Match Racing in the Wild South

By Ron Pellegrini

I raced both Tommy Ivo's 4-engine car and the twin at probably every track in the south. Some of the time I would race one car on a Wednesday, switch cars, and race the twin on Saturday, and then back to the 4-engine on Sunday. Seem also to remember some Friday nights. Had two trailers and some help towing the cars around. We did a lot of dealer displays for Buick and were busy seven days a week. A lot of fun. Can remember a time when the track gave away live turkeys (off the back of a pick up) and some ended up with less than a whole turkey after fighting and pulling for the prize. 

I remember one operator who had a reputation of disappearing at pay out time and had to figure out a way to get the money. He told me that he would meet me at the motel after the race. This was my first time at his track and I did not want to confront him about the pay out. His young son rode with me to the motel and we made a "trade" when we got there. I have attached two other ads from that era. Notice the "races rain or shine."