Anchorage Car Racing Memories

Racing on the old Seward Highway and the Alaska Speedway on Debarr and Bragaw.

In the photo above is Hank Langman at the Alaska Speedway

During the week, Anchorage racecar drivers and mechanics tuned up the motors and suspension on their cars to get them ready for a Sunday afternoon of fun and thrills at Anchorage oval tracks.

Drivers included Don Howell, Bud Borders, Blackie Keister, David “Fuzzy” Sprinkle, Hank Langman, John Delozier, Oren Johnson and many others.

Do You Remember the 8 1/2 Car?

Sam Delozier wrote this about his dad, John Delozier.

“My dad was John Delozier, and he owned a towing business in anchorage called Alaska towing and Wrecking.

I grew up in that wrecking yard.

I was just a dirt junkyard kid but the fun I had and the memories I have are unforgettable.

A gentleman wrote an article about his father, Bud Borders, who was a stock car racer. I knew Bud well. He and my dad raced together. Bud's car number at one time was 8. My dad wanted that number, but Bud wouldn't give it up.

So, dad took 00 and called it the lazy 8. He later took 8 1/2.”

Sam

BONUS

Read Sam’s story, “Just a Junkyard Kid” and enjoy.

You can Share all This Speed and Excitement

Yes, it is more fun when you share. And when you do, it will be a race to see who gets the checkered flag when they click on this Anchorage Car Racing edition.

To share this edition, click on the following link:

It Could be Dangerous Out There

Mike of Anchorage Memories remembers when his dad put the “pedal to the metal” one Sunday afternoon.

“One Sunday, they had a mechanic's race and my dad agreed to be the driver for the race car he worked on. My sister Anna and brother Tom and I were excited and proud, but our mom, Louise Dougherty, was very nervous.

As the cars drove a lap around the track and the flagman jumped into the air waving the green flag, all the cars started speeding down the track with a thunderous roar, and it was so exciting. There was our dad, racing like the wind down that dirt track on the old Seward Highway.

But about the 3rd or 4th lap, dad was in a collision as he went into the second turn, and he ended up skidding off the track, crashing through the wooden fence and disappearing on the other side.

Our family was terrified.

Was dad OK? Would they need to use the stand-by ambulance to transport him to the hospital?

As we all sat there for what seemed like forever, watching our mom about to jump out of her skin, someone by the fence gave the sign that our dad was alright.

Later, dad made his way up into the grandstands. He was walking with a limp as he made his way to us. Mom gave dad a big hug and then said, “Ray Dougherty, no more of that. You can fix the car, but no more racing.” Dad agreed.”

Working in the Pit Could be Dangerous

“The first Sunday that Hank Langman raced his new car, Mike of Anchorage Memories, his brother Tom and friend Paul handed Hank the tools he asked for as he went about prepping the car for its first race.

When it was race time, we all watched intently as our race car went through it's paces with Hank ending up somewhere in the last third of the cars. At the end of the race, Hank pulled the car into the pits and said he needed to adjust the suspension.

While were were all concentrating on our race car, another race was going strong.

Suddenly, a car went out of control on the track and came skidding into the pits, throwing gravel everywhere. Tom and I and Paul yelled at Hank that a car was about to crash into us. Hank quickly came out from under the car while Tom and I and Paul took off running for our lives.

Someone across the track had a camera and took the perfect picture at just the right time.

There was the car crashing into the pits, with dirt, and gravel flying high into the air. And there was Hank watching. As for me, Tom and Paul, we were caught by the camera in mid-flight, at a dead run, getting as far away as our legs would carry us.”

Mike

BONUS

You can enjoy the whole story in “Anchorage Race Track Memories” by Michael Dougherty of Anchorage Memories.

Racing Snow Machines on Asphalt?

In the photo above is David “Fuzzy” Sprinkle.

Anchorage Memories caught up with Anchorage racing legend David “Fuzzy” Sprinkle and this is an except from his story.

Anchorage Memories – Mike and Mary:

How did you end up drag racing snow machines? Was that on a regular drag strip?

“Fuzzy” Sprinkle:

We didn't race them regular, but we decided one day in the summer we wanted to. So, we went to the Polar Drag Way in Palmer, and we were the first ones to run snow machines on the asphalt in the summer.

BONUS

Get the entire story, take a look at “Fuzzy” Sprinkle; Anchorage Racing Legend” and enjoy.

Note: Read the “Fuzzy” Sprinkle story above, and you’ll learn how he got the nickname “Fuzzy”.

The photo above is from the 1962 Fur Rendezvous stack car races.

Joe Spenard Started it All

In the photo above:

Joe Spenard is credited with bringing the first automobile to Anchorage in 1916.

It was an REO truck. He also brought the 1915 Ford Model T, pictured above, which became the town’s first taxi.

From Our North Stars (that’s you)

From our Anchorage Movie Theatre edition

“I remember watching a Planet of the Apes 5 movie marathon at Fireweed Theater. Also, being one of the first in line to see Return of the Jedi at the Polar Twin Theater and waiting in line for 6 hours on opening day. Good memories.”

Mark

Photo courtesy of Cindy Pendleton

In the photo above is an early 1960s picture of the mother of Alaska moviemaker, Bob Pendleton, enjoying some time with a Polar Bear at Jonas Brothers.

Photo courtesy of Cindy Pendleton

In the photo above is Brewster’s owner, Charles Brewster, wowing them in a 4th of July parade in Anchorage.

In Touch

In the photo above is the auditorium of the 4th Avenue Theatre. Our movie palace.

What are your fond memories of this much loved movie theatre?

Did you enjoy going to the races in this edition of the Anchorage Memories Club?

Send us your comments, or take a moment to say, “I loved the 4th Avenue Theatre”. You can contact us by replying to this email, or you can Contact Us right now.

Until Next Time

Mike and Mary

Anchorage Memories Club