2005 Year in Review

Arnie Beswick Boulevard

Arnie "The Farmer" shows off his new street sign

Howdy Mills reading a tribute to Beswick

Tameless Tiger II

As Howdy Mills read a tribute to Beswick, a large crowd of fans surrounded show promoter Ron Weimer, Mills, and Arnie “The Farmer” Beswick “How do you put over 50 years of racing into a few minutes,” he explained. “Beswick had a huge impact on a lot of people in this town. In the 1960’s he was #1 in the nation in funny cars. He was an innovator, the first to put blowers on cars and the first to use nitro methane. What he did took courage. Beswick took a 1000 hp engine and put it into a production car manufactured for a 200 hp engine.”

Mills reminisced about the time he hid in the racecar to get into the racetrack for free. “I’m one of the few who’s ridden in the world’s fastest GTO.” Mills also remember trying to explain to his dad what happened to his golf cart after they added nitro methane to it. Beswick retorted, “it didn’t go far but it went really fast”.

Mayor Drey presented Beswick with a framed proclamation, a plaque, and a street sign bearing his name. He explained, “Arnie has been ambassador for Morrison throughout the country”.

Beswick was spending the weekend with his family at Nascar in Chicago and returned for this special honor. His crew of friends brought in his newest Pontiac, Tameless Tiger II for display, along with t-shirts and models for sale. “The Farmer” was busy shaking hands and signing memorabilia for his fans.

There’s a lot of nostalgia and memories for fans from the 1950’s to the 80’s. A fire severely burned him a few years ago but it did not stop his will to race. Beswick hopes to take his newest car down the quarter mile once again.

This was special time for the residents of Morrison to honor their ambassador and share their memories.

by Barb Benson, theCity1.com
July 14, 2005