Dale Funk - Kentucky Moonshiner

[none]

Racing Bill Pryor, Indy, but not sure the year - '75 or '76?

Don't remember, but I think Dale got the car stopped ok. Of course, the laundry was already coming out...

 

[Prestaged]

English Frakes & Funk!

Has there ever been a more cool team name?

My brother and I were there and if he had not got the car stopped I think I would remember.

 

[jackass]

great shot.. wing colapsing.. chute coming out... and a not so brite track official standing proped up on the rail...lol....

but then again.. this is from the days of playing safe in the back yard with LAWN DARTS....lol...

Billy

 

[d'kid]

Billy....

We'd tune the Lawn Darts up on the Bench Grinder first...

d'kid

 

[Butch]

If I remember Dale's car was built so that it would split behind the cage and they could slide another rear section to it.

 

[Rajunz]

That's a cool picture. Most of what we saw was black and white back then, usually in the pages of National Dragster.

Wow what a short car in comparison.

 

[onfire]

If I remember Dale's car was built so that it would split behind the cage and they could slide another rear section to it.

You are correct, Harry. Two complete back halves went to every race. One on the car and one in the trailer.

Late............Mitch

 

[Al smith]

And don't forget the Upholstery on that car. Dale rested his back and neck on a dirty pillow duct taped to the main hoop and cage. Or maybe thats where he hid his can of beer that he had in his hand when the crew reached him at top end? Funny story that.

 

[James]

I think that's 75. I went to Indy in 76 and they said it was Dale's last race, he was retiring after the event. He lost in the first round, losing the motor in the lights and getting the car up on three wheels. What a way to be remembered!! Did they win E-town one year?

 

[kingcobrafan]

I think that's 75. I went to Indy in 76 and they said it was Dale's last race, he was retiring after the event. He lost in the first round, losing the motor in the lights and getting the car up on three wheels. What a way to be remembered!! Did they win E-town one year?

James, that's the first thing I see whenever I think of the KY Moonshiners. Dale in the Indy lights at 45 degrees!

 

[Watchman]

Here is a funny Frakes and Funk story I remember as a teen-ager.

Dale Funk had just gotten beat very badly on a holeshot. I was standing next to my Dad as he was talking to Dale after the run. They were laughing but trying to hide it. Dale had told Robert Frakes that somehow the clutch pedal got hung up and that is why he was late. The body panels were off and Robert was bent over playing with the pedal. He looked up and saw Dale laughing at him and took off after him. I don't think he ever caught him but Robert sure was mad.
That was so funny. Dale was always one of my favorites. He was friendly to everyone. Even the kids. He was also very very funny to listen to. One of my favorite things to do was be with my dad as he would talk to other drivers. Frank Bradley, Pat Dakin, Dick Lahaie, Big Daddy and others I actually liked rain delays because that meant we would go to someones trailer and they would talk. Seems like yesterday.

Mike

 

[James]

Here is a funny Frakes and Funk story I remember as a teen-ager.

Dale Funk had just gotten beat very badly on a holeshot. I was standing next to my Dad as he was talking to Dale after the run. They were laughing but trying to hide it. Dale had told Robert Frakes that somehow the clutch pedal got hung up and that is why he was late. The body panels were off and Robert was bent over playing with the pedal. He looked up and saw Dale laughing at him and took off after him. I don't think he ever caught him but Robert sure was mad.
That was so funny. Dale was always one of my favorites. He was friendly to everyone. Even the kids. He was also very very funny to listen to. One of my favorite things to do was be with my dad as he would talk to other drivers. Frank Bradley, Pat Dakin, Dick Lahaie, Big Daddy and others I actually liked rain delays because that meant we would go to someones trailer and they would talk. Seems like yesterday.

Mike

You've got some great memories to share Mike, and your Dad was a hero to all the Chevy lovers.

 

[kingcobrafan]

Here is a funny Frakes and Funk story I remember as a teen-ager.

Dale Funk had just gotten beat very badly on a holeshot. I was standing next to my Dad as he was talking to Dale after the run. They were laughing but trying to hide it. Dale had told Robert Frakes that somehow the clutch pedal got hung up and that is why he was late. The body panels were off and Robert was bent over playing with the pedal. He looked up and saw Dale laughing at him and took off after him. I don't think he ever caught him but Robert sure was mad.
That was so funny. Dale was always one of my favorites. He was friendly to everyone. Even the kids. He was also very very funny to listen to. One of my favorite things to do was be with my dad as he would talk to other drivers. Frank Bradley, Pat Dakin, Dick Lahaie, Big Daddy and others I actually liked rain delays because that meant we would go to someones trailer and they would talk. Seems like yesterday.

Mike

Good one, Mike! Thanks for sharing!