NEIL COLE - 5/27/1926 - 2/16/2016
Cole was born in Oakland, New Jersey. At a time when stock car drivers were primarily from the south, Cole took an interest and began visiting the local track in New York State. Cole entered his first season in NASCAR Grand National Division competition in 1950 at the age of 24 in the 200-lap event on the 1/2-mile dirt track at Vernon Fairgrounds in Vernon, New York, and finished 18th in his first outing driving the #89 Ford. Cole next competed with NASCARs top division at the 1-mile perfect circle dirt Langhorne Speedway in Langhorne, Pennsylvania -- where he finished fifth. Cole competed in five Grand National Division events in 1951 driving John Golabek's #52 Oldsmobile. He finished fifth in the rained shortened event at Occoneechee Speedway in Hillsboro, North Carolina. The event had been scheduled for 150 laps but was shortened to 95 laps due to a downpour. In his next start at the 1/2-mile asphalt Dayton Speedway in Ohio, Cole qualified 9th and finished 2nd to Fonty Flock, while holding off Lloyd Moore who finished third. His next race was at Thompson Speedway in Thompson Connecticut, and he was one of 38 drivers to compete in the 200 lap race. Cole qualified on the pole for the event setting a lap at 59.269 mph. When the race began, Cole engaged in a battle with Jim Reed. Reed and Cole swapped the lead
back and forth several times during the event with Reed leading 58 laps. In the end, Cole came across with the win after leading 45 laps in the event to collect $1,000 prize money, after lapping Reed who finished second. In 1952 he made eleven starts, five in his own self sponsored car, and six starts for owner John Golabek. His first two starts saw him race at North Wilkesboro, and at Martinsville. He finished sixth in both starts. Cole then switched to driving a Hudson, but it was plagued with mechanical issues as he fell out of all three starts he made in it. He then was hired to drive for Golabek and made six starts. After he had an engine issue in his first start in Golabek's Plymouth; he had
NASCAR National Short Track Champ 1952
five races where his worst finish was ninth place. At Stamford Park in Niagra Falls ONT Can; he finished sixth even though his motor failed 32 laps from the end. The race saw very high attrition as only three cars finished. Buddy Shuman won by two laps over Herb Thomas, and seven laps over third place finisher Ray Duhigg. At Shangri-La Motor Speedway in Owego NY, he started sixth and finished ninth. That was followed by his season's best finish when he came home third at Morristown Speedway in NJ. Lee Petty beat Tim Flock in the 200 lap affair. Cole ended the year with a ninth place run at Rochester, and a seventh place finish at Langhorne. 1953 would see Cole made only one start, and it would be the final Cup race of his career. He raced at Langhorne in May, but could only manage a 24th place finish. For his career Cole made 19 starts. He recorded the one win, five top five and eleven top ten finishes. He retired from racing and went on to become a successful businessman.
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