10th Annual Norwood Arena/New England Dragway South Reunions A Big Success
NORWOOD, MA — The recently held 10th Annual Norwood Arena/New England Dragway South Reunions at Bezema Motors on US Rt. 1 in Norwood, MA was a major success. The annual event drew the largest crowd ever of race drivers, race car owners, classic cars and race cars along with motorcycles as well as several collectible vendors. Trophies for top 12 vehicles as well as dash plaques were awarded to the owners.
Among the oval track drivers and car owners that turned out included; Daryl Stampfl of Norwood, Henry Stampfl of Plainville, Denny Stampfl of Foxborough, Bill Singersen of Norwood, Ed Gendreau of Medfield, Bill Statham of Sharon, Jack Lane, Jeff Horn of Ashland, Jack Malone of Needham, Joe Brady of Stoughton, Leo Cleary of Hanover. Also, 1970 Daytona 500 winner Pete Hamilton of Newton, George Savary of Westwood, Joe Kourafas of Randolph, Don McCollough of Walpole, Pete Desjardins of Wrentham, Jerry Capozzolli of Stoughton and multiple NASCAR Modified champion Bugs Stevens of Rehoboth as well as Jim Callahan of Medfield.
On the drag racing side, Ray Heliger of Little Compton, RI showed up with his King and Marshall AA Fuel Dragster as did multi-faceted Tom Dunn of Wrentham. Dunn was a drag racing star in the early days of drag racing before he turned to oval track action and built potent Modified machines piloted by Leo Cleary. Dunn also arranged to have one of his early model dragsters brought to the event. Also present was Al Sergini of Canton who worked his way up through the drag racing ranks up to the top of the sport with his Brute Force Funny car. Sergini won his share of NHRA Nationals during his career.
Also present was the NEAR Hall of Fame mobile vehicle maintained by the Pro 9 Motorsports Museum of Pawtucket, RI Two of the top vintage race car club presidents NEAR’s Al Fini and STARS Mary Lima were also present along with vintage race cars from both clubs.
What also made the event even more nostalgic was the presence of a 1963 Dodge Coronet convertible decked out Norwood Arena Speedway livery pace car which was restored and owned by Norwood native Brendan KIing. King and Jerry Kelleher, a former Norwood town Selectman, have also partnered up to bring to the public’s attention the Norwood Arena Movie. This documentary is all about the famed track, which operated from 1948 to 1972, will premier at the historic Norwood Theatre, one night only, on Sunday, September 20 before it hits the Film Festival Circuit.
Sources: Lou Modestino