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11 | The Ghost of Playland Park I t was 1954 and Beauchamp was behind the wheel of a Swanson-­ owned race car once again, lured back to old model racing by the opportunity to team up with the motor magician.1 The Playland track had changed its rules, reverting to the 1950 standard: straight stock cars. The cars could not be souped up with expensive racing parts. Another important change had occurred in the middle of the 1953 season, when officials began allowing even older models, such as those from 1933 and 1934.2 With these rule changes, cars from neighboring tracks, such as those in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Sioux City, Iowa, that permitted the older-­ style autos, could visit Playland without major mechanical adjustments. Swanson saw a new type of challenge he liked. He believed he could a build a race car that, with Beauchamp behind the wheel, could win a championship . The new rules were likely to create a great show. The competition at the Playland track was stronger than when Swanson last owned a car. Newcomer Bob Kosiski, if he wasn’t the equal of Beauchamp , had the ability to win. In addition, Bud Burdick, winner of the 1953 season and multi-­ year champion on Nebraska ovals, was racing full time at Playland. Then there was Don Pash, the 1952 season champion, and Bobby Parker, powered with engines built by Ott Ramer, who fielded Indianapolis race cars. Swanson rarely participated in an enterprise without a high probability of success. Taking advantage of the new rules, he built a sporty black-­ and-­ white 1934 Ford, lighter than the 1939 Fords, and Beauchamp eagerly joined the quest for another track title. After the events of April 25 and May 9, the pattern was set. Bud Burdick and Johnny Beauchamp had each won a feature race. Beauchamp, by virtue of a slightly better performance in preliminary races, was twenty points ahead of Burdick. Burdick was a tough, clean-­ driving competitor who also flew airplanes, so he was accustomed to speed. A machine gunner in World War II, he had come under enemy fire and had a brave, battle-­hardened spirit. If one glanced quickly at Burdick, one could believe The Ghost of Playland Park | 57 one had seen the film star Vic Morrow, the tough guy in the Combat television series and a rough hoodlum kid in Blackboard Jungle. But despite his looks, Burdick was a happy, cheerful man, not looking to cause anyone extra trouble on or off the track. In third place was newcomer Bob Kosiski. These three would duel the entire season. Beauchamp won the third feature of the season, extending his point lead over Burdick, who had car trouble. On June 11, Don Pash won a feature in his first appearance of the season; then Burdick reeled off two more feature wins. He was now the track point leader, 89 points in front of Beauchamp. Burdick’s surge may have been the result of racing savvy. On May 21 the Playland oval was converted from dirt to smooth asphalt, which required different tires than those used on a dirt track. Burdick bought tires, smooth without tread, from a California manufacturer and was ready to race. After a few asphalt races, Burdick said to one of the other drivers using the dirt track tires, “You will never do well with those tires.”3 Among those learning this lesson was Beauchamp. Beginning on June 13 his car, well fortified with the proper tires, won four of five features. As Burdick and Beauchamp battled for the championship, officials struggled to keep order. One problem was cars with illegal parts. Burdick and Beauchamp, because they were winning races, were the prime targets of teardown inspections. Their cars always passed. On one occasion, Swanson was away on a fishing trip when the Harlan driver won a feature. Competitors, seizing an opportunity while the motor magician was away, paid the money for the teardown of 55. Beauchamp fought back: “You are not tearing that car down until Dale can watch.”4 He wanted to make sure Swanson was there to explain anything officials might question. Officials impounded the car until Swanson returned to observe the inspection; the car passed. Other drivers were not so lucky. Bob Kosiski won the Memorial Day Classic only to be disqualified because his car was not straight stock, and he was not the only one to get caught cheating. Jim Vana and Bill Peters also had cars...

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