John "Johnny" McArdell (October 28, 1934 – May 10, 2021) was an American Modified racing driver. He was one of few drivers to make the successful transition from flatheads to V8 powered engines.[1]
| John McArdell | |
|---|---|
| Born | John F. McArdell October 28, 1934 |
| Died | May 10, 2021 (aged 86) |
| Modified racing career | |
| Debut season | 1952 |
| Car number | 11 |
| Championships | 7 |
| Finished last season | 1977 |
Racing career
editIn 1952 McArdle and his brother Gale pooled their money to buy their first stock car, sharing driving duties at tracks like Lafayette and Brewerton Speedways.[2] He soon became a regular winner at the Central New York venues including the "Salt City 25", a NASCAR sanctioned event for flatheads at the Syracuse Mile. McArdell claimed track titles at Maple Grove in Waterloo (1960), Canandaigua Speedway (1960, 1964) and Weedsport Speedway(1963, 1968). Still competitive in the twilight of his career, McArdell was track champion at both Rolling Wheels Raceway in Elbridge and Skyline Raceway in Cortland in 1975.[1][3][4]
John McArdell was inducted into the Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame in 1995 and the New York State Stock Car Association Hall of Fame in 2019.[1][2][4]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame driver McArdell dies at 86". The Citizen. Auburn NY. May 11, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ a b "B'ville racer selected for Hall of Fame". The Messenger. Baldswinville NY. April 26, 1955. p. 15. Retrieved April 28, 2024 – via NYS Historic Newspapers.
- ^ Hill, John (July 12, 1996). "Old racers take laps at Waterloo". The Post-Standard. p. F1. Retrieved April 28, 2024 – via NewspaperArchive.
- ^ a b "Mike McLaughlin, Johnny McArdell, Jeff Heotzler & Charlie Langenstein To Be Inducted Into NYSSCA Hall Of Fame". Race Pro Weekly. December 13, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2024.