The Jack Kochman, Lucky Teeter, Irish Horan and Joey Chitwood "hell drivers" were staples at fairs across America in those days. I also remember seeing Tim Chitwood's "auto thrill show" 20+ years ago at a local dirt track. It featured a post-show C&W concert by an up and comer named Trace Adkins.
Chitwood's storied auto thrill show enjoyed further prominence in the Clark Gable-Barbara Stanwyck film TO PLEASE A LADY (MGM-1950). Joie (as spelled in the cast list) Chitwood's name recurred several times in the dialog, but neither he nor his drivers were included as the credits rolled. He was portrayed by contract player William C. McGaw. All this right off the top of my head--after I check out IMDb.
There is a Chitwood off-spring that is the current honcho at the Daytona International Speedway. He still has that "road show" promoter persona, which is perfect for the NASCAR road show.
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The Jack Kochman, Lucky Teeter, Irish Horan and Joey Chitwood "hell drivers" were staples at fairs across America in those days. I also remember seeing Tim Chitwood's "auto thrill show" 20+ years ago at a local dirt track. It featured a post-show C&W concert by an up and comer named Trace Adkins.
Either Joey Chitwood's or Eddie
Kochman's drivers I'd bet
Sorry make that Joie Chitwood &
Jack Kochman
Chitwood's storied auto thrill show enjoyed further prominence in the Clark Gable-Barbara Stanwyck film TO PLEASE A LADY (MGM-1950). Joie (as spelled in the cast list) Chitwood's name recurred several times in the dialog, but neither he nor his drivers were included as the credits rolled. He was portrayed by contract player William C. McGaw. All this right off the top of my head--after I check out IMDb.
I believe Chitwood's had a thrill show at The Big E not all that many years back.
There is a Chitwood off-spring that is the current honcho at the Daytona International Speedway. He still has that "road show" promoter persona, which is perfect for the NASCAR road show.
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