…And pushing the field is last week’s winner, driving the orange and black number 511 Dodge, from faraway Brockway, Squirt Johns!
Those words by Lloyd Williams, track announcer at Stateline Speedway in Busti, NY, were music to the ears of race fans at that border oval from 1957-1970. Williams’ words were always greeted with a thunderous ovation as one of the most popular drivers in the history of Stateline assumed his position at the rear of the starting grid. They knew they were in store for another patented charge to the checkers by the talented Brockway throttle stomper.
The Mengle Memorial Library, 324 Main Street, Brockway, Pennsylvania, will premiere “SQUIRT”, a documentary film chronicling the racing career of Stanley L. “Squirt” Johns, on Thursday, October 24, 2013, at 7 p.m.
A second showing will occur on Sunday, November 3rd, 2:00 p.m. at the Robert H. Jackson Center, 305 E. 4th St., Jamestown, NY
The movie, written and produced by Randy Anderson, Greg Peterson and Randy Sweeney, all of Lakewood, NY, highlights the prolific stock car racing accomplishments of the former owner of The Johns Garage in Brockway.
Using video-taped interviews with Johns and dozens of other racers, the priceless collection of the late racing photographer Gordon Mahan, and vintage home movies, the film makers have brought to the screen the fantastic racing years of the big man known far and wide by just one name – Squirt.
From his very first race in 1950 at Clarion Park, to his final effort at Clearfield in 1974, Squirt was honored and respected for his mechanical genius and driving ability. Racing at multiple tracks throughout Pennsylvania and New York, he racked up countless race victories and track championships. Always approachable and friendly, he was a fan-favorite, especially to children.
Following the viewing of the 55-minute movie, Squirt and the producers will engage in a question and answer session with the audience.
“SQUIRT” is the second auto racing film from Anderson, Peterson and Sweeney. Their previous documentary was “Stateline Speedway – The First Ten Years, 1956-1964.”
The film “SQUIRT” is a production of the Stateline Legacy Fund of Jamestown, NY in cooperation with the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame. There will be no admission charged. DVD copies of the film will be available for purchase.
For further information, contact Randy Anderson, Stateline Legacy Fund.