32 replies to this topic

[Dr_Dirt]

Here you go Walt.

 

http://www.gantdaily...ayton-c-husted/

[714d]

http://obituaries.ex...bile=0b00375452

Dirt beat me to it.

Edited by 714d, 15 October 2015 - 07:58 PM.

[Walt Wimer]

Much Thanx guys!!!!

 

Walt

[WALLACE1]

Thought I would share my "Clate" story;

A bunch of guys standing around after the races are over, several of them complaining about the car swallowing crater that develops in turns 3&4 on a weekly basis and why something can't be done to fix it. Clate speaks up and says he's never had any trouble with that because he has something in his car that eliminates the problems caused by the hole. When someone asks what that would be? Clate looks him the eye and without a hint of a smile says "I call it a steering wheel and if you learn how to use it that hole won't cause you anymore problems."

[ramey36]

Clate's memorial service was a who's who of racers and former racers. I'm sure Daniel and Jane and Spencer appreciate all the folks who stopped by.

 

I didn't realize Clate's airborne service to our country. That is so cool and fits Clate perfectly.

 

RIP buddy

[Walt Wimer]

There will be a story in AARN this week.  Thanx to those who provided me with his obit.  My favorite memory is when he took his dirt track car to Sharon and beat the top runners on pavement back in 1971!!

 

GOOD RACING!!!

 

Walt

[cats442]

I just saw on a site called remember when racing that Clate won his very first asphalt race at Sharon in a chevelle on August 29, 1968.  I'm pretty sure when he won in 1971 it was in the blue camero he ran that year.  Great memories Walt.

[Walt Wimer]

Cats442..............Sharon wasn't paved until 1971!!  So the 1968 win would have been on dirt!!

 

GOOD RACING!!!

 

Walt

[714d]

I don't remember the source, but I read Sharon '71 was his first asphalt win. When did his dirt career start? I couldn't find much info on that, other than a list of some of his bigger wins. Also, any idea how many feature wins total dirt/paved?

[cats442]

Cats442..............Sharon wasn't paved until 1971!!  So the 1968 win would have been on dirt!!

 

GOOD RACING!!!

 

Walt

Walt, the site must have their years all mixed up.  Also, had Blackie Watt and Bob Wearing having 28 and 25 wins in late models.  Pretty sure that was early 70's too.  I just Googled Clate Husted and that was the first site that came up.

[cats442]

I don't remember the source, but I read Sharon '71 was his first asphalt win. When did his dirt career start? I couldn't find much info on that, other than a list of some of his bigger wins. Also, any idea how many feature wins total dirt/paved?

I remember my Dad taking me to the 1/4 mile Clearfield and Houtzdale speedways in the very early 60's to watch Clate.  The Clearfield Progress did a story on him I am guessing the late 70's. (I have it in a box somewhere) And Clate guessed he had over 200 feature wins then.

[Walt Wimer]

I checked the National Speedway Directory to be sure of my date for the Sharon paving, so seems no question of that.  In 1971 I was laid off work for a while due to a strike by the Union guys and that summer I went up to Sharon quite often on Sundays.  As I remember it, the Camaro Clate was running at the time was yellow with blue numbers.....#23.    He had 38 Modified wins at six different tracks, most, if not all, in the J. Merle Smith #72 cars.  He won 70 Late Model races at the Clearfield track, split right down the middle between dirt and asphalt. I don't have an overall Late Model total, but guess it to be over 100. I don't know when he started, but his photo was in an old Blanket Hill book from the mid-60s.  He had a little cut down of sorts that I think had a six-cylinder engine.  I think he ran that car at the old Houtzdale track but I doubt any results exist from that track!!   I think it was already closed when I started keeping records in 1968.

 

GOOD RACING!!!

 

Walt 

[frnky1]

Here's a few pics I found of the old cars and Clate. My favorite story: Clate loved extended lap races. He told me to have the car at the finish. He never showed what he had until the end. Push the other drivers to use up their tires and car, and beat them to the checker he'd advise.

Mark Frankhouser

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