Racing pictures from the early 50's My grandpas racing career.

[99lsWON]

my mom was cleaning out the basement yesterday and found some old photo albums with some reeaally old pictures in them. My grandfather was William "wild bill" Donnenworth. he raced dirt track, these pictures are from the 50's. I was really excited when i was looking at these and thought id scan em and share em. these are only a few of the couple hundred that are in the albums. hope you guys like em.


my grandpa and grandma. I never got to meet her, she died before i was born.

grandpa accepting a trophy. i think we have that somewhere around here.

The back of the first picture says "7-12-53 first race with new engine and new sponsors" second picture says "7-12-53 flipped over in feature race. taking 3rd place"

this is definetly my favorite picture.

my dad, uncle, and I all have a shirt with this picture on it.

 

[Krazybones]

Very Cool! Thank you for sharing

 

[team_southside]

those are some really cool old pictures casey. I love looking at old hot rod stuff like that.

 

[forcefed92]

those pics are awesome love seeing cool old pics like this

 

[82coupe351]

Thats awesome. Thanks a ton for sharin them...

 

[prostreetblazer]

good stuff !

 

[Mr Mach 1]

That is really cool!!!

 

[bottlefed93]

very cool

 

[bigg]

wow , your uncle terry looks just like your grandfather

 

[StockNotch]

Back when racing was racing, and stock cars were stock cars! LOVE IT!

 

[dante1120]

very cool thanks for sharing

 

[99lsWON]

those are some really cool old pictures casey. I love looking at old hot rod stuff like that.

thanks nick.

wow , your uncle terry looks just like your grandfather

he does. my dad does too. lol.


thanks for the cool words everyone. glad you like them.

 

[chevelledave]

very cool pics ...you should have them transfered to a digital format and make some large prints ..maybe do a poster or two for your garage... would also make awsome christmas cards...

 

[4 cam tbird]

Those pictures are sweet. Thanks for sharing. Do you know if he only raced in Michigan or did he travel around a bit more? I noticed he was racing against dudes from Memphis in the one news article, though it said that race was in Michigan. I mostly asked because of the picture from Sunset Speedway. I'm sure there have been a lot of Sunset Speedways in a lot of places but that was a pretty popular dirt track in Nebraska before it got over taken by development.
Edit: http://www.waterwinterwonderland.com/autoracing.aspx?id=1796&type=9 Guess that answers the question. Google ftw.

 

[Joe]

Cool!

 

[502SS]

Now those are some badass pictures right there!

 

[99lsWON]

thanks again everyone.

as far as i know he stayed in michigan. but i would not rule out traveling. it wouldnt surprise me at all. that track is actually not far from my house. well, whats left of it. i was thinking about going out there one of these days and taking some pics.

 

[slideways]

thanks again everyone.

as far as i know he stayed in michigan. but i would not rule out traveling. it wouldnt surprise me at all. that track is actually not far from my house. well, whats left of it. i was thinking about going out there one of these days and taking some pics.

Where exactly is it at Casey?

 

[NOAVG5.0]

Very cool thanks!!!!

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

Keep them in a safe place. That's awesome to have!!