Step back in time and dive into the exhilarating story of the Putty Hill Garage Racing Team from Baltimore, Maryland through the 1950s and early 1960s. This legendary team was not just about speed; it was about pushing boundaries, taking risks, and chasing victory. The Putty Hill Garage racing team kicks off our People with Purpose collection with a mini-series of it’s own. Each installment covers an era in their journey with photographs taken by team members as well as newspaper and track photographers.
- 1952-1953: Just Getting Started
- 1954-1957: A Pair of Champion Drivers
- 1958-1959: Dominance at Alcyon Speedway
- 1960-1961: The Nite Crawlers
- 1962-1964: Gastrock Special
Who was the Putty Hill Garage Racing Team?
You’ll notice a core group of men as you navigate through the eras of the Putty Hill Garage Racing Team. They include my grandfather Jim Bunty, George Heffner, George Williams, Joe Westerman, Wally Isennock, and Richard Young. These are the men who were the Putty Hill Garage Racing Team. Drivers and car owners came and went. These men were constant.
The team got their start working out of George Heffner‘s Putty Hill Garage on Belair Road in Nottingham, Maryland. This wasn’t their day jobs. This was their passion. They did this in the evenings and weekends. Not all of them were even employed by the Putty Hill Garage. My grandfather was a shop foreman at Smith Motor Company, which was about 5 miles from the Putty Hill Garage. George Heffner, the owner of the Putty Hill Garage, was a Baltimore County judge during the day.
What Drove the Team to Success?
The Putty Hill Garage Racing Team was fueled by passion, determination, and a relentless drive to be the best. The owners and drivers got the winnings (not that it was much) and the public credit. This team lived and breathed racing every night of the week simply because they loved it.
The Reputation of the Putty Hill Garage Racing Team
Their trademark white and red began in 1954 when George Heffner owned the car. That branding stayed with them through the 1960s. Even when the car, car owners, and drivers changed, their brand stayed. The Putty Hill Garage Racing Team was unique in that regard.
Of course, a team is always important. But in motorsports, the owners and drivers typically get the glory, the spoils, and the credit. Although, this team’s drivers and car owners still got the public credit, the Putty Hill Garage Team was definitely different. They had such a reputation that owners and drivers came to them and kept the team’s brand. They wanted to be associated with the Putty Hill Garage Racing Team.
This is a team that collected three consecutive Free State Stock Car Racing Association Championships (1953, 1954, 1955) and three NASCAR Modified Championships (1957, 1960, 1961) with three car owners and four different drivers. These drivers were accomplished in their own right but only one captured a championship without the Putty Hill Garage Racing Team. Johnny Roberts of the Nite Crawlers Racing Team era won the 1953 NASCAR Sportsman Championship. To my knowledge, none of the car owners won a championship without the Putty Hill Garage Racing Team.
How Did They Conquer the Competition?
With a combination of skill, strategy, and ingenuity, the Putty Hill Garage Racing Team blazed a trail of success on the track. They pushed themselves to the limit, constantly seeking ways to outsmart, outmaneuver, and outwork their rivals.
Why Should You Remember Them?
The legacy of the Putty Hill Garage Racing Team serves as a reminder that greatness is not achieved by playing it safe or waiting for “the right time”. It’s about embracing challenges, pushing past obstacles, daring to dream big, and taking action. Their story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the thrill of the chase.
So, as you navigate the twists and turns of your own journey, remember the spirit of the Putty Hill Garage Racing Teams. Embrace the challenges, take the risks, and chase your dreams with the same fearless determination that defined this legendary team.
Navigate the Eras of the Putty Hill Garage Racing Team
Just Getting Started
From 1952 to 1953, Pete Kantorski was the car owner and driver of the Number 23. The team was the Free State Stock Car Racing Association Champion in 1953.
A Pair of Champion Drivers
From 1954 to 1957, championship drivers Ralph Smith and Ken Marriott raced the Number 88 and 88A, respectively, to earn the team’s first titles.
Dominating Alcyon Speedway
From 1958 to 1959, Ed “Fireball” Lindsay took over the Number 88, racking up his share of wins, particularly at Alcyon Speedway in New Jersey.
The Nite Crawlers
In 1960 and 1961, the team won back-to-back NASCAR Modified Championships with car owner Tiny Slayton and driver Johnny Roberts.
Gastrock Special
1962 to 1964 saw a few drivers for the team. With Gastrock Towing as the new car owner, the car was now the Number 12 and a Buick Special with a Nailhead engine.
