Bob Mackey Photo Courtesy of John Rock and Bobby Castine
Bob poses with what must be one of his first cars.
Bob Bruno
Racing Teacher,
Racing Town Supervisor, etc., etc.
Melvin "Bob" Bruno, of Schuyler Falls, New York was having a good enough
year in the early 1960's to earn his photo on the cover of NASCAR'S monthly
national newsletter. As a youngster growing up in Proctor, Vermont - too far
away to see Bruno run - that was my only image of him until I was old enough to
get to see him at Airborne Park Speedway, and possibly a few far flung places
likes Otter Creek Speedway and Fonda.
Bruno was a rarity in his time - a college -educated local stock car driver, who
also was involved heavily in local politics. Bruno could have played
professional ball; but, instead he chose to teach school, race, and become a
supervisor [ a pretty important position in the New York scheme of things].
Bob's career lasted for decades [probably longer than his baseball career would
have], and he is still highly - regarded when he visits Airborne Speedway today.
Although he drove for a number of owners and teams, Bruno's name will be forever
linked to car owner Vic Wolfe, in whose immaculate white #66's Bruno had most of
his success.
Bob Mackey Photo Courtesy of John Rock and Bobby Castine
Bob poses with what must be one of his
first cars.
PRE_WOLFE ERA
 Bob Mackey Photo Courtesy of John Rock and Bobby Castine Bob with the 000, a familiar early Airborne car. |
 Bob Mackey Photo Courtesy of John Rock and Bobby Castine Bob tried his hand at the McGee/ Bridges MB2 |
 Bob Mackey Photo Courtesy of John Rock and Bobby Castine the 11, possibly with Bob at the wheel, leads a heat. |
THE_WOLFE ERA
 Bob Mackey Photo Courtesy of John Rock and Bobby Castine Bob in an early version of the 66 in Victory Lane with his family. |
 NASCAR Record Book Bob got noticed by NASCAR in 1962 |
 Bob Mackey Photo Courtesy of John Rock and Bobby Castine The early Wolfe car at speed, Airborne backstretch. |
 Bob Mackey Photo Courtesy of John Rock and Bobby Castine A pose with the early Wolfe coupe. |
|
 Bob Mackey Photo Courtesy of John Rock and Bobby Castine In the pits with a later Wolfe coupe. Might have been a Studebaker. |
Bob Mackey Photo Courtesy of John Rock and Bobby Castine
Somewhere in his career, Bob was brave
enough to try a sprint car.
This baby looks kinda homemade, eh? Look how close your arm is to that
tire !
 Bob Mackey Photo Courtesy of John Rock and Bobby Castine The famous Vic Wolfe sedan. |
 NASCAR Record Book Bob leads NASCAR National Champion Bill Wimble. |
 Courtesy of Mike Watts The famous Vic Wolfe sedan became even "famouser" when it notched a rare Fonda win. Few outsiders won at Fonda. |
 Bob Mackey Photo Courtesy of John Rock and Bobby Castine Bob awards a trophy to another competitor. |
|
 Bob Mackey Photo Courtesy of John Rock and Bobby Castine A portrait |
Bob Mackey Photo Courtesy of
John Rock and Bobby Castine
Bob and Vic didn't always have things
go well. Here the crew tried to figure out
why the car stopped in the middle of a race.
Ladabouche Photo
The restored Vic Wolfe modified
pavement Pinto. What's the clue it's restored ?
They didn't have Coke Zero when this thing ran.
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