Gallery | 2015

top of page

This site was designed with the

website builder. Create your website today.Start Now

Old Farts Bench Racers Club

PHOTOS FROM OUR PAST REUNIONS and LUNCHEONS

Circle Grill Restaurant .. photo by Don Cook 3701 N Buckner Blvd Dallas, Texas (214) 327-4140 Official home for all of the " Old Farts Bench Racers Club " Reunion Luncheons	Old Farts Reunion Wed. Jan.23, 2013 L to R .. Jerry Murphree .. Ken Murphree .. Don Nixon .. Ray Welnack .. Jay Medlin .. sitting on left Jerry " Fuzzy " Nichols .. sitting Right in front Fudgeo Lunday .. Ed Morris .. Shirley Medlin .. standing Right .. Frank Medlin ( R.I.P ) March 5, 2015 .. Photo taken by Santa Bob McMasters	3rd Luncheon Reunion 3-27-13 3rd gathering of the " Old Farts Bench Racers Club " This is just a few of those attending. .. L to R ... front row .. Black Ball Cap ..Jerry " Fuzzy " Nichols .. Blue Shirt .. Fudgeo Lunday .. L to R Center Row .. David Shappard .. Ed " the Historian " Morris .. Santa Bob McMasters .. the " Ultimate Fan " Paul David Sanders Jr. .. Bobby " the Legend " Marshall ......L to R Back Row ... the Honorable Roy Pierson .. Tim " Mr Excitement " Gibbins .. Circle Grill Restaurant ..
4th Luncheon Reunion Sunday 3/19/14 front row L to R .. Santa Bob McMasters .. Corky Harris .. Terry Moore .. 2nd row L to R .. Jay Medlin .. Ray Welnack .. Billy Rivers .. Bert Kirkham .. Ricky Randall .. 3rd row L to R .. Randy Reeves .. Dwight Rivers .. far right Marc Madison .. and wife Tammie Madison .. John Fry .. 4th row .. Diane Sanders .. David Sanders .. Ed Morris .. Steve Perry .. Earl Mallet .. Jerry " Fuzzy " Nichols ... not seen in photo Don Nixon .. Fudgeo Lunday and Charles Faulkner who left before group photo	" Benny Morris " Reunion Sun. 6/8/14 Special Edition "Reunion Luncheon .. the return of Benny Morris to North Texas Sunday 6/8/14 Foreground the Announcer Mike Lane from North Texas Motor Speedway in Royce City and Thunderbird Speedway in Crandall and recently 85 Speedway in Ennis. Standing behind him is Benny Morris who owned Dirt Track Photography.. his company photographed at all our North Texas area Tracks and had booths to sell his pics and video's. Sitting to right is Perry Gonzales retired driver and long time flagman	" Benny Morris " Reunion Sun. 6/8/14 Right F to B Norman Martin .. Bert Kirkham .. Marc & Tammie Madison .. Jay & Frank Medlin .. Fran & Marvin Long standing in back L to R .. Steve Sickles .. Benito Greenlee .. Walter Beaty .. sitting left .. Dennis Smith .. Lanny & Beverly Edwards .. Ed Morris .. standing in brown Tom Loving .. Photo taken by Santa Bob McMasters
" Benny Morris " Reunion Sun. 6/8/14	" Benny Morris " Reunion Sun. 6/8/14 Standing front Ricky Randall .. sitting in black Jerry " Fuzzy " Nichols .. next to him sitting Tim Gibbins .. other notables stand in rear grey t-shirt is Kevin Webb .. sitting left front Perry Gonzales .. also standing in black Daryl Milligan	" Benny Morris " Reunion Sun. 6/8/14 L to R standing Steven Janek .. sitting in blue David Penny .. Tom Loving .. J.B. Cook ..standing in red Lanny Edwards the owner and promoter of Devil's Bowl Speedway .. with camera sitting .. Roy Pierson .. standing in rear in black Walter Beaty and Norman Martin
" Benny Morris " Reunion Sun. 6/8/14 Walter Beaty and Norman Martin .. Walter raced late models from mid 70's until retiring and Norman raced sprint cars for 3 decades before retiring.	" Benny Morris "Reunion Sun. 6/8/14 Max Thomas and Daryl Milligan	" Benny Morris " Reunion Sun. 6/8/14 Benito Greenlee .. long time sprint car racer ... and has not changed or aged a bit ... looks like he did in the 60's and 70's
" Benny Morris" Reunion Sun. 6/8/14 L to R .. Jerry " Fuzzy " Nichols .. Benito Greenlee .. Tim Gibbins .. Santa Bob McMasters ... all former drivers and all raced multiple Dirt Tracks	" Benny Morris " Reunion Sun. 6/8/14 Paul David Sanders Jr and his wife Diane Sanders. ...Diane is the Old Farts Bench Racers Club Administrative Secretary. This happy couple is the ultimate Dirt Track Fans.	6th Reunion Luncheon Sat. 2/21/15 Beverly and Lanny Edwards owners and promoters since 1972 of the Devil's Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas the only 5/8 mile super Dirt Track in North Texas. Norman Martin retired sprint car racer sitting to the right

6th Reunion Luncheon Sat. 2/21/15 Beverly and Lanny Edwards owners and promoters of the Devil's Bowl Speedway North Texas only 5/8 Circle Dirt Track. They purchased the facility in 1972 just a few years after it was re-located between the 1966 and 1967 season. 1967 it reopened for the first season at its present location. Devil's Bowl is the Home of the WoO ( World of Outlaws ) with the conception and inaugural first ever race event on March 18, 1978.	6th Reunion Luncheon Sat. 2/21/15 James Bryant currenty is the track promoter of the 1/4 mile circle dirt track .. Super Bowl Speedway in Greenville, Texas	6th Reunion Luncheon Sat. 2/21/15 WOW .. Four of the most recognized and popular folks in our sport. L to R Earl Mallet who wheeled the #18 Sprint Cars .. Teri Gibbins Moore who's father was a pioneer in North Texas racing the famous #4 sprinter ( Olin Gibbins ) then passed it on to his son .. Teri's brother Tim Gibbins .. Terry Moore legendary driver shoeing many Sprinters from his families #57 to the Bellmire #17t and many others .. Richard Milligan another legend who drove many famous sprinters including the Bellmire # 17t.
6th Reunion Luncheon Sat. 2/21/15 Left is Perry Gonzales .. retired racer and retired flagman .. flagging at several local North Texas tracks in his career. Right is Tommy McCain .. retired racer then went on to be one of the best push truck drivers ... pushing off the big horse powered sprint cars.	6th Reunion Luncheon Sat. 2/21/15 L to R .. Paul David Sanders Jr. ( Fan and Racing Enthusiast ) .. Bert Kirkham car owner .. builder .. mechanic .. and has been pit man for many driver at many different tracks throughout the years .. " Crazy " Charlie Davidson .. Driver / Owner and currently shoeing the #2 Winged Modified in the TWMA ( Texas Winged Modified Association )	6th Reunion Luncheon Sat. 2/21/15 Frank Hobbs is one of our 5 charter members and has been involved in racing for years helping many drivers on many classes of cars at many tracks. also seen in photo .. rear view of Santa Bob McMasters
6th Reunion Luncheon Sat. 2/21/15 Standing left Don Nixon another of our 5 charter members. He and his Father owned cars in the 70's and early 80's. center Randy Reeves .. been around this sport his whole life .. owner.. fabricator .. driver .. Ed " the Historian " Morris who is credited for putting the 5 charter members together for the 1st lunch and is a treasure trove of knowledge of our sport from the 40's on and how he got the nickname.	6th Reunion Luncheon Sat. 2/21/15 Jerry " Fuzzy " Nichols .. 3 time retired .. 1. pit man .. 2. driver and 3. postman. Fuzzy is also co-organizer along with Santa Bob McMasters for our next Old Farts Bench Racers Club Reunion Luncheon ( Special Edition ) Thur. 3/23/15 " Honoring " Charlie Bellmire who is a legend in our sport .. owning, building and wrenching the famous # 17t Sprint Car for several decades before retiring. Fuzzy drove and pitted for Charlie in the 70's.	6th Reunion Luncheon Sat. 2/21/15 Santa Bob McMasters also one of the 5 Charter Members and Co-Founder of the Club with Ed Morris. Owner Driver from Late Model Stock Cars to Super Modifieds to Hot Stocks to Limited Modifieds to Street Stocks. Retired in 1999 and is the Event Organizer for all the clubs events and is putting together all the Reunion Luncheons. Now a Professional Santa Claus with 5 years experience and graduate of 2 Professional Santa Schools.
STEMS #14 Marc Madison Didn't have a great photo of Marc Madison so here is one from the Autorama in Dallas. This is Marc's current full time ride and is maintained and driven by him. Marc is also one of the 5 Charter Members of the Club. Marc has been racing since his teens winning in every class of cars in North Texas and on many tracks. He even went big car racing in the NASCAR Busch Series for a while.

Gallery Below is of the Charlie Bellmire Reunion Dinner 4-23-15

Bellmire Reunion Dinner~ His Journey Charlie Bellmire and nurse Stacy Earnst waiting to board their plane to Texas. This trip made possible by the generosity of Bruce and Debbie Griffith ... Mr Bruce Griffith you Sir and wife Debbie are the most gracious and generous Folks with the most passionate hearts the size of Texas. You and Debbie will forever be in our hearts. ..... Photo by Stacy	Bellmire Reunion Dinner Thur.4/23 Stacy Earnst who is Charlies nurse and traveled to Texas with him. Charlie asked if his Texas friends would vote Stacy a Texas Girl. After much response .. it is official the I's have it the motion carries. I Santa do solemnly swear and here by declare with the power invested in me on this 28th day of the 4th month in the year 2015 A.D. in the State of Texas the people of The State of Texas's declares ... Stacy Earnst ... a genuine bonafide as a " Texas Girl " .. see the T-Shirt.	Bellmire Reunion Dinner Thur. 4/23 Santa Bob McMasters and Marc Madison who was Masters of Ceremony for the event seen here presenting the plaque " Honoring " Charlie and his Father Herman " Pappy " Bellmire ( RIP ) for their Lifetime of Dedication and Service to the Dallas Area Racing Family.
Bellmire Reunion Dinner Thur. 4/23 The plaque the Old Farts Bench Racers Club presented to Charlie Bellmire " Honoring " him and his Father Herman " Pappy " Bellmire ( RIP ) for their Lifetime of Dedication and Service to the Dallas Area Racing Family.	Bellmire Reunion Dinner Thur. 4/23 L to R down front .. Ray Welnack .. Tim Gibbins .. center row .. Bill White .. Shane Carson .. Charlie Bellmire .. Terry Moore .. back row .. Stormin Norman Martin .. the Arkansas Traveler Johnny Suggs .. Marc Madison .. Richard Milligan .. Bill Thrasher .. Tracy Rodden .. This is 11 of Charlie's 23 drivers. In this group are ( several track champions ) ... years of experience and many A-Feature wins throughout their careers and some of the greatest drivers to wheel a Dirt Race Car.	Bellmire Reunion Dinner Thur. 4/23 The gentleman in the straw hat Mr Bruce Griffith is the whole reason all of this was possible. Bruce bought his first Sprint Car from Charlie who had got a new car and was selling his old car and Bruce knew the history of the famous Bellmire # 17 Sprinter. Bruce and wife Debbie flew Charlie and nurse Stacy in for 4 days all expenses paid for the Reunion Dinner and the ( WoO ) World of Outlaw Show at the Devil's Bowl Speedway.
Bellmire Reunion Dinner Thur. 4/23 Left side .. front to back .. Jannel Smith .. Tim Gibbins .. Dana Reichenau Mallet .. Teri Gibbins Moore .. right side up front .. Kevin Stong .. Angela McMasters Cortes .. Carol McMasters aka :( Mrs Claus ) .. Ray Rodden .. Helen Rodden	Bellmire Reunion Dinner Thur. 4/23 Beverly Edwards ( Devil's Bowl Speedway ) and Johnny Suggs ( The Arkansas Traveler ) in deep discussion. Beverly and husband Lanny Edwards owners of the Devil's Bowl since 1972 and Johnny started his racing career in 1959 at the age of 21 and is still actively driving Sprint Cars. .... Photo courtesy of Bert Kirkham	Bellmire Reunion Dinner Thur. 4/23 Lanny Edwards .. Beverly Edwards .. Bill White .. Johnny Suggs .. Paul White .. ( Bill's son ) .. Bill White was Charlies 2nd driver. Bill garnered twenty championships and over four hundred feature wins in his forty year racing career.
Bellmire Reunion Dinner Thur. 4/23 Left to Right .. David Cloninger .. Bonnie Elam .. Mike Herring .. Jack Elam .. Charlie " Smiley " Sitton .. Former owner of Smiley's Racing Products along with the SST ( Sprint Series of Texas ) and current owner of Smiley Sitton's Outlaw Driving School. Jack and Bonnie are owners of J & J Racing Chassis .. Mike Herring currently drives a Sprint Car in the SST series and David is on Mike Herring's # 99 Sprint Car Team.	Bellmire Reunion Dinner Thur. 4/23 L to R .. Jerry " Fuzzy " Nichols .. Don Nixon .. Marc Madison ... Fuzzy pitted for Charlie for years .. Don and Marc are 2 of the 5 on the Racing Council and Charter Members.	Bellmire Reunion Dinner Thur. 4/23 Tom Loving .. ( back to camera ) .. left is Skip Wilson .. J.B. Cook .. David Penny .. Roger Archer. .. Tom was long time owner of White Rock Automotive and the # 6 Sprinter .. J.B. retired from driving Sprints and Supers and hired Skip to drive the # 65 Sprinter. David retired from Late Models after a successful career. Roger started in Sprinters at 26 and retired 22 years later. Roger has been owner / promoter of 85 Speedway in Ennis since 1995.
Bellmire Reunion Dinner Thur. 4/23 Front left .. Bert Kirkham .. Benito Greelee .. Standing in yellow .. " Crazy " Charlie Davidson .. behind him .. Ray Welnack talking to Norman Martin .. sitting to right .. Charlie " Smiley " Sitton	Bellmire Reunion Dinner Thur. 4/23 Murphree Brothers with Walter Beaty.... left is Jerry and right is Ken. The Murphree Bros. have been around a long time and are now restoring Sprint Cars and Super Modifieds and even Midgets ... Museum Restoration Quality work ... Walter has driven Late Models to Limited Modifieds and now helps his son Wally who is currently racing.	Bellmire Reunion Dinner Thur. 4/23 L to R Terry Moore .. Teri Gibbins Moore .. Sabrina Moore King ... Out of Charlie's 23 different drivers in 31 years Terry drove for Charlie the longest 8 seasons. Terry's wife Teri comes from a racing family for her father raced every track in North Texas the legendary Olin Gibbins and her brother Tim Gibbins followed in his footstep. Sabrina is Terry's sister.
Bellmire Reunion Dinner Thur. 4/23 Left is Rex Adrian .. center .. Tommy Johnson and backs turned is Jannel Smith and Tim Gibbins .... Rex races in the Texas Winged Modified Association driving the # 76 Winged Modified and Tommy retired from Sprint Cars.	Bellmire Reunion Dinner Thur. 4/23 Front is Aaron Burchett one of the announcer assistants KSP Speedway in Kennedale and at RPM Speedway in Crandall, Tx .. standing left is Santa Bob McMasters talking with Bruce Griffith .. sitting is Ron Norris and wife Diana Thrasher Norris .. Ron is the nephew of RW Norris ..Charlie's first driver and Diana the daughter of Bill Thrasher who won a championship driving for Charlie. Blue shirt is Charles Faulkner. In the caps right side of table Paul White his Father Bill White Legendary Driver	Bellmire Reunion Dinner Thur. 4/23 Left Dale Wester ... driver #12 Sprinters RaceSaver Series .. #12 Winged Modified in the Texas Winged Modified Association .. Center Jay Medlin .. carburetor specialist and engine tuner .. right closest to camera is Daryl Milligan .. brother to Richard Milligan who drove for Charlie for 3 seasons and their father Jim Milligan ( RIP ) was one of the greatest announcers in the Dirt Track Racing Community announcing at many of the North Texas area tracks for years.
Bellmire Reunion Dinner Thur. 4/23 David Penny and Bobby Huddleston Sprint Car Driver ... photo by Ally Gonzales	Bellmire Reunion Dinner Thur. 4/23 Tammy Allard Jones .. Tammy the daughter of Jimmy Allard who drove Sprints .. Super Modifieds and more before retiring and is the owner of Jimmy Allards Automotive Machine Shop building Allards Racing Engines in Ennis, Tx .	Bellmire Reunion Dinner Thur. 4/23 Danny Greenhaw and wife ...They owned Loop 12 Trim Shop and almost every car at the Old Bowl and the first few years of the New Bowl that raced in the 50's and 60's had loop 12 Trim Shop Interiors. Standing in background is Jesse Graham III .... 3rd generation Dirt Track Racer and car owners. His family goes all the way back to the early years of North Texas Dirt Track History. This man knows how to make a car fly.
Bellmire Reunion Dinner Thur. 4/23 Johnny Suggs and David Oliver ..Years of chassis and setups along with a few speed secrets along with lots of dirt track knowledge stored in those two heads ...... Bert Kirkham photo	Bellmire Reunion Dinner Thur. 4/23 Left Ray Welnack who started his racing career at the age of 16 and has raced in Sprint Cars for over 5 decades. Right is Perry Gonzales retired racer who went on to become flagman at several North Texas Dirt Tracks He has also retired from flagging....... Photo by Ally Gonzales	Bellmire Reunion Dinner Thur. 4/23 Lanny Edwards telling stories on Charlie Bellmire .. Left in back is Richard Milligan .. Daryl Milligan and Santa Bob McMasters ..... Photo by Bert Kirkham
Bellmire Reunion Dinner Thur. 4/23 Ray and Joanne Welnack .... photo by Ally Gonzales	Bellmire Reunion Dinner Thur. 4/23 Charlie watching Shane Carson showing Fuzzy one of his old Sprint Car T-Shirts. Shane started his auto racing career on Fri. 13, 1973 at the age of 18. His father Hall of Fame inductee Bud Carson who was the promoter at the State Fair Speedway in Oklahoma City. Shane has has a career driving almost everything with wheels including WoO ( World of Outlaws ). Also 2007 Sprint Car Hall of Fame inductee and has finished top 5 in half the races he has ever started. He has done it and done it well.	Bellmire Reunion Dinner Thur. 4/23 Left front is Jannel Smith in blue shirt is Earl Mallet who drove the # 18 Sprinter and his wife Dana Mallet .. Terry and his wife Teri Moore and Tammy Allard Jones .. on right in black is Randy Hamrick and his wife Lynn Hamrick .. Carol McMasters ( Mrs Claus ) Santa Bob McMasters wife .. Ray and Helen Rodden
Bellmire Reunion Dinner Thur. 4/23 The most beautiful young lady at the dinner was also the busiest. She was our name tag girl ... tirelessly going throughout the room passing out name tags to everyone as they arrived. She is quite the conversationalist and made many new friends. Some even tipped her for her efforts and she had a birthday the day before so they even gave her birthday money. Santa's Grand Daughter and little helper Jaida. Love you baby and Thank You for all your help.. Bert Kirkham on left Photo by Ally Gonzales	Bellmire Reunion Dinner Thur. 4/23 Charlie Bellmire holding framed photo of the #17t Sprinter that was presented to him by one of his drivers Marc Madison. He and Marc had been talking and Charlie mentioned that was the only chassis that he had no good photo of. Marc was Charlie's last driver before retiring in 1993 and Marc drove 2 seasons for Bellmire.	Bellmire Reunion Dinner Thur. 4/23 Front is Perry Gonzales .. with Santa Bob McMasters bench racing with the Legend Bill White and listening in is Bert Kirkham. We were all 3 captivated by Bill's Stories.

bottom of page