More drag racing history

My story in the Review-Journal’s Wednesday editions on the history of Southern Nevada drag racing resulted some great calls and emails from those heavily involved in that era.

If you didn’t read “Racing through history at 320 mph” in the printed R-J you can find it at lvrj.com/nhra.

Here are some comments readers shared:

EMAIL FROM LARRY HORTEN

Just for your info file Stardust Raceway was built and operated by the Stardust Hotel. I was drag strip manager for the hotel and the offices were in the maintenance department and headed by Leo Morgolian.

After they sold the property to Pardee I purchased the (drag racing) equipment from the hotel and leased the drag strip from Pardee until they were getting heat from homeowners in their Spring Valley subdivision. I then represented a group that purchased all the fencing and guardrail from Pardee to build the Speedrome which I managed for them the first year.

After they closed the track a number of operators ran the strip until Richie Clyne made arrangements to purchase the land from the city and incorporated it into Las Vegas Motor Speedway. I worked for Clyne as general manager until the sale to Speedway Motorsports. I have been to all of the tracks in your article and they were just as you stated. A lot of great history of racing here in Las Vegas. Keep up the great work.

Larry also noted that a photo with the story included his brother, Loren Horten, who was the Stardust starter and is standing behind Don Garlits' Top Fuel dragster. Note Loren is wearing a mask to make it easier to breath a day’s worth of nitro fumes.

CONVERSATION WITH LEE DANE

Lee wants us to know that he is standing behind the dragster in the other old photo taken in 1956 at Vegas Drive Dragstrip. Lee also owned the dragster pictured that was driven by Jesus Molina.

Lee, 74, said the dragster used chassis rails from a 1926 or ’27 car and was powered by a Ford Flathead with four 97 Stromberg carburetors. He ran on 25 percent nitro and reached a top speed of 126 mph.

Here are names for nine of the 11 men pictured with the car (two were only partially visible): From left: Bill Clayeaux, Fred Gibbs, Lee Dane, Duane Luttig, driver Jesus Molina, Cecil Fredi, John Garcia, Granby Hanley and Daryl Miller.

Special thanks to Cecil for use of the photo and a lot of information.

CONVERSATION WITH NORM WILLEY

Norm, 79, wanted us to know that drag races were first held in the 1940s after World War II. He said Nevada State Police (now the Nevada Highway Patrol) would close part of Boulder Highway every other Sunday, and the starting line was across from where they would build the Showboat.

Norm graduated from Las Vegas High School in 1950 and used to race 1936 Ford coupe.

EMAIL FROM BYRON HUMES

I just want to let you know that the name of the road that you call Vegas Valley was called Vegas Drive. I was born and raised here in Las Vegas and lived right near where the races were held. There was nothing out there but wide-open desert all the way to the mountains. We lived out there with no electricity or running water. There were big holes where they dug gravel out. This was done by Wells Cargo. They are the ones that paved Vegas drive out there for their gravel trucks. I used to ride my horse over the to watch the action. Anyway, I really enjoyed you article. Keep up the good work.

If you have more stories, send them to me at jwolf@reviewjournal.com.