JIM BEDORE - Retrospective

[Jerry Lee]

Jim Bedore was another driver that was fun to watch run the 8 at Englewood Speedway during the ‘70’s. Jim made a comeback in the division when the Figure 8’s started up again at Colorado National Speedway in 1989, and ran through the ‘90’s.

Here’s a quick look at just a few of Jim’s cars over the years.


http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=198&pictureid=1256
(Jim Bedore collection) Jim Bedore picks up a big trophy and……YOW!, an even bigger trophy
girl after this 1974 win at Englewood. Purrrrr!



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=198&pictureid=1257
(Jim Bedore collection) Here’s another look at Jim’s ’56 Ford from 1974.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=198&pictureid=1258
(Jim Bedore collection) Jim’s beautifully painted ‘stars & stripes’ Figure 8 finally came to a
rest in the East turn of Englewood Speedway after losing a wheel and flipping wildly during
a 1975 trophy dash.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=198&pictureid=1259
(Photo by Jerry Lee McGuire) In the early ‘90’s at Colorado National Speedway, Jim’s Figure
Eighter was STILL sponsored by Mel’s Conoco station after all those years.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=198&pictureid=1260
(Photo by Jerry Lee McGuire) Jim’s brother Don Bedore also ran in the division at both Englewood
and Colorado National Speedways sporting the #122. Here’s one of Don’s cars from 1977.

[lakeside #29]

Jerry Lee, Jim Bedore was one of the good guys. He drove clean and had well prepared very sanitary cars. In the Englewood photos the artwork on his and Don's car was done by Mike Young. The amount of work in the "Stars and Stripes" car was really something. It was beautiful.

I worked with Don at Parks and Recreation. He even came over and helped do body work on my #29. He's a good guy. If I remember correctly one his #122's was eventually sold to Bob Stearns Jr. I believe Jim owns Mel's Conoco.

The beautiful blonde in the tiger outfit was Margie Younkin. She was trophy girl many times at area tracks. I think she was a model at the time. Last time I heard of her she was in the real estate business.

[Jerry Lee]

Hey Chris, if I'm not mistaken, Jim wrecked that 'stars & stripes' car very early in the season, maybe 3rd or 4th week. Although it doesn't look too bad in that photo, I seem to remember that Jim and his crew had to build a whole new car which they had out the next week. I think it had just a spray-bombed #22 on it.

There was another 'stars & stripes' #22 Figure 8 that showed up (in '76 maybe?) owned and driven by Jim Beckner. It was a '54 Ford with almost an identical paint and number scheme, do you remember if Mike Young did that car as well?

[lakeside #29]

Jerry Lee, I believe that Jim Beckner bought the "Spirit of "'76" car from Jim Bedore. He must have repaired the damage from the wreck. He ran the car in 1976. Neither Beckner or Bedore are listed in the '76 programs, but I penned in Jim Beckner 3 or 4 times then he quit showing up. Jim Beckner was pictured in the program a couple of times, one in a pit shot and once in action on the track. I don't remember what happened to him after 1976.

[lakeside #29]

Jerry Lee, I did some digging and you were right, there were two "Spirit of '76" cars. I found a larger copy of the wreck photo shown above. The wrecked car is a '55 or'56 Ford. The car that Jim Beckner had was a '54. I would guess Jim Bedore built the '54 as a replacement for the car that was wrecked then later sold it to Jim Beckner. Looking at pictures of the cars I would say Mike Young lettered both of them.
I found the picture I was looking for in an Englewood collection book that a tall rock-n-roll drummer put together. Could that have been "Scabby" Ellis?

[Jerry Lee]

Chris, looks like Mr. Young had an easy time if he had to reletter the driver's
name. Just switch the "dore" for "ckner"! Man, that "Scabby Ellis" is a whole 'nother thread for a whole 'nother time!:singer: