New Britain, CT Sports Hall of Fame
Ed Flemke, Sr.
A legend in stock car racing...first competed in 1948, dominated at Riverside in the 1950's, winning 22 races and track championships in 1956 and 1958...during the 1960's and early 1970's finished first 24 times at Utica/Rome Speedway...won 11 races there in 1964, had 10 wins at 100 laps or more, including twin 200-lappers in 1970...track champion, 1970...by 1960's had raced from Maine to Carolina, was known as the "Eastern Bandit," a tribute to his winnings ways and driving skills...in 1960's and early 1970's won 23 times at Stafford including first asphalt race...winner of the 1973 Spring Sizzler and the Stafford 200, and the Thompson 300 in 1977...mentored such renowned drivers as Pete Hamilton, winner of the 1970 Daytona 500, and Richie Evans, 9-time NASCAR champion.
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