Thomas E
06-18-2009, 03:10 PM
Jim Malloy drove a dark blue and white ‘58 Edsel Pacer, #19 at Colorado National Speedway. The car was well built and a strong runner, and surrounded by quite a bit of controversy.
The combination - Jim Malloy a very talented driver, plus the #19 Edsel Pacer a fast car, equals a winning combination.
The car was built close to Holman-Moody specs, and ran with a E-475 (410 cu, 345 hp) V8. Somebody read the engines rule very carefully. The engine rule stated that the engine in the car could be no bigger than that year of car had regardless of model name.
Gene Hefley CNS track owner, owned the #19 Edsel. At the time the Edsel was raced in 1966, Colorado National Speedway was a half mile dirt track, the faster cars clocked 19-21 seconds in the time trials, Jim always timed in very well. All events were inverted starts, and most main event fields were 18-24 cars.
The controversy - In one main event, 50 laps, Jim lapped the field lapped the field twice.
During the rest of the season Jim had won a few more main's, some heat races, and a few trophy dashes with the Edsel. Eventually there was a protest to examine the car’s engine, for one thing it was said that the cylinders were illegal. and strangely with about two-thirds season over Jim went back to super-modified racing, then USAC “Big Car” racing and onto Indy for the 500. The #19 Edsel, well I saw it was never again.
In 1969 the rules changed a bit, not so much the engine rule, but who could own a stock car at CNS, the track owner could no longer own a car, I’m not sure but I think the club president could not own a car either.
The photo attached is the only one I have seen so far.
Pictured left to right is Alan Batt #101, Jim Malloy #19, Paul Garrison #007, and ridding the rim is Harry McCool #18. This photo was taken between the back stretch and the apex of the north turn.
The combination - Jim Malloy a very talented driver, plus the #19 Edsel Pacer a fast car, equals a winning combination.
The car was built close to Holman-Moody specs, and ran with a E-475 (410 cu, 345 hp) V8. Somebody read the engines rule very carefully. The engine rule stated that the engine in the car could be no bigger than that year of car had regardless of model name.
Gene Hefley CNS track owner, owned the #19 Edsel. At the time the Edsel was raced in 1966, Colorado National Speedway was a half mile dirt track, the faster cars clocked 19-21 seconds in the time trials, Jim always timed in very well. All events were inverted starts, and most main event fields were 18-24 cars.
The controversy - In one main event, 50 laps, Jim lapped the field lapped the field twice.
During the rest of the season Jim had won a few more main's, some heat races, and a few trophy dashes with the Edsel. Eventually there was a protest to examine the car’s engine, for one thing it was said that the cylinders were illegal. and strangely with about two-thirds season over Jim went back to super-modified racing, then USAC “Big Car” racing and onto Indy for the 500. The #19 Edsel, well I saw it was never again.
In 1969 the rules changed a bit, not so much the engine rule, but who could own a stock car at CNS, the track owner could no longer own a car, I’m not sure but I think the club president could not own a car either.
The photo attached is the only one I have seen so far.
Pictured left to right is Alan Batt #101, Jim Malloy #19, Paul Garrison #007, and ridding the rim is Harry McCool #18. This photo was taken between the back stretch and the apex of the north turn.