Sam Cangelose '68 Camaro

Chevy454 · #1 04-14-2005, 03:39 AM

Ran across this in an old Drag World paper...

Believed to be the first '68 Camaro set up at Dick's KC shop. An interesting side note, Sam's father, Lou Cangelose, was a top fuel owner/driver that was tragically killed in his dragster down here in our neck of the woods at the Springfield/Ozark, MO, dragstrip. And just as tragically, Sam was killed in a motorcylce accident in KC in the early '70s...

68TopStock · #2 04-14-2005, 11:02 AM

Sam's car was mentioned in the July '68 SSDI article.

Jeff Murphy · #3 04-14-2005, 12:16 PM

Look at the pic closely -- 11.50 with no helmet!!

Chevy454 · #4 04-14-2005, 06:53 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Sam's car was mentioned in the July '68 SSDI article.

[/ QUOTE ]
You mean this one...

**copo-2** · #5 04-16-2005, 10:42 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Look at the pic closely -- 11.50 with no helmet!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Jeff,

Not only were the helmets not worn by many, but in the early going, not many had roll cages. In looking at a 69 rule book, it states that a roll bar could replace the rear seat, this being only an option for Class Stockers, They were recommended for Super Stockers and only required for those with excessive lightening. Seat belts were not a requirement for Stockers, but a lap belt was required for Super Stock. In looking back, many things about safety issues were pretty lax.

Since Lou (Sam's Father) was mentioned on this thread, and his accident at Springfield/Ozark Dragway, I would like to share some irony about this. I was there, and saw this accident. The irony of what happened is what has really stuck in my mind? When Lou was pulling to the line, it was announced this would be his last pass in the Fueler. Lou had a nice pass for the period (180 plus mph), however when the chute was pulled, it broke from the car. The shut down area there was slightly up-grade, but curved to the left, which caused him to loose it. Very sad!!!

Chevy454 · #6 04-16-2005, 10:53 PM

Ray: I had heard that story for years, but had never heard a name or seen it in print, until I ran across that article. Was that the same location we run at in Rogersville? That track is rough, and has dips and bumps in it like crazy, especially in the left hand lane, and not much shut down room...which explains why finally they backed it down to 1/8 mile and 1000' for the big tire cars...of course, compared to Paragould, it's a first class facility!

**copo-2** · #7 04-16-2005, 11:44 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Ray: I had heard that story for years, but had never heard a name or seen it in print, until I ran across that article. Was that the same location we run at in Rogersville? That track is rough, and has dips and bumps in it like crazy, especially in the left hand lane, and not much shut down room...which explains why finally they backed it down to 1/8 mile and 1000' for the big tire cars...of course, compared to Paragould, it's a first class facility!

[/ QUOTE ]

Rob,

Different location!! The old Springfield/Ozark Dragway was located at Ozark. I was up there in Feburary and tryied to figure out where the old track was? 65 Hwy South was only about a half mile West of the track, but when we went, we cut off 60 Hwy on NN going South toward Ozark. The track could be seen from NN Hwy, before getting to 65. Many houses now occupy the old track area. I don't know exactly when it closed, nor do I know when the Rogersville track opened, but the Ozark track was still open when we quit in 76.

Chevy454 · #8 04-17-2005, 01:07 AM

Ahh, I cut through NN every once in a while when I'm headed to Branson, just for grins...and now that you mention it, I remember someone telling me it was around there somewhere. I used to make frequent trips to Adams Funeral Home in Ozark, so I've been through there BUNCHES. Just for grins, I think make some calls and find out where *exactly* it used to be...hey, I've even got an old program that dad picked up when Garlits and some other big names stopped by sometime in the early '70s I believe...Big Daddy even signed it!