Back in October of 1969, Howie Scannell drove his last Supermodified race at Flamboro Speedway. Howie used to drive Norm Morton’s Supermodified, but decided to switch to Late Models back in 1968. Norm’s son Dave was a reasonably inexperienced driver at this time, so they asked Howie to drive the car for the 100 lap feature at Flamboro. Howie had the experience to race with these competitors.
Dave had wanted to go racing earlier in the year but Norm had sold his Stroker Motor. With this in mind, Norm and Dave agreed to put the little 360 cubic inch motor that Dave had bought for his street car in the race car. It would be underpowered but a good set up for the young driver to learn in. Howie drove the car with the same 360 motor in it, as it was set up for Dave.
Howie qualified on the pole, and led from the start until approximately lap 70, when the caution flag came out. Howie continued to lead after the restart until after he took the white flag. On the last lap he tried to get around a slower car, got a little high and sideways, leaving room for Warren Coniam in the ‘Rutledge Rocket’, Bentley Warren in the ‘Deuce’ and Ollie Silva to slide by underneath him, taking the first three spots. Howie finished fourth. But not bad for an underpowered car with an experienced driver.
Written By Rick Sharples
Courtesy of Dave Morton
