Jim Heiland Finds Old Bob Jusola Car 5-2010
About 6 years ago, an old racer friend Craig Peterson in Miltown WI told me about this 70 Chev Nova Stock Car, built and driven by Bob Jusola in the early 70’s. It is one of the first Bemco Racing Chassis ever build. At that time the owner was not ready to sell it. Every once in awhile I would call him to see if he changed his mind. Well in October of 2007, I called Dennis McKinnley again, met with him and finally bought the car, what was left of it. It had been sitting for almost 34 years. I loaded my prize, brought it to my shop and started the restoration.
Why a Bob Jusola Car? Well Bob made a big mark in stock car racing in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin. He was known as The Flying Finn. One website I found said he won over 400 races. I first met Bob in the late 50’s when I was about 15. We started a car club, “Road Runners Of Lake Minnetonka”, in Excelsior MN. Bob Jusola and Dave Bull were our sponsors. Bob was good enough to let us work on his race car, or maybe get in the way. I do remember we did have fun and learned a lot. Over the years I did a lot of cheering for him at different tracks. In the late 60’s I had a chance to race with him at Raceway Park, Elko, and Minnesota State Fair.
My Favorite Bob Jusola Story. Maybe 69 or 70 at the Minnesota State Fair we were racing together. As I remember, it was like a 50 or 75 lap race. After many laps I noticed I was gaining on Bob, which usually never happened. Out of turn two I was on his bumper, just couldn’t believe my car was that fast. Then on the back stretch, I passed him, WOW . As I went by I glanced over, there was Bob, lighting a cigarette with both hands, steering with his knees on the back stretch, at 95 mph. I almost drove off the track. After his smoke break, he passed me again. Lots of good racing memories. Bob died of a heart attack in 1980 while racing at the Minnesota State Fair, he was only 48.
As you can see, my goal is to restore the Nova to look like it did in 1972, bright orange and a big number 4 on it. On May 15, 2010, the car made it’s debut at the Milwaukee Mile and finished third.
Current Car Owners, Jim Heiland & Chris Welsh 612.889.2100
Liberty Station, Affordable Used Cars, Arlington, MN
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