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John Ferrin |
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John Ferrin of Omaha raced at
Playland Speedway from 1968-1972. During that time frame, John raced
orange ’55 Chevys, # 103, built by John himself.
John ran Playland’s Bronco
Division in 1968 & ’69. His first orange # 103, with Chevy 327
power, survived the tough Playland racing of 1968, but unfortunately, was
involved in a roll-over at Whitehead Speedway, a large ½ mi dirt track
near Nebraska City. While John was not seriously injured, his race car
was; enough for it to be finished racing. For the 1969 season, John
built another ’55 Chev, and returned to Playland, racing in the Bronco
Division. One of John’s least favorite Playland memories happened in the
Bronco Division, as rough driving by others took its toll. One night,
John’s # 103 got hit by a car that struck & bounced off every car it
got close to. This caused an unwanted trip to the frame machine.
In 1970, Playland’s format
changed from exclusively Broncos to 3 classes. The Broncos remained as a
popular class, but cars in it were subject a $500 claim rule. Playland’s
new Mini Stock class was introduced in 1970 with a similar concept as the
Broncos, but with foreign cars, restricted rules, and no claim rule. The premiere division
introduced in 1970 was the Super Stocks, 1955-1970 American-built cars
that were allowed to run big tires, less restrictions, and with no claim
rule. John made the switch and
upgraded his ’55 Chev Bronco car from 1969 to a Super Stock for 1970.
Helping with this and never missing any of John’s Playland races was his
brother Denny, who passed away a few years ago. The competition in the Super
Stock class was quality and tough; any good finishes there were earned.
With names like Paul Zdan, RonTilley, Dick Gappa, Wally Nissen, Bill
Sheffield, Elvin Heiman, Glen McKeigan, and others, no race was an easy
one. John’s favorite Playland
memory happened during the 1970 season, when John won his Heat, the Trophy
Dash, and finished 2nd in the Super ‘A’, just 1 spot short
of a clean sweep. More recently, John is
retired from UPS, drives a school bus part time, and is into street
rodding. He & his wife Jeanette can be seen occasionally at various
local car shows. John has restored a beautiful ’57 Chevy that went to
their daughter. His current project is a 1936 Ford 2 door sedan, that when
completed will have Ford power under the hood. Like most that raced at
Playland, John has some good related memories & stories to tell. Pic 1:
John Ferrin’s 1955 Chevy Bronco car, built/raced in 1968. Car
was in a rollover at Whitehead Speedway, ending its racing career. Pic 2: John and his late brother Denny Ferrin. Denny helped John’s racing effort and never missed a Playland race when John was racing . Pic 3:
1970 Playland Super Stock top drivers. John Ferrin is on Wally
Nissen’s right.
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