What Track is this?

[chris3racing]

The driver, last year at Roxboro Dragway, was my son Chris (Hemiparts). The car was orginally driven be Don Carlton and last owned and driven by Mike Fons. The night that car went down the track was the first time, best guess, in 20 years. Chris, after driving the car that night, has had the opportunity to talk with Pappas and many of the original team members of Don Carlton racing.

[FED 387]

Ebern-- I sent you an Email please get back to me--thanx comp387

[Arnold Greene]

The car in the picture was assembled by the late Tom Stenzel and myself in the summer of 1969. We set the A/S record at Gainesville on September 13, 1969 while I was still in the Navy, staioned at Cecil Field.

I brought the car home( Chapel Hill) with me in late 69 and raced it at Fayetteville, Sanford, Dunn Benson, Piedmont and Roxboro(when it was 1/4 mile).

I have a picture from a 1970ND (that my Mother framed) from the same day. The classification and number on the windshield is the same. The name "Law and Order" came from Tom's street racing Chevelle. On the front fender is NHRA Record Holder and the rear quarter has Gordon THompson Chevrolet and a bowtie.

Chris, thanks for the picture, and Ebern, I remember that high winding small block of yours. Those were the days!

[Mopar Steve]

Originally Posted by chris3racing

The driver, last year at Roxboro Dragway, was my son Chris (Hemiparts). The car was orginally driven be Don Carlton and last owned and driven by Mike Fons. The night that car went down the track was the first time, best guess, in 20 years. Chris, after driving the car that night, has had the opportunity to talk with Pappas and many of the original team members of Don Carlton racing.

Don Carlton never laid a hand on that car. It was built by Dick Landy for Irv Beringhaus. After Irv's untimely death, Mike Fons bought it from Irv's widow. Fons had already purchased the "Motown Missile" 'cuda and naming rights from Ted Spehar in 1972. After Fons sold the Duster, it made it's way through a number of owners in Ohio. It was being raced on and off up into 2004 by Ron Walker from Central Ohio.

[chris3racing]

You are correct sir, my mistake in names, that car was not owned or driven by Don Carlton.

[Hemiparts]

Originally Posted by Mopar Steve

Don Carlton never laid a hand on that car. It was built by Dick Landy for Irv Beringhaus. After Irv's untimely death, Mike Fons bought it from Irv's widow. Fons had already purchased the "Motown Missile" 'cuda and naming rights from Ted Spehar in 1972. After Fons sold the Duster, it made it's way through a number of owners in Ohio. It was being raced on and off up into 2004 by Ron Walker from Central Ohio.

The Missile was completely redone after it's purchase from Irv's widow in a shop not far from where Carltons cars were built. Thats why you see alot of the unique features that Carlton used his cars on the Motown Missile ( if you ever see the Missile cars notice that the wheel tubs are not rounded as they were made from flat sheets of titanium as well as the use of titanium through out the front area or the car.) to make the cars lighter and faster. ( take it from someone whos been behind the wheel of one of these cars they are a handful) As far as Carlton never driving the car, he did make several passes on diffrent occasions in the car to help Mike with his chassis set-up. The car was pulled from a garage in Columbus OH in late 2007 by Kevin Christner and restored back to it's near orginal condition. He had hoped to use the car in a match race tour this year in support of several childrens charties untill his untimely passing in January of this year. The car is curerently in safe keeping while his family works through his estate preceedings.The only true " Carlton cars" that are known to exist 1) is in Fl that was in the Garlits museum, it has had it's original motor pulled and replaced with a large cid race motor and had the chassis updated to curent 25.1 specs. The "Wire Car" and the "yellow car " that can be seen in some of the photos from Carltons shop in NC are owned by a gentleman in CA who also owns the " Motown Missile " Pro Stock Neon from a few years back. I have heard tell of a Carlton Rod Shop Colt in FL ( Kevin and I had an appointment to see the car in Feb of this year before he passed) but I have not seen any on the track.


Chris

[Mopar Steve]

I can imagine how the car drove, I have an '82 Horizon that was done by Herb McCandless. I also know the details on what Kevin's plans were for the car. I'm no stranger to the Mopar world.

I will say this, The Yellow car was parted out in New Jersey in the early 90's. I have pics of it then and believe the body to have been scrapped. There are more Carlton/Hodges cars than you think. There are also Clyde Hodges built cars that are quite similar to Carlton cars. I will not comment on the Colt.

[slawton]

Someone contact Tim Sloan - bet he could could identify that track!

[chris3racing]

I'll bet Tim can identify most of the cars I have pictures of at that track.

[Hemiparts]

While we're playing guess that track I wan't to throw out a real curve ball!! Can anyone name this track in NC ???