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 Gary Nephew
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.

Bob Mackey Photo Courtesy of
John Rock
Bob awards a trophy
top Nelson Chappell
in1959.
Bob Mackey Photo Courtesy of
John Rock
Bob, at speed, with the
000 at Airborne.		  

 

ALLIE SWEARS ERA


Mike Russo Photo
Bob would sometimes
drive for Allie Swears
at Fonda.


Bob Bruno Collection
Courtesy of Jack Rugar
and John Rock
At speed, in Allie's
coupe, at Airborne.
Bob Bruno Collection
Courtesy of Jack Rugar
and John Rock
Bob winning a race
at Fonda with Allie's
coupe.
Bob Bruno Collection
Courtesy of Jack Rugar
and John Rock
Bob winning a race
at somewhere with Allie's
coupe.

 


Bob Mackey Photo Courtesy of John Rock
Bob was supposed to drive Allie Swears 1955 sportsman car at Daytona, but he could not secure
permission to be gone from his teaching job. So, Dick Nephew got the ride. This is Allie, with the car
at the garage in Daytona.

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.


Photo Source Unknown
Bob with an 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
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 later Wolfe coupe
with tuned headers.
Bob Mackey Photo Courtesy of
John Rock and Bobby Castine
A portrait
 

Bob Mackey Photo Courtesy of
Brian Branham
Bob in Victory Lane at
Airborne circa 1962.
Bob Mackey Photo Courtesy of
John Rock
Bob receives an award
from car owner Vic Wolfe.
Bob Mackey Photo Courtesy of
Mike Watts
Bob, at Airborne, after
the races, with fans. Flagger
Art Prairie is in foreground.

Paul Michaud Photo
A later Wolfe coupe.		    


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.


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 kind of homemade, eh? Look how close his arm is to that
tire !


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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