Top Photo: Ed Forfa
Second Photo: John Marchisio
Third Photo: John Marchisio
Fourth Photo: John Marchisio
Fifth Photo: John Marchisio
Top Photo: God Only Knows
Second Photo: Unknown
Third Photo: Unknown
Fourth Photo: Unknown
Fifth Photo: Unknown
Top Photo: Ed Forfa sent
in this unique Smokey
artifact from back in
the late 50's.
This is actually a picture
of a pin made up for Smokey Joe, and as Ed adds, they must have had fan clubs
even back then for drivers of Lebanon Valley.
Worth noting, Ed also brought up that Joe is doing fine, & is still working at
81 years young in
Possibly the original "Smoke". That is to say, before Tony Stewart.
In 1961, Pittsfield Massachusetts turned 200 and as a tribute, many grew beards and were known as "The Bearded Brothers of Berkshire". This motley looking crew were definitely part of that movement.
The owner and head mechanic was none other than Biagio Albertazzi. Or as some may remember, "Rollover Biagio". The entire crew had shots at driving the cars Biagio owned and built. The 02, the U2 and the Me2. In a recent conversation with Smokey, he tells me that they only built the cars for the next race. They were not in any points battle, just a Saturday night out.
Biagio had a hard time keeping the cars he drove on their wheels. It seems the fourth turn had something wrong with it because whenever Biagio tried to negotiate turn four, the cars would jump the wall and then head to Albany. Not hit the wall, but clear it by many feet.
Second Photo: A team shot of Smokey Joe, John Marchisio, Biagio Albertazzi and Biagio's son, Reno Albertazzi.
Third Photo: Smoke and John posing with the new shake screen?
Fourth Photo: John, Biagio and Smoke. Bearded Brothers of Berkshire.
Fifth Photo: Smokey and John working on a straight 6 in the yard. I am told that the button on Smokey's hat is commemorating the Pittsfield Massachusetts Bicentennial 1961, dating many of the photos.
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