1967: Walt Day's Cadillac

As we mourn the passing of legendary figure-eight car owner/builder Walt Day, I'd like to spotlight a few of his great cars. Please feel free to e-mail me if you find any mistakes or have anything you would like to add. I have to rely on my memory, and the notes I've taken, nosing around Walt and his drivers over the past thirty five years. Walt had a super sharp memory when it came to figure-eight racing, and was a very entertaining story teller as well. I'll certainly remember fondly all the conversations that he took the time to have with a pesky kid (and later adult) who loves old figure-eight cars and races. I'd also like to thank Bill Williams, John Beeson, and Ken Buchanan, for their insight and information pertaining to Walt and the good old days of Figure-eights at Evergreen Speedway.

Although it wasn't his first car, this week we'll focus on Walt's entry for the 1967 season, a black 1952 Cadillac 2-door hardtop. This June 24th,a Saturday, was the day for family and friends to unite in celebration of Walt's life. Thirty-nine years ago, Saturday June 24th,Walt,along with his family and friends
were celebrating winning the A trophy dash and A main event for the figure-eights at Monroe. Another very talented and colorful F.E.A.R. personality, Bill Williams, was behind the wheel of the Caddy.

With the largest figure-eight entry you'll see nowadays being a mid-seventies Chevelle or Monte Carlo, It's hard to fathom a 52 Cadillac being top dog on Evergreen's fifth-mile course. In 1967 one of the most popular vehicles of choice was the light weight 49-53 ford with a flat-head V-8.Walt however, liked a challenge; that being turning the unlikely vehicle into a winner. Just as he'd done in 1966,he chose a Cadillac-between drivers Williams and John Beeson he took home the season high points trophy. For '67 he went a step better and found the shorter of the two available caddy wheelbase options-7"less to be exact. Even at that rate, it out-weighed the fords, but had a clear horsepower advantage.1-3/4 .095 wall tubing was unheard of for short-track cages in those days, as the caddy sported square stock, probably 2-2-1/2".Given Walt's expertise at welding and fabrication, it looked great, fitting the roofline like a glove. Sponsors included J&G tire, Bills auto parts, and (Chuck) Olson Oldsmobile.

"Wild" Bill Williams went on to win the 1967 season championship in the black beauty. Back to that June 24th event, following Bill to that main event checkered were Paul Campbell, the "Wild Indian" Dave Dean, Steve Campbell, and Wayne Crum. Another soon to be household name in F.E.A.R. ranks won the B-main:"Crazy" Carl Zaretzke. Tom C., F.E.A.R. historian
 

Walt and daughter Margaret