JACKIE

Anyone who knows - or ever knew - Jackie Peterson has to agree on two things: he's a hell of a nice guy and he simply wasn't afraid enough to keep himself out of hospitals as a young race car driver and heavy equipment operator. Remarkable, at around 84 years old, Jackie hops on a bike and pedals over a mile to have coffee every day, and he makes almost every race at Airborne Speedway. He has lived his last several years, having almost no mementos of his long racing career until, just recently, he found two albums stuffed full of photos. Some of these are the only shots of tracks like Green Mountain Speedway in Sheldon, VT and the rare car races at Montreal's Richelieu Park horse track.
Jackie's career spanned the late 1940's and went into the 1960's. He was never limited by extremely serious hearing challenges, but his but racing career having begun at a later age than many of his peers did serve to limit the number of years he drove. Here's to you, Jackie - thanks for the memories. These are not every shot of him I have; they are HIS photos.

Williamson Photo Jackie takes his #16 through its paces - possibly at Green Mt. Speedway in Sheldon, VT- around 1948.	Williamson Photo Jackie runs 3rd, behind Art Prairie and another car. He said he won this race at Sheldon, Vt.	Photographer Unknown Jackie spent much time in sprint pit areas just like this one he photographed.	Photographer Unknown This is likely Jackie, at speed on the Richelieu Park horse track in Montreal.	Photographer Unknown One of Jackie's competitors at Elwin Swinton's Champlain Speedway in Ticonderoga. That's Jackie's 16 at right.
Peterson Collection Jackie drove one of P. A. Soper's DO Hal cars for a while when he drove log trucks for the Sopers.	Peterson Photograph The 16 sprint car is sitting at Dad's Diamond T Truck dealership on Williston Road.	Peterson Photograph Jackie poses at Dad's Diamond T Truck dealership on Williston Road.	Peterson Collection The 16 sprint car is sitting in a lineup at Richelieu Park. Notice the odds board for the horse betting.	Peterson Photograph Salesmen and mechanics at Dad's Diamond T Truck dealership on Williston Road.
Peterson Collection This is likely Jackie, with a slightly different sprinter. This looks like Sheldon.	Peterson Collection Jackie, at Richelieu Park with crewman.	Peterson Collection Working on the sprinter at Richelieu Park.	Peterson Photo Jackie was always interested in other people's cars.	Peterson Collection Jackie looks like one of those old Indy drivers in this shot.
Peterson Collection The 16 sprint car at an unknown venue. It looks a little like Smitty's Colchester Raceway, but I doubt they had sprinters there at any time.	Peterson Collection The 16 sprint car is worked on at Richelieu Park. Notice the odds board for the horse betting.	Peterson Collection The 16 sprint car is sitting in a lineup at Richelieu Park.	Peterson Collection Looking at Jackie's 16 through the fence at an unknown track.	Peterson Collection The cockpit of someone's sprint car - not Jackie's.

Peterson Collection
A feature win at Saranac Lake Speedway, in the Shirley Wallace 1 NY with starter and former sprint car rival Art Prairie.

Peterson Collection Some of the entourage pushing the 24 car at the same track as its other photos.	Peterson Collection Enjoying a post - race beer with a crewman - maybe in Canada. I don't recognize the 1937 Ford behind them.	Peterson Collection A good shot of an early '50's track. I assume Jackie is one of those cars in action.	Peterson Collection A dressed - up Jackie, holding the Vt. State Championship trophy he won at Northfield. One of the others in car owner Eddie Reynolds.	Peterson Collection Jackie, leading a race at Colchester - Bayview, in Ernie Barcomb's 71.
Peterson Collection At the Heil Northeast garage in So. Burlington. This is Royce Tucker's 1st 7VT, of which Jackie was the 1st driver.	Peterson Collection At the Heil Northeast garage in So. Burlington. This is Royce Tucker's 1st 7VT, of which Jackie was the 1st driver.	Peterson Collection At the Heil Northeast garage in So. Burlington. This is Jackie with Jim LeClaire.	Peterson Collection At the Heil Northeast garage in So. Burlington. This is Royce Tucker's 1st 7VT, of which Jackie was the 1st driver.	Peterson Collection Leaving the Heil Northeast garage in So. Burlington. This might have been the first race. Dutch Reed later drove the car.
Peterson Collection An early V1 car, winning in Canada at LaPrairie.	Peterson Collection The Dutcher Construction D8 team car, in winter.	Peterson Collection The Dutcher Construction D8 team car, at Airborne.