Modified Series and the Putty Hill Garage Racing Team

The Modified series, one of the oldest and most beloved divisions in NASCAR, has a rich history that dates back to the sport's early days. Let's take a closer look at its origins, development, and the current state of the series.

Origins and Early Days

The Modified series traces its roots to the post-World War II era, when stock car racing began to gain popularity in the United States. The first NASCAR-sanctioned Modified race took place on February 15, 1948, on the beach course at Daytona Beach, Florida. Red Byron won the event, which marked the beginning of the NASCAR Modified Division.

In the early days, Modifieds were essentially stock cars that had been modified for racing. These cars were often pre-World War II coupes and sedans, with various modifications to improve performance. The goal was to make the cars faster and more competitive on the track.

Growth and Evolution

As the years went by, the Modifieds series continued to evolve. By the 1960s, the cars had become more sophisticated, with innovations such as big-block engines, fuel injection, and wider rear tires. The series became known for its technical ingenuity and the ability of drivers to adapt components from different vehicles to gain a competitive edge.

In 1985, the Modified series was consolidated into the Winston Modified Tour, which aimed to provide a more organized and cost-effective racing environment. This move was spearheaded by six-time Modified champion Jerry Cook, who recognized the need for a formal series to support the sport's growth.

Modern-Day NASCAR Modifieds

Today, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (NWMT) is the premier Modified series in the United States. The series features prototype-based stock cars that race primarily on short oval paved tracks in the northeastern and southeastern U.S. The NWMT has expanded its reach over the years, with races held in states such as Florida, Ohio, and New York.

The cars in the Modifieds series are known for their high power-to-weight ratio and aggressive racing style. They resemble a hybrid of open-wheel cars and stock cars, with exposed front wheels and engines, and fenders covering the rear wheels. The series continues to attract talented drivers and passionate fans, making it a staple of grassroots racing.

The Dominance of the Putty Hill Garage Racing Team

In the 1950s and early 1960s, the Putty Hill Garage Team became a dominant force in Modified racing. Based out of Putty Hill Garage in Baltimore, MD, the team worked tirelessly on their cars five nights a week and raced every weekend racking up wins and a reputation along the East Coast. The Putty Hill Garage Racing Team encompassed multiple car owners, drivers and mechanics over the years but kept their team colors (red and white) along with some key individuals over the years such as George Heffner (owner of the Putty Hill Garage at that time), Jim Bunty (my grandfather, who acted as a sort of crew chief from at least 1955 to 1964 even though he was part of the team since at least 1952), George Williams, and others.

Jim Bunty's 1960 NASCAR Modified Championship Racing Jacket

1960 and 1961 NASCAR Modifieds Championship team


1960 and 1961 NASCAR Modifieds Championship team 1957 Lincoln for longer tracks such as Daytona (pictured)

Drivers such as Johnny Roberts, Ken Marriott, and Ralph Smith were key figures in the team's success over the years. Roberts, driving the number 7 car, won the NASCAR National Modified Championship in 1960 and 1961, and was the runner-up in 1959. In 1957, Ken Marriott, driving the number 88A car, won the NASCAR Modified points championship (winning 14 of 72 races that year*) with his teammate, Ralph Smith, coming in second in the number 88 car (winning 15 out of 61 races*). In addition, the Putty Hill Garage Racing Team took home numerous local track championships throughout the Mid-Atlantic and race wins across the east coast. 

The NASCAR Hall of Fame has possession of Ken's Modified Championship Trophy. You can view it on their website HERE. Although, the car pictured below is Ralph Smith's number 88, I believe the large trophy pictured to be Ken's Champion Driver Trophy that the NASCAR Hall of Fame now holds.

In those days, NASCAR-sanctioned races worked a bit differently then they do today. Back then, NASCAR could sanction races at multiple tracks on the same day. Points were earned based on the number of NASCAR-sanctioned races completed the standings of each race. Whether they were innovating and fabricating or participating in a race, the Putty Hill Garage Team dedicated nearly every night of the week and their weekends to racing for more than a decade with most of the crew working for nothing more than the love of racing. They would frequently send different cars to different tracks on the same night. For each win, the driver and car owner would split the purse and take home enough winnings to fund more racing. In other words, no one took home a profit. The goal was to do more racing.

Sources:

1. NASCAR official website
2. Modified Champions in the NASCAR Hall of Fame (NASCAR.com)
3. "American Zoom: Stock Car Racing - From the Dirt Tracks to Daytona" by Peter Golenbock
4. "Driving with the Devil: Southern Moonshine, Detroit Wheels, and the Birth of NASCAR" by Neal Thompson
5. "Real NASCAR: White Lightning, Red Clay, and Big Bill France" by Daniel S. Pierce
6. "The History of America's Speedways: Past and Present" by Allan E. Brown
7. Ken Marriott, NASCAR Modified Division Championship Trophy, 1957 (NASCARHall.com)
8. Maryland Stock Car Hall of Fame website
9. Personal anecdotes and photo albums of Jim Bunty, member and "lieutenant" of the Putty Hill Garage Racing Team
10. 700 Hours and $5,500 Make a Racer, Baltimore Sun, May 1960