Post by dragnews on Jul 21, 2008 19:34:02 GMT -5
Joe Carrell or (Pop pa Joe to us) shown center in above photo.
Is no doubt the true father of Ardmore Dragway. Yes he is Ricky's dad, but thats only half the story. In 1955 Joe was one of the original 10 Slow Pokes car club members that formed Ardmore's first drag strip. Shown above with Joe are Bob Fast and Bob Bishop. These three guys convinced a young state senator named Tom Tipps in giving them some land to build a drag strip at todays downtown airport location. In 1959 Joe and wife Glenda, realized the old dirt strip was no longer safe for the speeds cars were obtaining. In 1960 Joe with partners Dennis Lavers and front man J.R. Shaw formed Ardmore Timing Association and moved the strip to its present day location. In 1970 Joe sold the track and retired to golf cart repair. But on Sundays you can still find him hanging out with pal Jim Ragland and cruising the pits making sure Rick and Brenda are running the track correctly.
So the next time you see a white Astro van Cruising the pits,
stop and shake the hand of Joe Carrell the father of Ardmore Dragway.....Till next time see you at the races! Rob
Things were a lot simpler when joe ran the track.