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Speedway 3 / 3
This Elvis movie was about stock car racing at the famed Charolotte
Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina, where location race scenes
were filmed. Participating in the movie were several champion
professional NASCAR racers including: Richard Petty, Buddy Baker,
Cale Yarborough, Tiny Lund, Dick Hutcherson, G. C. Spencer, and Roy
Mayne who played themselves. Sandy Reed, a professional race
announcer, played the announcer for "Speedway." Christopher West,
who played Billie Jo, was the reigning Queen of Laguna-Seca Sport
Car Races at the time.
Among the many stunt drivers used for this film were: Bob Harris,
whose credits include "Bonnie and Clyde", "Bullitt", "Magnum Force"
and "The Gumball Rally." Courtney Brown, who worked on such films as
"Thunderball," "Porky's" and "Ace Ventura- Pet Detective." Bud Ekins,
who specialized in motorcycle stunts including some for "The Great
Escape," "Then Came Bronson" and "CHiPs." Max Balchowsky who also
provided stunt work for "Viva Las Vegas," "Grand Prix," "Bullit" and
"The Deer Hunter."
Bob Herron, a Navy boxing champion who has done stunts in hundreds
of TV shows and movies. Carey Loftin whose stunt credits range in
movies from the 1940s to the 1990s.
Ross Hagen played rival race car driver Paul Dado. He might be best
remembered for his role of Bart Jason on the TV series "Daktari."
His credits also include writing, directing and producing.
Burt Mustin who played the janitor at the Coffee Shop, had been a
salesman until he got involved in radio and barbershop harmony in
mid-life. He was 68 when he had his first movie role in the 1951,
"The Last Outpost." Acting roles in movies and TV began to roll in
and he became much in demand. A notable role is that of Gus the
Fireman o the "Leave It to Beaver" television series. He was 86 by
the time he acted in "Speedway." Having just retired from his role
of Arthur on the "Phyllis" TV series, Mustin died at age 95.
Principal photography for "Speedway" ended on August 18, 1967. Elvis
was finished with looping by August 21 and immediately went into
makeup tests for "Stay Away, Joe." "Speedway" premiered in
Charlotte, North Carolina on June 12, 1968. It was #40 on Variety's
movie list for the year of 1968. |