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Angelo Howerton
Midget driver/owner
Stock car driver
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September 17,2008
Danley Clow attended the Tulsa Legions lunch and had the privilege of sitting next to Angelo Howerton. Angie drove midgets and stocks in and around Tulsa for years. The two old timers talked racing from 1945 when the midgets were the big attraction in town. The two were discussing the 1950 250 mile race in Okahoma City when two younger men said " they are talking about 1950". When one of the men was asked "what year were you born ?" he replied "1949". The 92 year old Angelo could tell you what he drove and details about the race. In 1945 Angelo flipped his midget at the Dewey, Oklahoma track and as a 15 year old kid Danley helped the ambulance driver transport Angelo to the Bartlesville hospital. The driver was alone and needed someone in the back looking after Angelo. Danley told Angelo about the left fender being ripped as cars had blocked some of the exit from the fairgrounds and then they came upon a train across the track and the train moved out of the way for the ambulance. After arriving at the hospital there was a call telling them there had been another crash at the track. When they arrived at the track they learned that was not true. They just wanted the ambulance back at the track and state law required an ambulance before they could race.
Danley said " at 78 it is great to find someone around that remembers the old days and Angelo is as sharp as they come"
Later Danley was in the service with Angelo's brother Junior Howerton, another old time midget driver. Junior passed away sometime ago. Also in that Air Force Squadron was Angelo's brother-in-law Lt. Haggan. Angelo and Thelma have a son Jackie Howerton who started his racing career in Tulsa and went on the bigger and better things.
Sitting to the left of Danley was Bill Seago, son of Floyd Seago who was the flagman in the 40's and 50's. Floyd and Danley were the best of friends.
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Pictures at the September 17,2008 Tulsa Legions lunch are (left to right) Derril Brazeal, Jim Lambert, Bill Seago and 92 year old Angelo Howerton.
Angelo may be in a wheel chair and having trouble seeing ,but he is as sharp as can be.
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