—Photo from the collection of Karl Brown

From the Jeff Adams collection

Jimmy Daywalt is shown here in the #4042 Merkler Special on the last lap of the feature race at Greenville, Ohio on June 20, 1948 leading second place #2 Bobby Grim of Indianapolis, Indiana to the checkered flag. This was the only CSRA feature that was not won by Wally Stokes in 1948.

From the Jeff Adams collection

Jimmy Daywalt in the #4042 Merkler Special is shown here on the pole while Bobby Grim is in Hector Honore’s #2 “City of Roses” Offy on the outside of the front row as they lead the pace lap around for the start of the feature race at Greenville, Ohio on June 20, 1948

From the Jeff Adams collection

Dick Poiry is shown here at Bloomington, Indiana on April 3, 1949 with Jimmy Daywalt who is seated in the Merkler Special. Daywalt set the fastest time in time trials that day before winning both his heat and the 20-lap feature race.

From the Jeff Adams collection

Jimmy Daywalt of Wabash, Indiana is shown here in the #4042 Merkler Special in 1948

In May 1949, Jimmy attempted to qualify the Bill and Bud Motor Sales #56 Offy in the Indianapolis 500.  He did not qualify.

August 28, 1949, Milwaukee

On August 28, 1949, Jimmy attempted to qualify the Tydol #71 Offy at Milwaukee.  He was too slow and did not start the race.

September 3, 1949, DuQuoin

On September 3, 1949, Jimmy attempted to qualify the Pat Clancy #57 Offy at DuQuoin, but he did not start that race.

September 25, 1949, Springfield

On September 25, 1949, Jimmy attempted to qualify the Auto Shippers #21 at Springfield, but he was too slow and did not start the race.

Click the Date and Race above for the box score of that race

My first real racing experience was in 1947. I went to a sprint race at Logansport which George Tichenour won. It looked like a lot of un and I heard that it paid well. I decided right then that racing was for me.

At Logansport I heard that there was a race car for sale in Ft. Wayne. Bob Brown, who lived in my home town of Wabash, and I decided to buy it. We did, the next day, for about $?00. There was only one draw-back. It was completely dismantled. It took us a full month to rebuild it.

The first time I drove it – again at Logansport – I had the fourth fastest qualifying time, but it burned out a rod and I couldn’t race it. I drove in 16 races that summer. I kept track of everything I bought – bolts, paint, etc. I sold it at the end of the season. Counting everything I made exactly 88c on the deal. That was the end of my car ownership.