BILL WIMBLE

                            

            
              Although he drove in several other cars before, Bill Wimble is best known for the long and successful run he had in Dave McCredy's 33, out of Sherburne, NY. Starting out life as a dairy farmer in northern New York, Wimble was introduced to racing at places like St. Lawrence Valley Speedway in Canton, NY and by people like noted car owner Floyd Geary, who owned the black and whie cars with the zebra striped roofs. Geary had drivers such as Buck Holliday to serve as examples for Wimble.
             Once he had enough of the sometimes - tempestuous Geary, Wimble began running for Ellenburg Depot's Gaylord Rowe, who fielded the potent, Ford - powered T-800 car. Wimble won win a championship at Airborne Park Speedway in Plattsburgh with this car and drive an additional year for Rowe in New York and in Canada. Eventually, Bill gravitated towards what, in those days, was the big time: Fonda Speedway [which represented a long travel time from the Wimble family farm]. He would drive for car owner Hal Kempeny before being chosen to drive the McCredy S33.
             The tall McCready, a car dealer in Sherburne, had the services of ace mechanic Fred DeCarr. Together, the team managed two national championships, numerous track and state titles, and many, many feature wins. When Wimble decided to stop driving after a major accident at Lebanon Valley, Mrs. McCredy [who by then had taken over the team from her departed husband] folded the tents, ending the reign of one of New York's most dominant teams. It is doubtful either one could have accomplished what they did without the other.

           
All Photos Courtesy of Alan McDonald
Childhood and youth photos from the family collection.

The Pre - Rowe Years


Courtesy of Wimble Collection via the Fonda Book

 
Wimble Collection
Via the Fonda Book
Bill, at speed, with his own car, aptly named The Lucky Lady.

Wimble Collc
via Alan McDonald
A second very grainy shot of Bill with the Lucky Lady.

Wimble Collc
via Alan McDonald
Bill and the Sliver Whites, one of his earlier car owners.
 
Wimble Collection
Via the Fonda Book
Bill, already a hired gun at an early age. This is said to be
The Darryl Cloce car. - at the St. Lawrence Valley Speedway in Canton, NY.

Wimble Collc
via Alan McDonald
Another, different car at Canton - supposedly Bill. This was the Hermie Graf C15.

Wimble Collc
via Alan McDonald
An early photo of what is said to be BIll in a more competitive looking car at Canton. Sliver White's 15.
 


The Gaylord Rowe Years


Courtesy of Scott Richner
The original Rowe T-800. It had less body metal than the later one driven by Dick Goodell.


Courtesy of Wimble Collection
Bill with Gaylord Rowe, Sr.
, a man he always esteemed.


From The Fonda
History Book

Bill with a win
in the Rowe T-800
at Airborne.

Bob Mackey Photo
Courtesy of John Rock

Bill with the other Rowe entry at Airborne. he never liked it as well as the T-800.
 
Bob Mackey Photo
Courtesy of John Rock

Bill, at speed, with the Rowe 26 at Airborne. He points out how it always leaned to one side and didn't distribute
weight well.
 
Bob Mackey Photo
Courtesy of
Chris Companion

Another 26 pose.
 
Bob Mackey Photo
Courtesy of John Rock

Wimble in the Airborne pits after a race with fans.
 
Bob Mackey Photo
Courtesy ofMike Watts Sr

The Rowe 26 sits
in a pit lineup waiting for the next race.
 
Bob Mackey Photo
Courtesy of
Mike Watts Sr

Bill with legs crossed sits on the roof of the 26, awaiting a next race with Ben Nephew. His former Cloce 21
ride is ahead.
 
Bob Mackey Photo
Courtesy of
Mike Watts Sr

The Rowe team cars sit on the starting grid,
with Bill's 26 on the outside and Dick Goodelle with the  T-800.
 
HAMB Site
Contributor Unknown

Another full view
of the unpopular 26.

Bob Mackey Photo
Courtesy of G. Rowe J
r
 
Courtesy of Craig Revelle

Bill with the 26 at Bouvrette Speedway, St. Jerome, QC - around 1956.
 
Bob Mackey Photo
Courtesy of Craig Revelle

A rare shot of Bill posing with the T-800
around 1955.
 
Trombley Family Photo
Courtesy of Ron Trombley

Bob Trombley obligingly did away with the 26
at Bouvrette in 1957. This is son, Ron, posing with what was left.
 
Bob Mackey Photo
Courtesy of G. Rowe J
r

Bill with the T-800
warily leads Bob Bushey, a man who threatened to roll him over.
 
Bob Mackey Photo
Courtesy of R.Trombley

Bill, 3rd from left,
with a bunch of his Rowe era fellow drivers: Jackie Peterson, Harold Ormsby, Bill, Ernie Reid, Bob Bushey, and Gaylord Rowe, Sr and Jr.

 

The Hal Kempeny Years


Courtesy of Dan Ody


Courtesy of Otto Graham
Hal Kempeny bought
a Dutch Hoag car and soon Bill was behind
the wheel.

Courtesy of Otto Graham
Hal Kempeny's 113
at Langhorne, when
it was first acquired.
 
Bob Mackey Photo
Courtesy of John Rock

Dutch Hoag,
who ran the
113 before
Bill.
 
Courtesy of Lew Boyd
An early Victory Lane with the Kempeny car.
 
Bob Mackey Photo
Courtesy of John Rock

Wimble in the Airborne pits after a race with fans.

 
Courtesy of Otto Graham
Hal Kempeny's 113
had 2 other drivers. This one is Utica, NY's
Jim Luke.
 
Courtesy of Otto Graham
Hal Kempeny's 113
with Tiger Tom Kotary grabbing a win.
   
Courtesy of Don Rounds Jr
The Kempeny car, now as 213, at Langhorne - in front of Henry Caputo's
#11 with George Baumgardner at the wheel.
 
From Dan Ody's 8MM
Old Speedways DVD

Whoever had it at this Stateline race put a few more wrinkles on it. 
 
Maynard Johnson Photo
The Kempeny car is now 213,
but it could be Bill driving at Stateline. Hal had 2 cars for a bit
 
From Ed Duncan
via Three Wide
Driving Frank Trinkhaus' 62, behind Irish Jack Murphy, at Trenton.
 

The McCredy Years


Ladabouche Collection


Courtesy of Otto Graham
This may be the earliest McCready photo I have. They were still using the
S33 number and the car looks like a Ford.

Bob Mackey Photo
Courtesy of John Rock

Bill, at speed, with the 33 at Airborne around
1960.
 
Fred DeCarr Collection
via Otto Graham thru MidState
Club

Perhaps the first McCready Chevy coupe.
 
Ed Baccei Photo
Around 1963, leaving Otter Creek Speedway in Waltham, VT - chasing
national points.
 
Ladabouche Photo
Same situation as
photo left. The familiar McCready Cadillac tow car is partly visible.
 
Bob Mackey Photo
Courtesy of John Rock

Running in the track at Airborne during the successful 1960 championship chase.
 
Courtesy of Gary Nephew
NASCAR Record
Book Portrait shot.
 
Bob Mackey Photo
Courtesy of John Rock

A closeup at
Airborne Park Speedway
 
Courtesy of Wes Moody
Leading Walt Schutt at
an undisclosed track.
 
Bob Mackey Photo
Courtesy of John Rock

Getting the checkers from Art Prairie at Airborne around 1960.
 
Bob Mackey Photo
Courtesy of John Rock

Getting the hardware
at Airborne's Victory
Lane.
  
Courtesy of Norm Vadnais
A little bit more modern 33 coupe - likely set up for
pavement.
 
J.M. Johnson Photo
Pete Corey lends a hand on the track at Trenton as Bill tries to adjust something, probably under a caution.
  
Courtesy of Ron Wetzler
Bill and crew are very focused on something as they wait to go out.
 
Courtesy of Pascal Cote
Another '60's portrait.

Fred DeCarr Collection
via Otto Graham

Wimble, Bill Ferguson, Fred DeCarr, Doug Rundell, and Jim Kelley savor a Victory Lane moment.

Fred DeCarr Collection

via Otto Graham

Fred DeCarr, then - driver Don Henderrberg, Fonda announcer Red Wildey, and Dave McCready in an earlier Victory Lane. 
 
Courtesy of Don Rounds Jr
The same McCready Ford Bill started out with. Here, Chuck Mahoney was driving it at Langhorne.
 
Courtesy of Lew Boyd
A McCready car [likely Dutch Hoag next to Lou Lazarro at Langhorne.
 
Ladabouche Collection
My favorite classic Wimble shot. The early 60's car, the Hawaiian short, and the usual win.
 
Source Unknown
This is supposedly
Bill's Syracuse fire.
 
Fred DeCarr Collection
via Otto Graham thru MidState
Club

A bent - up 33, kind of
a rare sight. This is after the bad Valley wreck.
 
Courtesy of Paul Connors
A much earlier and equally - rare S33 wreck. Future Grand National driver Paul Connors poses before the S33 at Stateline. Probably wrecked by Don Henderberg.
 
Courtesy of Paul Connors
More of the Stateline
disaster.
 
Audette Photo
Wimble, at Malta,
with a lowered pavement version.
 
Fred DeCarr Collection
via Otto Graham thru MidState
Club

A typical McCready
33, trailered.
 
Fred DeCarr Collection
via Otto Graham thru MidState
Club

No driving suits yet.
 
Fred DeCarr Collection
via Otto Graham thru MidState
Club

A very lowered version takes a Fonda win.
 
Fred DeCarr Collection

via Otto Graham thru MidState
Club

Jim Kelley, Doug Rundell, Fred DeCarr and Bill - many years later at some reunion.
 
Fred DeCarr Collection
via Otto Graham thru MidState
Club

Another Fonda win.
 
Fred DeCarr Collection
via Otto Graham thru MidState
Club

A photo of a Fonda win
taken from a strange angle.
 
Fred DeCarr Collection
via Otto Graham thru MidState
Club

Wimble chasing an early Frankie Schneider sedan at somewhere like Langhorne or Nazareth.
 
Fred DeCarr Collection
via Otto Graham thru MidState
Club

Putting the old Ford through its paces after it had survived Mahoney and Henderberg.
 
Fred DeCarr Collection
via Otto Graham thru MidState
Club

The less - photographed sedan.
 
Bob Hoffman Photo
One of the coupes, after having been sold.

Fred DeCarr Collection
via Otto Graham thru MidState
Club

A Fonda pose around 1961.

Frank Simek Photo
{Obviously]

At speed on one of the big tracks with the sedan.

Shaney Lorenzent Photo
via Andy Fusco

Bad wreck at Stafford. Closest to being killed - according to some.

Shaney Lorenzent Photo
via Andy Fusco

Given a cake by fans at Stafford. Bill was misunderstood as aloof there because he didn't stick around after races. Hell, he had a farm to run the next day almost in Canada.

Frank Simek Photo
[Obviously]

This is said to be a rare shot because Fred didn't like using fuel injection.

Frank Simek Photo
Racing Fred Adam at Langhorne. The hood is missing because it had popped up in his face during the race.

Frank Simek Photo
Leading Ray Sitterly and Dave Lape in his first car.

Frank Simek Photo
Racing Pete Corey in the potent Drellos 11.

Shaney Lorenzent Photo
via Andy Fusco

A rare photo of a primered McCready car. The team was fussy about the appearance of their cars.

Shaney Lorenzent  Photo
via Andy Fusco

Same car painted up. Shaney didn't take weird angles - we were snapping these off to the side of a projector screen.

At speed somewhere.

Fred DeCarr Collection
via Otto Graham thru MidState
Club

The familiar coupe behind the equally - familiar Cadillac hauler.

Fred DeCarr Collection
via Otto Graham thru MidState
Club

A rare stint in Peter Hollebrand's 53 at Stafford.
 
Frank Simek Photo
A nice helmet portrait by Frank.
 
Shaney Lorenzent Photo
Screwed up by Us

A Stafford win.
 
Shaney Lorenzent Photo
Screwed up by Us

Another Stafford win.
 
Frank Simek Photo
A rare injected Fonda win.
 
Frank Simek Photo
A popular Fonda win. Know anyone in that crowd ?
 
Ladabouche Collection
As a member of the 1967 All Star League - winning Fonda team. Team mate Ron Narducci is beside him. The 3rd member was Ernie Gahan.
 
Frank Simek Photo
At speed on the tricky Fonda oval.
 
Frank Simek Photo
Two McCready cars
at somewhere like Syracuse or Langhorne.
 
Internet Source - From
"The Bullfather"

At Utica - Rome.
 
Fred DeCarr Collection
via Otto Graham thru MidState
Club

Wearing a satin race jacket, so popular in the '60's.


Courtesy of Gerry LaVallee
The sedan, amde
famous at Langhorne.

Shaney Lorenzent Photo
via Tom Ormsby

Another Stafford shot.
 
Internet Source - From
"The Bullfather"

At Malta, with Wes Moody looking on in background.
 
John Bisci Photo
Leading Chuck Boos
at Lancaster.
 
Ladabouche Collection
A Fonda win with Dave joining in.
 
Courtesy of  Dan Ody

Wimble leads a heat off the track at Victoria Speedway.
 
Courtesy of Otto Graham
Bill, at Devil's Bowl
when it first opened.
 
Courtesy of Otto Graham

Bill, in the Fonda infield with small - time car owner
Theron Von Benschoten in the background.

Courtesy of Tom Ormsby
A great sedan shot. 
 
 Ladabouche Collection
Bill, during his stint as a Lebanon Valley regular 
 
Courtesy of Gary Nephew

In a 1961 Canadian track program during the national points chase that ended in a tie.
 
Courtesy of Gary Nephew

Ironic photo of Bill France handing out the trophies for the NASCAR National Sportsman co- Championships. Neither looks that happy and each has the other's trophy.
 
Unidentified Internet Source
On some dirt track. What's with the flag on the side ? He isn't holding onto it.
 
Fred DeCarr Collection
via Otto Graham thru MidState
Club

Chuck Mahoney, in Peter Hollebrand's 53 has hit Bill in an early S33.

Internet Source - From
"The Bullfather"
Chasing Jack Malone
maybe at Islip.

Internet Source - From
"The Bullfather"

Someone's Kodak shot of the sedan arriving or leaving.

Fred DeCarr Collection
via Otto Graham thru MidState
Club

Bill's and Ken Meahl's cars burn on the track at Syracuse.
 
Fred DeCarr Collection
via Otto Graham thru MidState
Club

Another injected win. Great retaining fence eh ?
 
Off You Tube
At his last race, in Dave Lape's car and firesuit.

Frank Simek Photo
A nice color shot of action at Fonda.

Al Clark Collection
via Gerry LaVallee

Comin' atcha

Courtesy of Gerry LaVallee
On the track at Stafford.

Courtesy of Gerry LaVallee
With an older, more upright 33

Frank Simek Photo
A nice shot of action at Langhorne with
Shoemaker.

Joe Cryan Photo
Parked next to Lee
Hendrickson at Nazareth.

Jim Kelly Photo
A nice color shot of Bill at Fonda
said to be around 1967.
 
Alan McDonald Photo
Lined up at Nazareth bewside Ploski and behind Hildreth and Sleight.
 
Cliff Haynes Photo
Cliff captured the 33 on the trailer somewhere.
 
Shany Lorenzent Photo
via Dave Dykes

Checkers at
Stafford. An earlier shot - the car still is S33.
 
Jim Kelly Photo
A nice shot of Bill
around 1967 at
Fonda.
 
Alan McDonald Photo
Bill poses at one of the larger races while Fred Decar does final
prepping at right.
 
Photo via Edward B. Brown III
A shot at Middletown.
 
James Osterhoudt Photo
This is said to be another 33 fire - this time at Syracuse. 
 
Dave Campbell Photo
At first, I thought he was giving us the finger - but that would be most un - Wimble - like.
  
Jack Hedstrom Photo
via Edw. B. Brown III
Early Langhorne shot beside the
Deasey/Wolfe 707.
 
Cliff Haynes Photo
Cliff caught the 33
on the trailer at Fonda.
 
Alan McDonald Photo
The career - ending wreck at the Valley.
  
Russ Bergh Photo
Casvalcade of Auto Racing

A Fonda pose.
  
Courtesy of the Midstate Club
Somebodys's Kodak of the sedan.
 
Alan McDonald Photo
Early in he career -it's an S33.
 
From the HAMB
Message Site

Another shot at
Stafford.
 
Bill Farress Photo
Wimble at Monroe County. Ironically
the other car is his old Kempeny ride.
 
Greg Rickes Photo
Wimble at Victoria
with some fans.
 
Gene Stratton Photo
Taken at Reading.
 
John Grady Photo
via Dave Dykes

A nice color shot of Bill in the sedan.
 
Joel Canfield Photo
via Rick Parry

Joel Canfield got this shot at St. Lawrence Valley Speedway in Canton with his trusty Kodak .
 
Courtesy of Christian "Ti-Gaz" Genest
From a racing paper.
 
Courtesy of the
Midstate Club

Captions tell the story.
 
Austin Gregory Photo
Somewhere that required a number change.
 
Via Edw. B. Brown III

A nice typical color shot.
 
Courtesy of the
Midstate Club

Posing at Monroe County.
 
Roger Kofroth Photo Courtesy of the Three
Wide Picture Vault

The sedan arriving somewhere.
 
Shany Loremnzet Photo Courtesy Edw.
B. Brown III

At Stafford.
 
Shany Loremnzet Photo Courtesy Andy Fusco
The 33 wrecked at Stafford.
   
From Dan Ody's 8MM
Old Speedways DVD's

At Middletown.
 
Ric Lucia Collection
At an undetermined
dirt track.
 
John Grady Photo
Heading out to qualify for the 1962 Fonda 100.
 
Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy Ed Biitig Coll.
A Fonda wreck.

Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy Jim Kelly Coll. via S. Belknap.
The sedan, as yet unpainted.
 

The Daytona Years


Bob Mackey Photo Courtesy of Mike Watts, Sr


Courtesy of Pascal Cote

Bill, at the Daytona beach course or maybe the first superspeedway race with an early McCready coupe.
 

Fred DeCarr Collection
via Otto Graham thru MidState
Club

On the beach with a car more recent than the one at left. Not sure where they were running it - the beach course was closed.
  
John Grady Photo
Lockport, NY's Cam Gagliardi stands by a '61 Pontiac he prepared for Wimble, who was running in every points race he could.

Bob Mackey Photo
Courtesy of John Rock

McCready's 1961 Pontiac
Permatex car.
 

 
Ladabouche Photo
This appears to be a borrowed ride for a superspeedway in his national points chasing years.
 
Fred DeCarr Collection
via Otto Graham thru MidState
Club

Another Pontiac shot.
 
Fred DeCarr Collection
via Otto Graham thru MidState
Club

A '55 Chevy the team had for some big track events.
 
Alan McDonald Photo
A nice color shot of Bill posing while Frd Decar does final prepping.

Getty Images Photo
A shot at the 1963
Permatex race.

Fred DeCarr Collection
via Otto Graham thru MidState
Club
McCready's Permatex
Studebaker - different angle.

Fred DeCarr Collection
via Otto Graham thru MidState
Club

McCready's Permatex
Studebaker.

Mike Cranston Photo
Lined up at a Permatex race in front of Bill Slater. An unfamiliar car.
 
Photo via Edward B. Brown III
Bill at Middletown. Buzzie Reutimann is in background wearing his All Star League helmet.
 
Getty Images Photo
Early in the career with the McCredy coupe at a Daytona race. 
     
Rick Parry Photo
At a Permatex race With this
Studebaker.
 
Courtesy of Lou Lazzaro
Another view of
the Syracuse fire.

   


The Retirement Years

                          
Left - Lape Collection    Right - Ken Dippel Photo
Bill thrilled a very young David Lape by sharing Victory Lane with him in the 1960's. Many years later, then a legend at Fonda himself,
Lape put a long - retired Wimble in his car for one final win.


Photographer Unknown
The reunited Fonda
Championship All Star
League team of 1968:
Wimble, Narducci, Gahan.
 
Photographer Unknown
Another reunion
years later.
 
Photographer Terrible
It's Me
I got a really blurry shot of Wes Moody with Wimble, at Airborne around 2006.
 
Norty Foster Photo
Me, with my friend,
Bill Wimble. He liked
it when he learned
I had also written a
book about racing.
 
Ladabouche Photo
Bill with former
Airborne rivals
Charlie Trombley [left]
and Jim  "Sapphire"
LeClaire.
 
Scheeves Photo

Bill with former Fonda
drivers Guy Chartrand, Ron Quackenbush, and
Jeep Herbert.



Photographer Unknown
Another autograph
session with Rene
Charland, Nick Ronca,
and Doc Blanchard.
   
Jeremiah Fish Photo
 Bill at his Hall of Fame induction. I assume it is
Weedsport, but not sure. Could be NYSSCRA.


Frank Simek Photo
A nice color shot of Bill with John Danish.
 
Courtesy of Ken Parrotte
Bill, as I see him every year, by a tribute restoration.
 
Frank Simek Photo
Bill and Nancy.
   

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