CHESTER [T for Tops] WOOD

                          


     Henry Montandon might have said it best, while standing around waiting for the 2006 Milk Bowl at Thunder Road. He said he once had a chance to drive a Chester T. Wood car for a few laps around Northeastern Speedway - one time. Between the track rushing under him, as seen from the floorless driver's compartment, to the tractor seat, to the loose parts rattling around inside, the Frozen Logger said he was unnerved by the time he had hot-lapped once, he did not see how ANYONE could drive one of Wood's cars, let alone compete at high speed. And Henry was no chicken.
   Chet Wood's middle name did not begin with T - that was another "racing pseudonym" deal cooked up by Ken Squier. They surely did throw away the mold after making up Chet.


Courtesy of Cho Lee
Chet at Northeastern Speedway, with the car that Montandon tried out.


    Chester T. Woods, or Chet as those close to him called him, came from somewhere up in the hills in Orange, Vermont. By the time I had moved up to Northern Vermont in 1968 to start a job I would keep these 41 years, I had already heard of this guy who drove coupes numbered X-1, operating from a tractor seat. I already knew he could win, and I already heard he could also get the feared Ronnie Marvin so angry as to beat the hell out of him.


Courtesy of Cho Lee
Maybe it wasn't that hard to see what got Marvin the Mauler that mad.


    I never got to see Chester T. until he made a return to the sport in  1971, when he decided to get into the late model business, having [sort  of] built a 1962 Plymouth to run at Catamount and Thunder Road. One of my favorite stories ever is the high-dollar Rosati operation, with its two matching flashy, Rosner-built 1967 Fords andi ts big buck haulers parking next to Wood on the first week of racing. The smug Massachusetts bunch would cast frequent smirky glances at their next door neighbor, and at Wood's strange head wrench, tractor mechanic Calvin Frost. Then Wood went out and blew the doors off Rosati, and the rest is history. To be fair, the 17 year-old Little John had never driven a late model [but I am not sure Chet had either].


Courtesy of Steve Pecor
Chester T. at Catamount with the giant - killing [er, Rosati - beating] Plymouth.


    Eventually Chet disappointed all his loyal fans and built a attractive 1962 Dodge [he used bondo and everything]. Chet never had as much luck with the Dodge; but, to be fair, the competition was really jacking up by then. After a fashion, we didn't see Chester T. Wood any more; but I felt lucky to have gotten one good look.


Ladabouche Photo
Chet disappointed his most die-hard fans when he unloaded this beauty in 1972.


Courtesy of Cho Lee.
An Early Coupe Win.

Courtesy of Pete Racine
Oops.
 

Courtesy of Cho Lee.
An Early Coupe.

Courtesy of Cho Lee
At an early
awards banquet
w/ Ken Squier


Courtesy of Cho Lee
Shaken up here
at T Road
.

Courtesy of Cho Lee
via Neal Davis
Chet runs to check on a spilled driver at T Road.

Courtesy of Dan Nolin
Chet
in  trouble in front of a large field. Notice the difference in quality with his car and most of the others.

Rich Palmer Collection
At Catamount,
opener 1972

Courtesy of Rich Palmer
Chet spent a lot
on professional
lettering, too.

Courtesy of Wayne Bettis
Chet
gets a little  overenthusiastic and gooses Tiller.

Courtesy of Wayne Bettis
Chet
is on his side. Wouldn't be shocked if got help from Marvin the Mauler.

Courtesy of Alex Alexander
The Wood Plymouth, after
an apparent bad night at Bear Ridge.

Courtesy of Dan Nolin
Chet even got a new
driving suit for the '62 Dodge.

Courtesy of Alex Alexander
That first Plymouth, after having been sold to Alex Alexander.

Courtesy of Alex Alexander
That first Plymouth, after having been sold to Alex Alexander.

Courtesy of Alex Alexander
That first Plymouth,
repainted as lucky 13 for Bear Ridge.

  
McIver Portrait    Courtesy of Cho Lee
Chester T. Wood


Courtesy of Alex Alexander
That first Plymouth, under Alexander colors.

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