Al Gerber
One of the real old-time automobile racing promoters who knew how to attract a strong field of drivers and a large crowds of spectators to his events, Al Gerber (1900-1974) was equally at ease with those who competed at his races and those who came to watch. And it was this combination of things that made him a leader in raising the bar with regard to the quality, growth and development of professional automobile racing in the United States.
Gerber and his longtime partner Irv Fried had great success running Modified stock-car and Midget races at the old quarter-mile Yellow Jacket Speedway on Frankford Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Then, in 1951, they purchased the old one-mile dirt Langhorne (Pa.) Speedway and almost before the ink was dry on that agreement Gerber set into motion his plans to create what would be the biggest event for Sportsman stock cars – and the forerunner of the tradition-rich Race of Champions.
Gerber’s idea was to bring all of the track champions together in one place for one big season-ending race. And since Langhorne’s dirt circle was a neutral major site, it brought much more appeal and prestige to the race and would give everyone an equal chance.
To help bring in all of the best racers, Gerber offered a heft $4,250 purse – with $1,000 going to the winner – and the 100-Mile National Sportsman Stock Car Championship was set for October 14, 1951 and, as history notes, it was the beginning of a very successful series.
But just holding the race at Langhorne wasn’t all that Gerber did. He made sure that all the racers and fans everywhere realized how important this event was as when Langhorne Qualifiers were held at various tracks during the summer Gerber was there to present the winner with his trophy and offer his personal invitation to come to the event.
This old-style way of promotion allowed Gerber to make his presence known to other promoters, fans, drivers and the various newspaper reporters who got the word out about his racing events, and it was very important to his way of doing things.
However, the Race of Champions was not Gerber’s only interest as over the years Langhorne featured American Automobile Association and United States Auto Club National Championship racing, NASCAR Grand National (Cup Series) racing, as well major events for the region’s Midget and Sprint Car organizations.
In 1955, Gerber and Fried upgraded Langhorne Speedway with improved spectator sight lines when the quarter-mile “Yellow Jacket Speedway” or “Langhorne Short Track” that surrounded the pits in front of the grandstands – and hosted Midget races from 1951-1953 – was removed. A new public address system and improved communications between the official scorer’s stand and the four flag stands that surrounded the track were also added. Plus, the speedway’s offices were moved from downtown Philadelphia to a new building right on the speedway’s grounds and from 1958-1963 a one-eighth-mile, infield drag strip also saw some use.
Then, in 1965, in deference to USAC’s National Championship events that always drew great crowds, Langhorne was paved and its old circle layout was changed into a “D-shape” when the back stretch was straightened. But the growth of this suburban Philadelphia area proved to be one that Gerber and Fried could not deny and in 1967 they announced that the property had been sold to mall developers. Racing, however, continued for five more seasons and the last race was the 21st edition of the then-National Open for Modified Stock Cars on October 17, 1971.
With Langhorne gone Al Gerber moved the Race of Champions across the Delaware River to the old 1.5-mile dog-leg-shaped Trenton (N.J.) International Speedway and he continued leading the race’s promotional efforts there until his death in June 1974.
One of the real old-time automobile racing promoters who knew how to attract a strong field of drivers and a large crowds of spectators to his events, Al Gerber (1900-1974) was equally at ease with those who competed at his races and those who came to watch. And it was this combination of things that made him a leader in raising the bar with regard to the quality, growth and development of professional automobile racing in the United States.
Gerber and his longtime partner Irv Fried had great success running Modified stock-car and Midget races at the old quarter-mile Yellow Jacket Speedway on Frankford Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Then, in 1951, they purchased the old one-mile dirt Langhorne (Pa.) Speedway and almost before the ink was dry on that agreement Gerber set into motion his plans to create what would be the biggest event for Sportsman stock cars – and the forerunner of the tradition-rich Race of Champions.
Gerber’s idea was to bring all of the track champions together in one place for one big season-ending race. And since Langhorne’s dirt circle was a neutral major site, it brought much more appeal and prestige to the race and would give everyone an equal chance.
To help bring in all of the best racers, Gerber offered a heft $4,250 purse – with $1,000 going to the winner – and the 100-Mile National Sportsman Stock Car Championship was set for October 14, 1951 and, as history notes, it was the beginning of a very successful series.
But just holding the race at Langhorne wasn’t all that Gerber did. He made sure that all the racers and fans everywhere realized how important this event was as when Langhorne Qualifiers were held at various tracks during the summer Gerber was there to present the winner with his trophy and offer his personal invitation to come to the event.
This old-style way of promotion allowed Gerber to make his presence known to other promoters, fans, drivers and the various newspaper reporters who got the word out about his racing events, and it was very important to his way of doing things.
However, the Race of Champions was not Gerber’s only interest as over the years Langhorne featured American Automobile Association and United States Auto Club National Championship racing, NASCAR Grand National (Cup Series) racing, as well major events for the region’s Midget and Sprint Car organizations.
In 1955, Gerber and Fried upgraded Langhorne Speedway with improved spectator sight lines when the quarter-mile “Yellow Jacket Speedway” or “Langhorne Short Track” that surrounded the pits in front of the grandstands – and hosted Midget races from 1951-1953 – was removed. A new public address system and improved communications between the official scorer’s stand and the four flag stands that surrounded the track were also added. Plus, the speedway’s offices were moved from downtown Philadelphia to a new building right on the speedway’s grounds and from 1958-1963 a one-eighth-mile, infield drag strip also saw some use.
Then, in 1965, in deference to USAC’s National Championship events that always drew great crowds, Langhorne was paved and its old circle layout was changed into a “D-shape” when the back stretch was straightened. But the growth of this suburban Philadelphia area proved to be one that Gerber and Fried could not deny and in 1967 they announced that the property had been sold to mall developers. Racing, however, continued for five more seasons and the last race was the 21st edition of the then-National Open for Modified Stock Cars on October 17, 1971.
With Langhorne gone Al Gerber moved the Race of Champions across the Delaware River to the old 1.5-mile dog-leg-shaped Trenton (N.J.) International Speedway and he continued leading the race’s promotional efforts there until his death in June 1974.