[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

I think I've got it now, Bob: "Feb. 20, 1959 -- Shorty Rollins wins the first stock car race at the new Daytona International Speedway, a 100-mile qualifying event for convertibles entered in the Daytona 500."

Here is another extremely tough one for you, Lefty or anyone. It's verifiable on the net but you have to really search it out.

Which driver who competed in the first Daytona 500 had ties to the Chicago mob? This driver was a multiple track champion at a Chicago area track and was known to be involved in the taking, stripping and reselling of automobile. He was murdered in the late 60's and his corpse was found in a burnt out wreck.

Good luck.

[Lefty Noob]

Oh man... not a clue. I'll keep looking, though.

[LSC9901]

I've got all I can do to find a list of 1959 Daytona drivers. Can't even find it on NASCAR.COM

[TN_Gal]

Will someone please answer this... I spent hours online and am getting nothing....even checked Chicago Tribune archives.... aaaaargh..

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by TN_Gal

Will someone please answer this... I spent hours online and am getting nothing....even checked Chicago Tribune archives.... aaaaargh..

OK... But you'll have to so a minor bit of digging. Google Raceway Park and Blue Island.

[TN_Gal]

Where the heck is Google Raceway Park??? I cannot find anything on it....

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by TN_Gal

Where the heck is Google Raceway Park??? I cannot find anything on it....

I think Bob meant use google to search for raceway park..... TN are you feeling ok?

[BringBackWilkesboro]

Bud Koehler!!!!!!

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by BringBackWilkesboro

Bud Koehler!!!!!!

Can't be him. He lived well into his 80's

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by BringBackWilkesboro

Bud Koehler!!!!!!

Nope, but but raced against him, although they weren't exactly friends.

In the Stock Car Racing Encylopedia, this driver is listed as: Racing Hometown: Blue Island, IL
Born: 1/22/1922
Died: 6/17/1971 Declared missing after disappearing at the hands of mafia agents

I'll give you the name and links and some personal insight this evening. I have an annual physical today (Ouch!)

[Lefty Noob]

Think I've found it. Is the answer BOB PRONGER?
http://www.kalracing.com/Autoracing/..._Biography.htm

[TN_Gal]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Think I've found it. Is the answer BOB PRONGER?
http://www.kalracing.com/Autoracing/..._Biography.htm

I think you got it there Lefty (thank God)...will need Bob to confirm...but good going

PS---- I know what Google is...but I actually did my first search for Google raceway, then realized my error....I felt like such a tard I wanted to share it with y'all........

[Lefty Noob]

Boy, I sure hope that's right, TN_Gal... I REALLY don't want to look any more!

[LSC9901]

I think Bob Pronger also lived beyond the sixties. I looked him up and found as much info as I could. I'm baffled on this one. Good job Bob. Thanks for the headache !!!

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Think I've found it. Is the answer BOB PRONGER?
http://www.kalracing.com/Autoracing/..._Biography.htm

CORRECT-OMUNDO! I AM VERY IMPRESSED!

You got the primary link to the story, but here are some more:
http://forums.atlasf1.com/showthread.php?
Scroll down to the article entered by Buford. (5 Jul 05)

http://public.fotki.com/racewaypark/raceway_park_late-1/viewcomments.html
Scroll down to the first Cartman figure. The guy with the tie on is Bob

http://www.racewayparkhistory.com/TrackChampions.html
A few pictures and some of Bob's driving history here.

Now, in the words of Paul Harvey: "Here's the rest of the story:

I lived in the Chicago area from '62 to '69, when I went back in the Navy, and I spent A LOT of time at the local tracks. In '67, '68 and part of '69 I knew Pronger from being in the pits at Raceway Park. NOT A CLOSE FRIEND; merely a very good driver I met and talked to on occasion.

To the best of my knowledge he was connected slightly to the Chicago mob. I don't visualize him as being a made man, a soldier, or anything like that, but he never seemed to have regular employment but he always had a wad of money on him, and his partner in the car, (Tony Ruolo I believe his name was) was definately connected. He was a close associate of "Skinny" Jenin, the owner of Raceway. Jenin was definately a made guy, in my opinion.

Bob's equipment was the best. In 1967 he came out early in the season with a '67 Chevelle which was rumored to have come out of the Holman-Moody shop in N.C. (I know, H-M was a Ford operation, but they made chassis for several people)

His driving "uniform" was a trip. This was before the mandatory driving uniforms and most drivers drove in mechanic's shirts or tee-shirts. Pronger ALWAYS drove in a white shirt and a black necktie.

Pronger was the kind of guy you might want to know but stay away from hanging out with.

As I stated, I left Chicago in '69 and never went back until I retired in '90. I saw Bud Koehler (the winningest driver at Raceway Park and an acquiantence I could chat with). Bob's name came up in the conversation and he told me the "word" was that Bob ran afoul of the law in '71 and he, and two others were going to cop a deal. The next thing anyone knew was that he was among the missing, then...? The authorities were saying he was a unidentifiable body found (a) in a burnt out car trunk, (b) in a Griffith,IN motel room, (c) under a mattress in a vacant lot (take your pick),

The whole thing makes Junior Johnson's moonshining, and Shane Hmiel's dope smoking look kinda tame, doesn't it?

Anyway, Lfty, YOU DA MAN!!!