6/3/2025
Bloomington Speedway
USAC Midgets and Bloomington Speedway: Where it Began
Midget racing at Bloomington Speedway reaches back to the days after WWII but when the Guts and Glory Gang came to the red clay in 1970 it was the first USAC race ever held at the grand old plant. It would be the last win for the legendary Bob Tattersall
The race at Bloomington was also scored by the late Ed Watson. Ed published several racing books, was involved in the formation of NAMAR (not be be confused with NAMARS) which was an attempt to bring unity to the midget racing world, and he was the driving force behind the formation of the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame. ---- some may also remember him as Wreckless the Clown
About Tattersall
Bob Tattersall was born on July 27, 1924, in Pennsbury, Pennsylvania. Through his racing exploits it is fair to say that he put his future hometown Streator, Illinois on the map. Known as “The Streator Streak” in America, or “Two Gun” in Australia and New Zealand, Bob was a truly bigger than life personality. For all he accomplished in midget racing in America, he was arguably a bigger star on the international stage.
Shortly after his high school graduation he was called to duty. It began with the 461st Amphibious Truck Company, but eventually he became a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division. Bob seemed to be right in the middle of the most intense action. Near the end of World War II, he was captured and spent a brief period as a P.O.W. but thankfully the end of the hostilities was near, and he was discharged on December 4, 1945. Among several honors he was awarded The Purple Heart and a Silver Star. Hungry for more action, he gravitated to racing. While recognized for his success in open wheel cars, Bob also spent plenty of time in stock cars, and it has been noted that he once won 27 of 29 features at the Mazon Speed Bowl. Still, by 1950 he had appeared in a midget at South Bend (IN) Speedway and scored his first win at Chicago’s 87th Street Speedway in May 1954.
By 1955 Tattersall was driving for Gary, Indiana owner Frank Pavese. Pavese’s car was equipped with a stout V8-60, and the chassis was a Kurtis Kraft that Vic Edelbrock had fielded on the West coast with Rodger Ward at the controls. Bob was ready to take on the tough United Auto Racing Association whose home base was the Joliet Memorial Stadium. Tattersall in this car, at this venue was pure magic, and he was the champion of the UARA in 1956 and 1959. Those lucky enough to see him handle that unique track still shake their heads at what they saw to this day.
After his second UARA crown Bob felt ready to race with USAC on a fulltime basis. He had scored a win with Jack Cunningham in 1957, but few were prepared for what was to come. He served notice in 1960 when he bagged four wins for four different owners and finished 5th in the final standings. From that point to the end of his career he would be a steady winner. In 1964 he was the best at the Hut Hundred at Terre Haute racing for Howard Linne. Then in 1965 he truly took off. Racing for Louisville, Kentucky owner Bob Nowicke he eclipsed the field with 12 wins, but was runner-up to Mike McGreevy in the title chase. In 1966 he won eight times, second only to Don Meacham, but dropped the 4th in the final rundown.
The beat seemingly went on. Tattersall would post strong win totals, but a championship continued to elude him. At times he was hampered by missing the early part of a season given his work in Australia and New Zealand. Regardless, it began to feel that one of the top stars in USAC midget racing would be forever denied a chance to climb to the top step of the podium. From 1967 through the 1969 season Bob raced primarily for Missouri owner Jack Stroud. In 1969 behind the wheel of Stroud’s famous Honker II it finally happened for him. Mel Kenyon was vying for an unprecedented 4th straight title and dogged Tattersall all year. To finally grab the brass ring Bob made 63 starts with his 11th and final win of the year coming at the Hut Hundred. In true Tat fashion, immediately after the season-ending Turkey Night Grand Prix he headed to Australia for his 12th consecutive year.
1970 would be his final year. He would finish third in USAC points scoring four wins for Doug Caruthers and took the checkered flag for the last time in Bloomington, Indiana on October 3 racing for George Gamester. He was already very ill. With a flamboyant style, he was beloved by fans, and his popularity in Australia and New Zealand was unparalleled. At the Sydney Showground it is reported that he won 20 times in 40 starts and ruled the World Speedcar title in those years. At Western Springs in Auckland, New Zealand the results were the same. Among all American racers who headed to these lands in the winter, in his day no one was as successful as Two Gun.
On October 27, 1971, Bob Tattersall succumbed to cancer. He was a hard living, hard driving man who left legions of fans. He was noted as a tough, but clean racer. His 63 USAC midget victories stands fourth in the all-time list, a remarkable accomplishment for a decade of work. Bob Tattersall passed at just 47 years old. It remains a bitter pill to swallow. He is a member of the National Midget Hall of Fame.
John Mahoney photo
Article Credit: Patrick Sullivan
