Putty Hill Garage Racing Team from 1954 to 1957

Putty Hill Garage Racing Team from 1954 to 1957

From 1954 to 1957 was the Ralph Smith and Ken Marriott Era for the Putty Hill Garage Racing Team. It was in this timeframe that the team started to really build their reputation and prove their skills as a team with Championship drivers. Ralph piloted the Number 88. Ken Marriott drove the 88A.

Ken Marriott went on to win the NASCAR Modified Championship in 1957. The NASCAR Hall of Fame now has possession of that championship trophy. Below, you'll see photos of that trophy on the hood of the 88 car in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Ralph Smith captured the Free State Stock Car Racing Association Championship (Maryland) in both 1954 and 1955. He was also runner up to his teammate, Ken Marriott, in the NASCAR Modified Championship in 1957.

The Eras of the Putty Hill Garage Teams

If you haven't already, I would suggest starting on our Legacy of the Putty Hill Garage Racing Teams post first.

Putty Hill Garage Racing Team from 1952-1953
Putty Hill Garage Racing Team from 1954-1957 (You are here)
Putty Hill Garage Racing Team from 1958-1959
Nite Crawlers Racing Team from 1960-1961
Putty Hill Garage and Gastrock Racing Teams from 1962-1964

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1955

  • Ralph Smith (88)

    The number 88 car in the Putty Hill Garage in 1955. Ralph captured the 1955 Free State Stock Car Racing Association championship with this car in 1955.

  • Win at Ritchie Raceway in 1955

    This was an official track photo taken after a win at Ritchie Raceway in Glen Burnie, Maryland. George Heffner is pictured in the lower right corner. Mechanic, "Dingo", is standing on the far right. Freestate Stock Car Association started Bob Gorsuch is pictured front and center in the plaid cap. Flag Assistant starter, Chick Little, is on the left. Drive Ralph Smith is pictured standing in the center.

1956

  • Becoming 88A

    A body and frame sit on stands on its way to becoming the 88A. As the story goes, the team would take both cars to some races to race together in order to beat the 88 and win the track bounty set on themselves.

  • Ken Marriott (88A)

    Ken Marriott after a win in the 88A car at a Pennsylvania racetrack in 1956.

1956 - 1957

  • Members of the Putty Hill Racing Team

    Taken with a Polaroid camera in either 1956 or 1957, some members of the Putty Hill Garage Racing Team surround the number 88 car outside of an Amoco gas station.

  • Members of the Putty Hill Racing Team

    Taken with a Polaroid camera in either 1956 or 1957, some members of the Putty Hill Garage Racing Team surround the number 88 car outside of an Amoco gas station. Based on the flames markings on the roof of the car, these Polaroids were most likely taken in 1957.

  • Jim Bunty and George Heffner

    Jim Bunty on the left, George Heffner in the red racing jacket on the right, and another member of the racing team stand next to the number 88A car driven by Ken Marriott. The individual in between them has not yet been identified. This caption will be updated once he is.

  • Jim Bunty and Ralph Smith

    Ralph Smith (driver) on the right, Jim Bunty (second from the left) and two other members of the racing crew stand next to the number 88 car after a win at Alcyon Speedway in New Jersey in 1956 or 1957. Photo taken by track photographer, Bob Sweeten.
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1957

  • Ralph Smith in Action

    Ralph Smith during a race in 1957.

  • Ralph Smith Takes the Win

    Ralph Smith holds the checkered flag after a win in 1957.

  • Ralph Smith and Ken Marriott

    Teammates Ralph Smith and Ken Marriott racing front and back on Memorial Day in 1957.

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1957

Ralph Smith at Alcyon

Ralph Smith poses with his car at Alcyon Speedway in New Jersey in 1957.

1957

Trophies at Daytona

The Putty hill Garage Racing Team show off their trophies with Ralph Smith's number 88 in Daytona Beach, Florida in 1957. Ken Marriott took home the NASCAR Modified Championship. Ralph Smith was runner up. NASCAR Hall of Fame has possession of Ken's 1st place trophy pictured here.

1957

Trophies at Daytona

Two members of the Putty hill Garage Racing Team pose with Ralph Smith's number 88 in Daytona Beach, Florida in 1957.

1957

Trophies at Daytona

The Putty hill Garage Racing Team show off their trophies with Ralph Smith's number 88 in Daytona Beach, Florida in 1957. Ken Marriott took home the NASCAR Modified Championship. Ralph Smith was runner up. NASCAR Hall of Fame has possession of Ken's 1st place trophy pictured here.

1957

Proud Winners

One member of the Putty hill Garage Racing Team poses with Ralph Smith's number 88 and the team's trophies in Daytona Beach, Florida in 1957.

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Inspired by the 1960 National Modified Champion Racing Jackets worn by the real team

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