Good guessers
Almost everyone who participated in guessing the vehicle photograph in last week's Dispatch was correct.
It was a 1956 Desoto Fireflite two-door hardtop. Some of the guessers did have the wrong year, 1955 and 1957.
One caller said that this vehicle had an inaugural push-button shifter.
Another caller said that 1956 was the first year for an automatic transmission. He also had more details on this car, including that it had independent front suspension, coil springs and drum brakes.
He also said it could have weighed between 3,395 pounds and 4,125 pounds.
Another caller said that the base price for this vehicle was $2,800.
Larry Roscoe wrote in an e-mail that he thought that 1956 was the first year a Hemi engine was available. The standard eight-cylinder engine would have been a 330-cubic inch. He also wrote that this car also probably has dual exhaust.
Roscoe also wrote that he almost purchased one of these cars in 1961 (it would have been his first car). A friend of one of his relatives wanted to sell his with a blown engine (he just wanted enough money to pay the car off).
"But I wanted a car that ran," Roscoe wrote. "Sorry ever since. This is one beautiful machine."
Marc Gabiger wrote in an e-mail that Desotos were made by Chrysler from 1928 through 1961.
"They were very nice cars in their day," he said.
Cliff Sasker, North Central Speedway owner, said he is hoping for the same car count or better this season, which opens Saturday.
He added that last year he learned that his staff put too much water on the track.
Asked if owning the track met his expectations, he replied, "Yeah and then some. It's enjoyable. I'm having fun."
Former Brainerd resident Nathan Thiesse failed to qualify for his second consecutive NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series race Saturday (the fourth round of the 14-round series).
This time it was on the quarter-mile Stockton 99 Speedway in Stockton, Calif. There were 22 cars in the 125-lap feature from 34 entries, the top 17 fastest cars in qualifying, three provisionals and the top two racers from the last chance qualifier. The provisionals were awarded from last year owner's points.
The pole winner qualified in 13.66 seconds. Only .13 second separated the second place car to Thiesse's 22nd spot (13.83 to 13.96).
Nathan's brother Darren wrote in an e-mail that Nathan wished he had more time to build shocks for the front of his car because it was bottoming out. He also wrote that Nathan said the track was small plus the roughest he's ever driven on.
In the practice session, Nathan was only one of six racers under 14 seconds. Darren wrote that Nathan did a "mock" qualifying run after practice and felt confident to not only qualify but qualify in the top 10.
In the last chance qualifier, Nathan started sixth. Darren wrote that a lot of the racers were "banging" so Nathan tried to stay clear. Unfortunately, another racer ran into him and ended his night.
Trent Snyder, 19, Deerwood, will open his racing season at I-94 Raceway in Sauk Centre Saturday.
His father Steve said Trent will be racing a 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo on the 3/8th-mile asphalt track.
"It's the best car we've ever put together," he said.
Some of the parts include a new engine, new body, and new chassis.
The Snyders also purchased some equipment, including electronics and a fuel cell, from an ARCA RE/MAX racing team with connections to a NASCAR Winston Cup team. (Trent knows an ARCA crew chief, Mark Nelson, who is a former Aitkin resident).
Steve said that Trent also will race at the Fergus Falls Raceway this season. The owners of I-94 Raceway, Tim and Ted Olson, purchased the 3/8th mile track last winter.
He added that he and Trent are confident of advancing to a faster class in the future since former Brainerd resident Nathan Thiesse is racing in the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series Tour this season. Trent and Nathan raced against each other at Sauk Centre the last two years.
"We think we can make it happen," Steve Snyder said.