Just Getting Started
From 1952 to 1953, the Putty Hill Garage Racing Team had just begun. They raced mainly with Pete Kantorski behind the wheel of the Number 23. Pete also owned the car. But Ken Marriott piloted the car for him at times. All of the photos below are from my grandfather’s (Jim Bunty) photo album. The available photos from this time period are limited. That’s partially because Jim was drafted into the Army to serve in Korea in 1953 and wasn’t discharged until 1955.
Pete did not stay with the Putty Hill Garage Racing team after 1953. He went out on his own but did not race as often as the Putty Hill Garage team raced. Ken Marriott drove for the team through 1957 and won a NASCAR Modified Championship. There’s more on that in the next era of the Putty Hill Garage Racing Team. In this era, Pete and the team took home the Free State Stock Car Racing Association Championship in 1953.
1952 or 1953 at the Putty Hill Garage
George Heffner, owner of the Putty Hill Garage, is pictured on the left with his arm on Pete’s car.
The team working on Pete Kantorski’s number 23 car in the Putty Hill Garage.
Pete Kantorski in 1952
Pete Kantorski and his Number 23 at races in 1952.
Ken Marriott Wins at Dorsey Speedway in May 1952
Ken Marriott poses with his trophy after winning the Annual Disc Jockey’s Race at Dorsey Speedway in Maryland.
Ken Marriott poses with the Number 23 car after winning the Annual Disc Jockey’s Race at Dorsey Speedway in Maryland.
Unfortunate Events in 1953
The Number 24 car was originally built for Jim Bunty to drive. However, Jim was drafted into the Army to fight in Korea. His good friend, Reds, wrecked the car in a race before Jim ever got to drive it. Jim never did get drive in a race but he remained a team leader through the 1960s.
Explore 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.
