Page 5 - speedway19461229

P,resenting Connie Wiedell

Pacific Coast Hot Rod Champion

The curtains part, the spotlights focus in the middle of the stage,
a fanfare blares forth from the trumpet section, and this week we
introduce the holder of the Pacific Coast Hot Rod Championship,
CONNIE WIEDELL. Connie acquired this new title last Thanksgiving
Day when he beat Jack McGrath to the finish line in one of the most
thrilling races this writer has been privileged to witness.
Winning tit.les is,,.-nothing new to Connie) though, because in 1939
Wiedell walked off the stage of the Paramount Theatre in Los Angel-
es with the California Jitterbug Championship firmly stowed away.
After this tri,umph, the Champ spent some time in the movies, dancing
with Bette Davis in "Thank Your Lucky Stars" and Ann Miller in "True
to the Army." But Wiedell gave 1;1p this dull life, ( can you imagine
anyone that would rather hold the steering wheel of a Roaring Road-
ster than Ann Miller??!!) and now spends his time as a mechanic at
Wiedell's Speed Shop.
Connie, past secretary of the S.C.T.A. "Gophers", starter his rac-
ing career this year at Oakland. Previously, he had run his Cad "T"
through the traps at 128 mph, and a "Goin With the Wind" time of
133.92. No. 41, the Ford six that Connie_races, is a Knewsen Special,
and the same mill that Clay Smith- uses in his record-breaking speed
boat. It does well by Connie Wiedell, too.

As this is the last program of 1946J we want to express our appreciaijon to the publicJ
the advertisers and the managenient for their sttpport and cooperation and to wish
one and all a very happy New Year.
· DON NICHOLSON AND MEL STEINERJ The Eaitors