Gus Linder - Heidelberg, PA 1950s

HEIDELBERG, PA — Mid-1950s: Gus Linder looks out the side window of his Modified stock car after the hood flew up, blocking his vision during a race at Heidelberg Speedway. Linder, along with his older brother Dick Linder, were top drivers in and around their Pittsburgh, PA, home. Gus Linder’s career spanned the years 1951 through 1968, and he was the 1959 Tri-State champion at Heidelberg. When his home track went to running Late Model stock cars in 1961, Linder turned to Sprint Cars, running the tough circuits of Central and Western Pennsylvania, driving for car owner Mickey Banas in a car powered by a 289 cubic inch Ford engine against the more popular Chevrolet powerplants. Linder became a top runner at such PA tracks as Williams Grove Speedway, Lincoln Speedway and Port Royal Speedway. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)