for the ‘info’ on Rotonda’s (Musser Bros.) 61 Vette Jr. Stocker.I often wonder where this and other ‘east coast’ Jr. Stockers are today such as Dino has a photo of the ’70’ points meet at Dover on the forum.Once in a while you’ll see one appear at a drag meet to get your heart pounding to see it once again.Talk about a ‘tough’ field to get through every weekend,you and your race car had to be 100% ready!

[dinoKeymaster]

Heres a little ‘peek’ at the adjustments happening as late as 1965 with what to do with eliminators.This is from Sept.12-1965. That day Al Bowes won “Stock” Elim. with his A/SP stock Vette…/MSP (modified Sport)..ran with gassers and modified production. “Little Stock .” was won by Jim Winkler in his newly purchased ‘Henry The Eighth”

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[dinoKeymaster]

Heres another Eastern Drag News report from June 20 1965..Notice -no Super Stock And Stock elim. yet…just Stock and little Stock.Nice shot of Moroso snuck in.We Are Lacking Drag Paper Results from ’66 thru 68. ’65 was when Eastern Drag News merged with Drag Times.

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[dinoKeymaster]

Another Sept. 1965 to show you all the Elim.at that time ..and put the whole thing in ,..some real familiar names…even though this is about “Junior Stock” . Soon things would change to: Super Stock-Stock- Street- Comp …and we had some other experiments with a “Super” elim. & “Modifed” at differant times.Anybody know Joan Turner? -I/’SA

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[dinoKeymaster]

Freddy Murphy’s Yellow Fever…Notice blank Class ..usually ran L/S ….the guys knew how to switch out and change …with the “weather”….also interesting, the word’s “Black Arrow” taken off front fender in front of “Racing Team”. Have to ask Fred why ????

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[paul-ceasrine]

Stu Silverman,,,,,,from down our way with his B/S, 1964 Pontiac GTO 389/348 HP, Tri-Carbed, bursting with 12.70’s.
Adams Pontiac, Peekskill, New York [ New lettering-SS/E-Changed Dealers-Dino-edit]
Ran SS/E in 1967 (when Super/Stock expanded)

Also, Ray Braxton, 1962 Impala Sport Coupe 327/250HP,,,,cleaned up in G/SA in 65′, and H/SA in 66′,running 15.05’s, and resurfaced again in 1969 in M/SA.

And Lou Centolanza, with his 65′ Valiant 273/235 HP ‘Lil Brute’, tearing up D/SA in 1965 with low 14.00’s.

That 1970 Points Meet,,,,,many Stocker National Champions
Carmen Rotunda
Frank Iaconio
Tritak Performance
Jerry Stein
Al Oster
Wayne Jessel
John Archambault

Babycakes,

That 61′ 283/270 HP Carmen Rotunda (ex-Musser Brothers) Corvette.
Set the D/S record in August 1966 with a 12.78. It held up through 1968. (67′ C/S and 68′ F/S)

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[dinoKeymaster]

And Gotta add this Guy!

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[dinoKeymaster]

This is from 1966-67…had a Super Stock Nationals decal from 66 in rear bumper.

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[dinoKeymaster]

Classic Elim Run…Joe in the ‘ Trick Tank’ out To catch the ‘Bad Banana’…ODF Gallery’s come through again ….Who WON?….to be continued 😮

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[dinoKeymaster]

“The Dover Bloodshot Red Eye, catches another one ! ….automatic win for Kenney in lane one as the Banana Slips through the beam”

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[dinoKeymaster]

Terry O’Shea….getting a nice angle on the Line up before Elininations

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