Article on George Williams

[Robert Swartz]

Ran across this the other day. Was at the grocerie store with me spouse. While she was off searching for something or other, left me at the magazine aisle. Saw this one called "Drag Racing" or some such, seemed more pictures and glitz than anything else but picked it up and thumbed thru it.

There was a little one page article by Rich Brady. Spoke of his personal relationship with George and their travels together. A nice little read. Brought back some memories of my younger days and watching George and that Vega. I can relate to it because I was running with the Meek Brothers and we campaigned a 4 cylinder Pinto.

Honestly, I was just a dumb kid at the time didn't really get to know George Williams very well. He was just part of the group of racers from Indiana. Along with the Meeks, Carl Lackey, Buddy King, Ken Hutchinson (whom my partner Tod Lane, worked with at Chuck Calahan Ford), Otis Isom, Marlin Snyder and numerous others whom I've forgotten their names. We all used used to pit together (if possible) at many of the regional tracks and divisional races. Which as I've become older, those were wonderful memories to have the opportunity to recall.

It also brought back a personal memory. Last time I saw George, was at a Friday nite bracket race of all things. Mind you, this was 20+ years ago. If memory serves me, we had just pulled into the lanes, I was checking over the car. I hear this little 4 cylinder rumble up and pit beside us. Looked over, there was George Williams. I walked over, introduced myself, not real sure he knew who I was. But he did know whom I had raced with. Ended up, we had a nice talk, discussed our cars and caught up. Last time I ever saw the man. Guess according to the article, he still has his old Vega.

[Dick Butler]

A Good guy in the racing clan..I met him years ago. I was there to watch him run Paul Mayo for Sportsnational Win. He worked hard on the Vega.

[mopar68]

If I recall correctly, his Vega was called: Swampy's Toy.

M68

[art leong]

Originally Posted by mopar68

If I recall correctly, his Vega was called: Swampy's Toy.

M68

It was called Swampy's Toy. And he also won The Gators in 1980.

[Terry Cain]

Robert,
Ran George MANY a time. Hated to run him because I'd usually wear a set of front tires out once (and if) I caught him on the big end.

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by mopar68

If I recall correctly, his Vega was called: Swampy's Toy.

M68

"SWAMPYS TOY" (a play on the guys name...Marsh) was owned by a Phil Marsh and it was a 2 door hatchback painted like Grumpys Pro Stocker. Talked to him at Engishtown many years (sometime in the early 70's) ago after Grumpy posed for a photo with him in the pits. If I recall Georges Vega was a panel truck (a wagon without the side windows).

[art leong]

Originally Posted by X-TECH MAN

"SWAMPYS TOY" (a play on the guys name...Marsh) was owned by a Phil Marsh and it was a 2 door hatchback painted like Grumpys Pro Stocker. Talked to him at Engishtown many years (sometime in the early 70's) ago after Grumpy posed for a photo with him in the pits. If I recall Georges Vega was a panel truck (a wagon without the side windows).

Terry is was 30 years ago , so I could be wrong. But I remember Georges car as Swampy's Toy. We ran him in 1980 in the final of the Gators. It was a panel wagon.

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by art leong

Terry is was 30 years ago , so I could be wrong. But I remember Georges car as Swampy's Toy. We ran him in 1980 in the final of the Gators. It was a panel wagon.

Maybe they both named thier cars the same????? Phil Marsh had the same red and white paint design Jenkins had at the time and had Swampys Toy lettered on the doors just like Jenkins car. It caught Grumpys attention at English Town and Da Grump started up the coversation with Phil while I was looking at it. I dont recall seeing the car very many times (maybe 2 times) after that as it wasnt very competitive and George had way better luck with his combo. I do recall a small picture in Car Craft magazine of it around 73 or 74(?) when I first worked for NHRA Div. 1. I never saw Georges car in person either but saw many pictures in National Dragster. It could be both had the name.

[thomas sheehan]

Here is a picture that I believe Tom Kasch has posted before.....
(of George Williams at Bowling Green)



and here is one that Bill Truby took of the Meek Bros pinto

[Robert Swartz]

Tom,

Thanks for reposting those pictures. That Meek Bros. Pinto, the D/MC came later. They payed their dues in Stock for a number of years. They built the modified about late 1977-78. I didn't get much experience with it. I had already struck out on my own to try my luck.

IF I had a way to post it, I have a video (VHS of course), we shot in the late 80's. They got the urge to run the car again. I helped them a little in refurbing it. They learned quickly, it wasn't a real fun car to bracket race.

Trying to remember about George's Vega. I do believe it was painted a white color, early on? That was the 70's, alot of things I can't recall with clarity, LOL.