Throwback Thursday: Dirt Track Duffers (1974)

Larry Lawrence | March 24, 2016

This week’s Throwback Thursday photo takes us back to 1974 and a look at the media buildup for the AMA Grand National Half-Mile at the Adams Country Fairgrounds near Denver that year. The shot shows AMA pros (L to R) David Aldana, Terry Dorsch and Frank Gillespie posing with their golf clubs at what appears to be the old Ascot Park. This photo was part of a press release package promoting a golf tournament at the Adams County Golf Course pitting AMA pro racers against Denver area celebrities, including members of the Denver Broncos, the Denver Rockets and area radio disc jockeys and TV sportscasters.

The news release said the tournament winner would earn $1000.

Gillespie humorously was quoted as saying he was sure he would win the tournament and gave a hint of his strategy, something right out of Caddyshack.

“I might hire a few noisy kids to cough and whistle when the other guys are shooting,” he joked.

Harley-Davidson’s Mert Lawwill went on to win the national that weekend, which was dubbed “The Denver Gold Cup.”

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