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     When Dick Nephew and Bill Wimble tiued for the 1961 NASCAR National Sportsman championship, several factors were in place: 1.) racing excellence in rural Northern New York state was represented by both men; 2.) the two men were entirely different from one another; and 3.) neither was particularly pleased with the way the whole tie thing came about. Both men insisted NASCAR pulled strings to allow the other to tie with them. I had the pleasure of talking to Wimble, for the first time in my life, in the summer of 2005 - at Airborne Speedway. Nice man. But, I knew Dick Nephew somewhat better, having written articles on him, and having visited with him at his home, on the Canadian border in Cannon Corners, New York.
    Dick Nephew [probably Neveu at some point back in the family history], was a broad - shouldered, profoundly powerful man who was capable of not only manhandling those ill-handling coupes in his day, but also of coming back in his 50's and winning modified races again - in an Olson Eagle. He spoke with more than a trace of the French Canadian accent.
    When I think of Dick and that house in the far northern reaches of New York, I think of my son, Seth - about 9 at that time. Seth went with me for one of Nephew interviews, and he never got over the fawn Dick had preserved in formelgahyde in a pickle jar. Dick had come upon the baby deer after it and the mother had been killed - and he felt the compulsion to preserve the little creature.

EARLY	FORD	HOBBY CARS
Nephew Family Collection One of Dick's earliest cars.	Nephew Family Collection Same early ride.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Dick takes the inside to set up the car 101 [left]...
Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock and blows by him on the inside. His car 7 gets sideways as Dick hits the gas.	Nephew Family Collection The Palmetier car, after apparently close action. That's OK - it looks like Dick did a lot of the work on the car anyway, as shown in the next photo.	Nephew Family Collection Early 6 7/8 car, probably with mechanic George Palmetier of Chazy, NY. Dick and Ben Nephew [left] apparently did a lot of the work. Palmetier is seated in the car.
Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Dick, with what might be the same car as seen in the next row down.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock An Airborne win, with flagger Art Prairie [rt] and Palmetier.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Dick takes a win in the 1959 or 1960 ice races at Airborne.
Bob Mackey Photo viaMike Watts, Sr. Dick [2nd from right] in converation with Mooers Forks neighbor Dick Goodell [lft] and Ben Nephew [rt]. Could be Earl Nephew with back to camera.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Dick lines up the Palmetier beside Don Hayes in the late '50's. Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Dick at Syracuse after having bought the car.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Dick poses with the Palmetier car. It is somewhat likely he bought one of those cars, took off the 7/8 and ended up with his signature #6.
Courtesy of Gary Nephew Ross Reil helps an injured Dick out of the George Palmetier 6 7/8 car. Dick was a tough son of a gun- he must have been nearly dying to accept help like this.	Courtesy of Gary Nephew A 1957 Riverside win.	Nephew Family Photo Some people will race anything, anywhere. This is a 1960's Airborne winter race. This is the year of the red Ford, only in winter before he painted it.
Pascal Magnum Site Photo A 6 and 7/8 era win- at a Quebec track [maybe Riverside]. Flagger is Paul Demers. This could be a Palmetier car or Dick's.	Nephew Family Collection Dick works on a newly-built version similar to the 6 7/8's.	Nephew Family Collection This earlier Ford stock car is very likely the one shown at left. I don't know who is working on it or where they were, but this Car was taken to Daytona in 1960.
THE FIRST	BIG DAYTONA	ADVENTURE
8MM Film Footage Capture The Source is Not Certain Nephew and others towed the yellow Ford all the way to Florida. In the modified/sportsman race he was caught up in the "big one". He is straight above Wimble's 33, about to meet a flipping coupe.	8MM Film Footage Capture Past & Present NASCAR Corner Similar footage, but in color: Dick is seen up close and personal with a flipping car. Wimble is clearly seen at bottom. Wimble and that car 99 both came in high in the finish, having avoided contact.	8MM Film Footage Capture Source is Not Certain This is from a 3rd [color] 8 MM film: Nephew is seen exitting the wreck scene [far right] under his own power.
8MM Film Footage Capture The Source is Not Certain Nephew pitted twice after the crash. This one is the 2nd - in a rain delay.	8MM Film Footage Capture The Source is Not Certain One of the Nephews opens the hood as others begin to assess the minor damage during his first pit stop.	8MM Film Footage Capture The Source is Not Certain A young Eddie Pieniazek from Schenectady, jumps in and helps despite not being a Nephew crew member.
8MM Film Footage Capture The Source is Not Certain Eddie Pieniazek calls for a tool or maybe a part in mid pit stop.	8MM Film Footage Capture The Source is Not Certain Pieniazek returns to the task. Future national champion Rene Charland can clearly be seen above Ed's shoulder as the stop becomes a Northeastern US race cooperation.	8MM Film Footage Capture Past & Present NASCAR Corner Similar footage, but in color: Same subject matter as previous photo.
8MM Film Footage Capture The Source is Not Certain Dick heads back out for what I am sure was some more white knuckle, high speed driving.
THE RED 6 ERA	LEADING TO THE	NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Nephew Family Collection Probably the first #6 This one was a Ford . It may be the Daytona car with body added.	Nephew Family Collection Nephew in Canada, going by an Andre Manny spinout. Check out the tree guy. This is Riverside.	Nephew Family Collection Nephew talks with Andre Manny, with what may well be Mr. Foley, Riverside promoter. Dick had no problem firing off the French.
Nephew Family Collection Nephew in Victory Lane at Riverside with Paul Demers, flagger. I don't Know the presenter.	Nephew Family Collection Dick, with both sons in Victory Lane in Canada. It looks like little Gary Nephew is being interviewed.	Pascal Magnum Site Photo A portrait, around this era. All that racing in Canada helped Dick finish high in the national standings in 1960.
Nephew Family Collection Dick, driving the late model Chevy of Dick Foley, track owner's son. This may very well have been the car Dick Foley was driving when his momentary bobble triggered the biggest crash in NASCAR history at Daytona in 1960.	Nephew Family Photo This photo was labeled as 1965, but it doesn't look like the one he was usually photographed with that year..	Nephew Family Photo Courtesy opf Phil Butler This photo was obviously taken at home. It shows an exceptionally sharp Ford, as yet unraced.
Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock The '37 Ford at speed, taking to the outside to pass at Airborne.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock The '37 Ford at speed, taking to the inside against George Bridges.

Nephew's quest for NASCAR points in the early 1960's brought him to race all over the East, including some of the Daytona Permatex races. The championship year, he would often race in two entirely different regions of the East Coast on the same weekend. Dick recalled how exhausting it was and what a strain this was on his business and for his family.

THE NASCAR	NATIONAL SPORTSMAN	CO-CHAMPIONSHIP
Third Turn.com Dick finished 2nd to Wimble in 1960.	John Grady Photo Dick became acquainted with Allie Swears, of Glens Fall, NY when he ran the familiar Swears 51 at Fonda. He knew that, in order to gain major points, you had to run Speedweeks.	Nephew Family Photo Nephew in the Swears Sportsman. at Daytona.
Nephew Family Photo Allie Swears, of Glens Fall, NY walks by Dick in the Daytona pits.	Nephew Family Collection Nephew at Daytona with Swears' 1955 Chevy sportsman around 1961	Nephew Family Photo The Swears crew studies a problem with the sportsman.
Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watt, Sr. The Swears car awaits practice.	AFTER Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watt, Sr. Dick and Mrs. Nephew.	Nephew Family Photo The Swears crew.
Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watt, Sr. Dick dutifully poses with the Swears car as Bob Mackey photographed the photographer.	Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watt, Sr. Dick looks like this may have been a serious problem.	Nephew Family Photo The Swears car getting TLC.
Nephew Family Photo Modeling what was fairly state - of - the - art communication gear for that time.	Nephew Family Photo The Swears car out for practice.	Nephew Family Photo Beginning the championship year with a new Chevy.

Nephew Family Photo Towing the 1961 entry with the family car.	Photo Source Unknown Dick in the most familiar picture - in the co-Champion campaign.	Nephew Family Photo A bump on the road to the title.
Photo Source 8MM FIlm Capture Source Unknown Dick ran for points all over, including here at Fury Speedway, Fabreville, QU.	Photo Source 8MM FIlm Capture Source Unknown More from Fury Speedway, Fabreville, QU.	John Grady Photo A 1961 photo from a strange angle.
Nephew Family Collection The 1961 trophy presentation in Florida. Dick and Bill. If you could zoom in more, you could notice each has the other's trophy.	Ladabouche Photo Courtesy of Gary Nephew The 1961 National Sportsman Championship Trophy. [The correct one].	Courtesy of Gary Nephew A slip of paper with Dick's total income from the 1960 season. Big bucks !
Courtesy of Gary Nephew A receipt for the money Dick made for attaining the national co - championship. Ridiculous or what ?	Courtesy of Gary Nephew The two national points chasers on the same program at a Canadian track. Riverside.	Courtesy of Gary Nephew Part of the crew for the national points chases. Dick, Earl Nephew, and maybe Ross Reil. But it also looks a little like Dick Goodell.
Courtesy of Gary Nephew The 1961 championship car - different angle.	Courtesy of Gary Nephew Victory Lane, with Mr. Broderick and an unnamed onlooker.	Courtesy of Gary Nephew Dick would lose his best mechanic a couple of years after the championship. The Reil accident.
Courtesy of Gary Nephew There are some photos that i can't place. This one looks like it belongs here.
THE POST	CHAMPIONSHIP CAMPAIGN	YEARS
Mike Watts Photo Dick shared this Studebaker mod with Rod Ritchie, thus the strange number. Co - owner Fran Kane is behind the car.	Courtesy of Gary Nephew Dick, with that odd-looking Studebaker - bodied car Fran Kane and Denton Dow built for him and Rod Ritchie. This is at Saranac Lk. Speedway.	ebay Photo Dick and Baumie once raced each other at Airborne - now it occurred occasionally at Victoria [and Fonda].
ACT Archives Courtesy of Cho Lee A NASCAR win at Thunder Road, around 1965.	John Grady Photo A later, pavement - oriented coupe at Malta, around mid 1960's. City Taxi was a loyal sponsor during those years.	Nephew Family Collection Nephew with benefactor and friend, Shadow Broderick, of City Taxi. The firm still exists today.
John Grady Photo At one point during this time period, Dick went to this Falcon-bodied mod, owned out of Massena, NY by Don Brothers,Nephew's bro - in - law.	Pascal Magnum Site Likely Gerard Favreau Photo The family poses in the pits at Champion Speedway. Dick ran it there, at Malta, maybe Ft. Covington, and other venues. Whoever took the photo didn't know who Dick was.	Gerard FavreauPhoto Dick poses at Champion Speedway, a short-lived track near Bedford, QU.
Gerard Favreau Photo Nephew, in the mod feature lineup at Champion Speedway.	Courtesy of Gary Nephew Dick talks with Lennie Bosley [L&R Speed Shop] by the Falcon Dick drove for one of his in - laws. This is either Malta or Airborne.	Courtesy of Gary Nephew The less - known Rowe entry that was run by Nephew and others in the 1960's.
Courtesy of Tom Neff Nephew, looks relieved to win at Saranac Lake Speedway with an obviously - overheating car. 1960's.	Bob Frazier Photo Ladabouche Collection Easily his best - known car, the Moto-Ski sponsored one he ran at Devil's Bowl and PIR in 1971.	Courtesy of Gary Nephew The Moto Ski car. Dick was good about sticking around to meet fans.
Courtesy of Gary Nephew Dick and Wes Moody, rescuing Bud Goodspeed from a burning car at Devil's Bowl.	Nephew Family Collection Nephew at Daytona with Swears' 1955 Chevy around 1962.	Nephew Family Collection Nephew at Daytona with the second Swears car , right behind old rival Bill Wimble.
Bob Frazier Photo Cavalcade of Auto Racing Another Thunderbird Mobile Homes car.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Posing with a delighted kid beside the Moto Ski car in 1971.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Helping Harold Healey with the car 50 NY probably a little earlier than the time period we are in now.
Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock With Airborne photographer and track official Bob Mackey.	Frank SImek Photo [obviously] A 1960's portrait, likely at Fonda.	Bob Mackey Photo via Phil Butler With a build like this, I wonder how many drivers mouthed off to Dick.
Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr. The Moto - Ski 6 crew at Airborne.	Glens Falls Post Star Dick does well in the Swears - owned Chevy. 1962.	Courtesy of Tom Neff Dick follows Charlie Draper and rides beside Mackie Miller at Saranac Lake.
Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Dick starts on the outside pole in a plain coupe - not his usual look.	John Grady Photo That plain coupe wins one at Malta.	Bob Frazier Photo via CVRA Another shot of the Moto - Ski car. There were many.
Bob Frazier Photo via JMarty Kelly Jr. Dick wins another at Devil's Bowl.

THE NORTHERN

NASCAR LATE MODEL

SPORTSMAN CAMPAIGN

Dick's attempt at running with the Northern NASCAR late model sportsman ranks was probably among his more frustrating times in racing. He had a big, heavy Dodge and it never really got untracked. He didn't stay with it very long. Of all the old Airborne hands, only the low-dollar team of Danny Bridges had much luck. Nephew, Branham, Griffith, and others had little success.

Plattsburgh Press Republican The first, but not final retirement.	Plattsburgh Press Republican Dick was coaxed out of retirement around 1982 by Wes Moody, who was then to promote Airborne. Moody put him in thihs, Wes' Olsen Eagle.	Plattsburgh Press Republican Dick makes Charlie WIlbur work for the position.
Richard Pratt Photo Dick poses with the Eagle.	A and A WardPhoto Dick on the gas with the Eagle	Nephew Family Collection The second version of the Olsen Eagle. He ran this color in 1985.
Ladabouche Photo Dick's Olsen Eagle, shown at Airborne now as an antique racer, around 2010. 2 - time national champ Bill Wimble [with whom Dick tied in 1961] is partially seen at right.	Courtesy of C.J. Richards via Wes Moody Nephew, after a win at one of the CVRA tracks. Vedry blurry.	Courtesy of Gary Nephew NASCAR Hall of Fame with Bill France Jr. Ernie Gahan is at right.
1984 saw Dick's return to racing with top -shelf equipment. He ended up finishing 2nd or 3rd in the points and winning multiple features.	Plattsburgh Press Republican Dick and Charlie Wilbur both win features.	1985 was another strong year, winning multiple features. He finished around 5th or 6th in points.

Plattsburgh Press Republican Dick was 5th in the standings in July.	1986 was a little less productive. He finished around 5th or 6th in points. I am not sure if he won any features.	Plattsburgh Press Republican Again, Dick was 5th in the standings in July.
His 1987 started well - he won a feature. I couldn't find much on how he finished. By year's end he hinted at retirement [again].	Plattsburgh Press Republican Dick was set to retire.	Just kidding ! 1988 started off with an anouncement he was in the field for the first rae. The Press Republican featured a photo of him.
Plattsburgh Press Republican Dick apparently stuck with Egglefield Ford and the yellow color scheme after that first year of red with Budweiser.	Plattsburgh Press Republican This was typical. After July, I found no more news clippings with his name.	Rooseveltown Indian Time Dick's final honor was finishing 8th at Frogtown Speedway in 1988.

Bill Ladabouche Photo The Mason Dodge Charger, towing into Catamount in 1972.	Devils Bowl Program Photo by Bob Frazier A pose with the Charger.	Photo Source Unknown Dick doesn't look all that thrilled to be driving this big LMS, but it was the show in town.
	Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr. Dick poses with an Airborne flagger with the Dodge.