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TQ, MIDGET AND SPRINT CAR VETERAN
Gerald 'Jerry' Stover began his romance with speed on two wheels, drag racing his Triumph motorcycle at Maple Grove and Lancaster Dragways near his Brownstown, PA home. When Jerry discovered the Lanco Micro Midget Association, he put his knowledge of motorcycle engines to use, built a micro, and put himself on a path to success in the open cockpit world.
In addition to driving his own micro midgets, Jerry partnered with owner, Bob 'Shorty' Howe, driving the red and white #98 Jr. Jerry’s career in the micros culminated with the club's open class championship in 1964.
In the mid-1960s Jerry built his own Crosley powered ¾ midget roadster and left the micros to race with the American Three Quarter Midget Racing Association. Jerry later drove Hen Kramer's #25 Triumph motorcycle powered upright and the pair were regulars indoors at Convention Hall in Atlantic City, Friday nights at Pine Brook, NJ, and all along the ATQMRA trail.
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| Jerry Stover, Grandview TQ winner, in his own Crosley roadster #26 with starter Red Lesher, September 1968. |
Jerry made the move to the American Racing Drivers Club in 1968 and parlayed an early ride in the Bob Hanrahan Offy into his first ARDC feature win at East Windsor Speedway in New Jersey.
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| Jerry Stover and the Hanrahan Offy are surrounded by ARDC starter Lou Heller, New Jersey State Troopers and the mayor (YIKES !!) after his ARDC feature win at East Windsor Speedway on September 8, 1968. |
After racing for a number of owners, including Stan Branowski, Leigh Earnshaw, Sr., Joe Divine, and Hen Kramer, Jerry joined the Mike Sheehan team as teammate to Johnny Coy, who would become a four-time ARDC champion. Jerry still owns the ARDC record for 50 laps at Wall Stadium in Belmar, NJ, set 8-27-72 when he scored the feature win in Mike Sheehan’s Sesco.
Jerry eventually returned to long-time friend and car owner, Henry Kramer, to race winged sprint cars with the United Racing Club. The team appeared at speedways throughout the east coast. When Jerry’s open wheel career ended, he built his own Datsun powered mini-stock, just to stay involved in the sport he loved and have some fun. In recent years Jerry and his wife Gladys were active members of the Eastern Auto Racing Historical Society.
Jerry passed away at his home in Spring Hill, FL on Sunday, June 16, 2013, one day short of his 77th birthday. RIP good friend.
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| Jerry Stover, owner Hen Kramer, and crew pose with their #71 URC sprint car. |
EARHS Corporate Level Sponsors
Please support our sponsors
Weisel Racing Equipment, Inc. Orefield, PA
Plunkett & Graver, P.C. Allentown, PA
The Gang at Stoner Racing Enola, PA
High Speed Graphics Orefield, PA
Father & Son Spl. #33 Junie & Bing Metz
Reliable Auto Body Allentown, PA
John Schneider Allentown, PA
Leigh Earnshaw Ent. Morgantown, PA
Pocono Raceway Mattioli Foundation Long Pond, PA
Antonini Radiator Pottsville, PA
Midnight Machine Works Eddie Gittens Mountaintop, PA
Jim & Donna Hontz Bethlehem, PA
Freddy Adam - The Kutztown Komet From Freddy's family, friends, and fans
Bob and Carole Wilkey Hollsopple, PA & COLORADO
Your monetary sponsorship in any denomination or donations of historically significant items, photos, documents, etc. toward projects undertaken by the EARHS are welcomed and encouraged. EARHS is recognized as a federally tax exempt charity by the IRS under Section 501c(3).
EARHS "wants and needs"
Wanted: Racing photo collections – share and preserve programs. If you have vintage racing photos, EARHS would like to be able to scan and copy these items. All items will be returned intact and we can provide you with a computer disc of those items from significant collections. We are especially interested in Dorney Park items from the 1940’s, 1950’s, and 1960’s and all Allentown Fair items, including indoor racing events, but all items are welcome.
Wanted: Showcases and display cases. Often cases of unusual configuration can be used for displays of trophies and memorabilia. Also, race programs from the '55 & '58 Allentown Fair.
We continue to fill our showroom - all members are invited to visit and check our progress. Please call Pete (610 398-2188) or Paul (610 395-5303) to arrange a time to visit.
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