DICK NEPHEW   
1961 NASCAR National Sportsman Co-Champion

 


     When Dick Nephew and Bill Wimble tiued for the 1961 NASCAR National Sportsman championship, several factors were in place: 1.) racing excellence in rural Northern New York state was represented by both men; 2.) the two men were entirely different from one another; and 3.) neither was particularly pleased with the way the whole tie thing came about. Both men insisted NASCAR pulled strings to allow the other to tie with them.  I had the pleasure of talking to Wimble, for the first time in my life, in the summer of 2005 - at Airborne Speedway. Nice man. But, I knew Dick Nephew somewhat better, having written articles on him, and having visited with him at his home, on the Canadian border in Cannon Corners, New York.
    Dick Nephew [probably Neveu at some point back in the family history], was a broad - shouldered, profoundly powerful man who was capable of not only manhandling those ill-handling coupes in his day, but also of coming back in his 50's and winning modified races again - in an Olson Eagle. He spoke with more than a trace of the French Canadian accent.
    When I think of Dick and that house in the far northern reaches of New York, I think of my son, Seth - about 9 at that time. Seth went with me for one of Nephew interviews, and he never got over the fawn Dick had preserved in formelgahyde in a pickle jar. Dick had come upon the baby deer after it and the mother had been killed - and he felt the compulsion to preserve the little creature.


THE EARLY YEARS     

EARLY  FORD HOBBY CARS

Nephew Family Collection
One of Dick's earliest cars.

 


Nephew Family Collection
Same early ride.

Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock
Dick takes the inside to set up the car 101 [left]...


Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock
and blows by him on the inside. His car 7
gets sideways as Dick hits the gas.

 


Nephew Family Collection
The Palmetier car, after
apparently close action.
That's OK - it looks like
Dick did a lot of the work on the
car anyway, as shown in the
next photo.


Nephew Family Collection
Early 6 7/8 car,
probably with mechanic
George Palmetier of
Chazy, NY. Dick and
Ben Nephew [left] apparently
did a lot of the work. Palmetier
is seated in the car.

 
Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock
Dick, with what might be the same car
as seen in the next row down.

 
Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock
An Airborne win, with flagger
Art Prairie [rt] and Palmetier.
 
Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock
Dick takes a win in the
1959 or 1960 ice races at Airborne.
 
Bob Mackey Photo viaMike Watts, Sr.
Dick [2nd from right] in converation
with Mooers Forks neighbor Dick Goodell [lft]
and Ben Nephew [rt]. Could be Earl
Nephew with back to camera.

 
Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock
Dick lines up the Palmetier beside
Don Hayes in the late '50's.


Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock
Dick at Syracuse after having
bought the car.
 
Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock
Dick poses with the Palmetier car.
It is somewhat likely he bought one of
those cars, took off the 7/8 and
ended up with his signature #6.


Courtesy of Gary Nephew
Ross Reil helps an  injured Dick out of the
George Palmetier 6 7/8 car. Dick was a
tough son of a gun-  he must have been
nearly dying to accept help like this.


Courtesy of Gary Nephew
A 1957 Riverside win. 

Nephew Family Photo

Some people will race
anything, anywhere. This
is a 1960's Airborne
winter race. This is the year of
the red Ford, only in winter before
he painted it.
 



 

Pascal Magnum Site Photo
A 6 and 7/8 era win- at a Quebec track
[maybe Riverside]. Flagger is Paul Demers.
This could be a Palmetier car or Dick's.

Nephew Family Collection
Dick works on a newly-built version
similar to the 6 7/8's.

Nephew Family Collection
This earlier Ford stock car is very
likely the one shown at left. I don't know who is working on it or where they were, but this
Car was taken to Daytona in 1960.

THE FIRST  BIG DAYTONA ADVENTURE
 
8MM Film Footage Capture
The Source is Not Certain

Nephew
and others towed the yellow
Ford all the way to Florida. In the
modified/sportsman race he was
caught up in the "big one". He is straight
above Wimble's 33, about to meet a
flipping coupe.

 
8MM Film Footage Capture
Past & Present NASCAR Corner

Similar footage, but in color: Dick is
seen up close and personal with a
flipping car. Wimble is clearly seen at
bottom. Wimble and that car 99 both
came in high in the finish, having
avoided contact.
 
8MM Film Footage Capture
Source is Not Certain

This is from a 3rd [color] 8 MM
film: Nephew is seen exitting
the wreck scene [far right]
under his own power.

 
8MM Film Footage Capture
The Source is Not Certain

Nephew
pitted twice after the
crash. This one is the 2nd - in
a rain delay.


 
8MM Film Footage Capture
The Source is Not Certain

One of the Nephews
opens the hood as
others begin to assess the minor damage
during his first pit stop.
 
 
8MM Film Footage Capture
The Source is Not Certain

A young Eddie Pieniazek from Schenectady, jumps in and helps despite not being a Nephew
crew member. 
 
8MM Film Footage Capture
The Source is Not Certain

Eddie Pieniazek calls for a tool
or maybe a part in mid pit stop.

 
8MM Film Footage Capture
The Source is Not Certain

 Pieniazek returns to the task. Future
national champion Rene Charland can
clearly be seen above Ed's shoulder as
the stop becomes a Northeastern US
race cooperation.

 
 
8MM Film Footage Capture
Past & Present NASCAR Corner

Similar footage, but in color: Same
subject matter as previous photo.
 
8MM Film Footage Capture
The Source is Not Certain

Dick heads back out for what I am sure
was some more white knuckle, high
speed driving.
 

 
   
THE RED 6 ERA  LEADING TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Nephew Family Collection

Probably the first #6
This one was a Ford
 .
It may be the Daytona
car with body added.

 

Nephew Family Collection
Nephew in Canada, going
by an Andre Manny spinout.
Check out the tree guy. This
is Riverside.


Nephew Family Collection
Nephew talks with Andre
Manny, with what may well be
Mr. Foley, Riverside promoter.
Dick had no problem firing off
the French.

Nephew Family Collection
Nephew in Victory Lane
at Riverside with Paul
Demers, flagger. I don't
 Know the presenter.

Nephew Family Collection
Dick, with both sons in
Victory Lane in Canada.

It looks like little Gary
Nephew is being interviewed.


Pascal Magnum Site Photo
A portrait, around this era. All that
racing in Canada helped Dick finish
high in the national standings in
1960.




Nephew Family Collection
Dick, driving the late
model Chevy of Dick
Foley, track owner's son.
This may very well have been the
car Dick Foley was driving when
his momentary bobble triggered
the biggest crash in NASCAR
history at Daytona in  1960.
 


Nephew Family Photo
This photo was labeled
as 1965, but it doesn't
look like the one he
was usually photographed
with that year.
.
 
Nephew   Family Photo Courtesy opf Phil Butler
This photo was
obviously taken
at home. It shows an
exceptionally sharp Ford, as
yet unraced.
 
 Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock
The '37 Ford at speed, taking to
the outside to pass at Airborne.
 
Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock
The '37 Ford at speed, taking to
the inside against George Bridges.
 

     Nephew's quest for NASCAR points in the early 1960's brought him to race all over the East, including some of the Daytona Permatex races. The championship year, he would often race in two entirely different regions of the East Coast on the same weekend. Dick recalled how exhausting it was and what a strain this was on his business and for his family.

THE NASCAR NATIONAL SPORTSMAN CO-CHAMPIONSHIP


Third Turn.com
Dick
finished 2nd to Wimble
in 1960.

 


John Grady Photo
Dick became acquainted
with Allie Swears, of Glens
Fall, NY when he ran the
familiar Swears 51 at Fonda.
He knew that, in order to gain
major points, you had to run
Speedweeks.



Nephew Family Photo
Nephew in the Swears
Sportsman. at Daytona.


Nephew Family Photo
Allie Swears, of Glens
Fall, NY walks by Dick
in the Daytona pits.


Nephew Family Collection

Nephew at Daytona with
Swears' 1955 Chevy
sportsman around 1961

Nephew Family Photo
The Swears crew studies
a problem with the sportsman.
 
Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watt, Sr.
The Swears c
ar awaits practice.

AFTER
   Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watt, Sr.
    
Dick and Mrs. Nephew.

Nephew Family Photo
The Swears crew.



 
Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watt, Sr.
    
Dick dutifully poses with the
Swears car as Bob Mackey
photographed the photographer.


 

Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watt, Sr.
    
Dick
looks like this may have been
a serious problem.

Nephew Family Photo
The Swears car getting TLC.

 

Nephew Family Photo
Modeling what was fairly state -
of - the - art communication gear
for that time.

Nephew Family Photo

The Swears car out for practice.

Nephew Family Photo
Beginning the championship year
with a new Chevy.


Nephew Family Photo

Towing the 1961 entry with the
family car.
 



 Photo Source Unknown
Dick in the most
familiar picture - in
the co-Champion campaign.

Nephew Family Photo
A bump on the road
to the title.

 
Photo Source 8MM FIlm Capture
Source Unknown

Dick
ran for points all over,
including here at Fury
Speedway, Fabreville, QU.

 
Photo Source 8MM FIlm Capture
Source Unknown

More from Fury
Speedway, Fabreville, QU.

John Grady Photo

A 1961 photo from a strange angle.
 

 


Nephew Family Collection

The 1961 trophy presentation in Florida. Dick and Bill. If you could zoom in more, you could notice each has the other's trophy.

 

Ladabouche Photo
Courtesy of Gary Nephew

The 1961 National
Sportsman Championship
Trophy. [The correct one].
 


Courtesy of Gary Nephew
A slip of paper with Dick's
total income from the 1960
season. Big bucks !
 

Courtesy of Gary Nephew

A receipt for the money
Dick made for attaining the
national co - championship.
Ridiculous or what ?



Courtesy of Gary Nephew

The two national points
chasers on the same program
at a Canadian track. Riverside.


 

Courtesy of Gary Nephew

Part of the crew for the national
points chases. Dick, Earl Nephew,
and maybe Ross Reil. But it also
looks a little like Dick Goodell.


Courtesy of Gary Nephew
The 1961 championship
car - different angle.


 

Courtesy of Gary Nephew
Victory Lane, with
Mr. Broderick and
an unnamed onlooker.
 


Courtesy of Gary Nephew
Dick would lose his best mechanic a couple of years after the championship. The Reil accident. 



 
Courtesy of Gary Nephew
There are some photos that i can't
place. This one looks like it belongs
here.
   
THE POST   CHAMPIONSHIP CAMPAIGN YEARS 

Mike Watts Photo
Dick shared this
Studebaker mod with
Rod Ritchie, thus the
strange number. Co - owner
Fran Kane is behind the car.

 

 


Courtesy of Gary Nephew
Dick, with that odd-looking Studebaker -
bodied car Fran Kane and Denton Dow
built for him and Rod Ritchie. This
is at Saranac Lk. Speedway.
 

ebay Photo
Dick and Baumie once raced each
other at Airborne - now it occurred
occasionally at Victoria [and Fonda].

ACT Archives Courtesy
of Cho Lee

A NASCAR win at
Thunder Road, around
1965.



John Grady Photo
 A later, pavement - oriented coupe at Malta, around mid 1960's. City Taxi was a loyal sponsor
during those years.
 

Nephew Family Collection
Nephew with benefactor and friend,
Shadow Broderick, of City Taxi. The
firm still exists today.
  

John Grady Photo
At one point during this time period, Dick went to this Falcon-bodied mod, owned out of Massena,
NY by Don Brothers,Nephew's bro - in - law.



Pascal Magnum Site  Likely Gerard Favreau Photo
The family poses in the pits at Champion Speedway. Dick ran it there, at
Malta, maybe Ft. Covington, and
other venues. Whoever took the photo
didn't know who Dick was.

 

 


Gerard FavreauPhoto
Dick poses at Champion
Speedway, a short-lived
track near Bedford, QU.



Gerard Favreau Photo
Nephew, in the mod
feature lineup at
Champion Speedway.
  


Courtesy of Gary Nephew
Dick talks with Lennie Bosley [L&R Speed
Shop] by the Falcon Dick drove for one of
his in - laws. This is either Malta or
Airborne.

Courtesy of Gary Nephew
The less - known Rowe
entry that was run by
Nephew and others in
the 1960's.
 
Courtesy of Tom Neff
Nephew,
looks relieved to win at
Saranac Lake Speedway with an
obviously - overheating car. 1960's.

 
Bob Frazier Photo  Ladabouche Collection
Easily his best - known car, the
Moto-Ski sponsored one he ran
at Devil's Bowl and PIR in 1971.

Courtesy of Gary Nephew
The Moto Ski car. Dick
was good about sticking
around to meet fans.
 


Courtesy of Gary Nephew
Dick and Wes Moody,
rescuing Bud Goodspeed
from a burning car at
Devil's Bowl.
 


Nephew Family Collection

Nephew at Daytona with
Swears' 1955 Chevy
around 1962.  

Nephew Family Collection
Nephew at Daytona with the second
Swears car , right behind old rival
Bill Wimble.
 
Bob Frazier Photo  Cavalcade of Auto Racing
Another Thunderbird Mobile
Homes car.
 
Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock
Posing with a delighted kid
beside the Moto Ski car in 1971.

 
Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock
Helping  Harold Healey with
the
car 50 NY probably a little earlier
than the time period we are in now.


Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock
With Airborne photographer
and track official Bob Mackey.

Frank SImek Photo [obviously]
A 1960's portrait, likely at Fonda.

Bob Mackey Photo via Phil Butler
With a build like this, I wonder how
many drivers mouthed off to Dick.

 
Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr.
    
The Moto - Ski 6 crew at Airborne.

Glens Falls Post Star
Dick does well in the Swears -
owned Chevy. 1962.
 
 
Courtesy of Tom Neff
Dick follows Charlie Draper and
rides beside Mackie Miller at
Saranac Lake.
 
Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock
Dick starts on the outside pole
in a plain coupe - not his usual
look.



John Grady Photo
That plain coupe wins one at
Malta.
 
Bob Frazier Photo via CVRA
Another shot of the Moto -
Ski car. There were many.
 
Bob Frazier Photo via JMarty Kelly Jr.
Dick wins another at Devil's Bowl.

   

THE NORTHERN  NASCAR LATE MODEL SPORTSMAN CAMPAIGN

     Dick's attempt at running with the Northern NASCAR late model sportsman ranks was probably among his more frustrating times in racing. He had a big, heavy Dodge and it never really got untracked. He didn't stay with it very long. Of all the old Airborne hands, only the low-dollar team of Danny Bridges had much luck. Nephew, Branham, Griffith, and others had little success.


Bill Ladabouche Photo
The Mason Dodge
Charger, towing into
Catamount in 1972.


Devils Bowl Program Photo by Bob Frazier
A pose with the Charger.

Photo Source Unknown
Dick doesn't look all that thrilled to
be driving this big LMS, but it was the
show in town.

 

 
 
Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr.
    
Dick poses with an Airborne flagger
with the Dodge.

   
THE LATER YEARS

Plattsburgh Press Republican
The first, but not final retirement.

 
Plattsburgh Press Republican
Dick was coaxed out of retirement
around 1982 by Wes Moody, who was then to
promote Airborne. Moody put him in thihs,
Wes' Olsen Eagle.

 
Plattsburgh Press Republican

Dick
makes Charlie WIlbur work
for the position.
 
Richard Pratt Photo
Dick poses with the Eagle. 
 
A and A WardPhoto
Dick on the gas with the Eagle

Nephew Family Collection
The second version of the
Olsen Eagle. He ran this
color in 1985.
     

 
Ladabouche Photo
Dick's Olsen Eagle, shown at
Airborne now as an antique
racer, around 2010. 2 - time
national champ Bill Wimble
[with whom Dick tied in 1961] is
partially seen at right.


Courtesy of C.J. Richards via Wes Moody
Nephew, after a win at one of the
CVRA tracks. Vedry blurry.
 

Courtesy of Gary Nephew
NASCAR Hall of Fame with Bill
France Jr. Ernie Gahan is at right.
1984 saw Dick's return to racing with top -shelf
equipment. He ended up finishing 2nd or 3rd in
the points and winning multiple features. 
 
Plattsburgh Press Republican
Dick and Charlie Wilbur both win features.

1985 was another strong year, winning multiple features. He finished around 5th or 6th in points.
     
 
Plattsburgh Press Republican
Dick was 5th in the standings
in July.


1986 was a little less productive. He finished around 5th or 6th in points. I am not
sure if he won any features.
 
Plattsburgh Press Republican
Again, Dick was 5th in the standings
in July.
 His 1987 started well - he won a feature. 
 I couldn't find much on how he finished. By
year's end he hinted at retirement [again].

Plattsburgh Press Republican
Dick was set to retire.
 

Just kidding ! 1988 started off with an
anouncement he was in the field for
the first rae. The Press Republican featured
a photo of him.
 
Plattsburgh Press Republican
Dick apparently stuck with Egglefield
Ford and the yellow color scheme after
that first year of red with Budweiser.
 

Plattsburgh Press Republican
This was typical.
 After July, I found no more
news clippings with his name.

 
 
Rooseveltown Indian Time
Dick's final honor was finishing
8th at Frogtown Speedway in 1988.
 

 

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