Hey Billie,
since you were in the Chgo area in the late 50's and 60's do you remember a guy by the name of Al Mc Kenzie, he ran 2 1953 blown Catillac's and trying desperately trying to get into the 11's, he eventaully ran low 11's with one of the cars. I grew up a couple blks from him and worked at a gas station in my teens. He bought his parts from Geo Montgomery. That's really how i got into racing super charged cars. The gas station i worked at was owned by Mit's and Tod Uno, also top fuel racers on the N. side by Lincoln park, they were also cousins the Kenny Herriata.
Long story short, that's when Hydro Bob first came up with the stall converter on the earlier Hydro 4 sp from Olds and that was my first trans in my t'bird, it had about 3,000 stall and probably slipped atleast 20% on top end.
I never ventured down to Cardova/Coal city, but i think Dennis is right it's one of the oldest track in operation.
I think you are right about Chryser giving out engines, and i think the Speed Sport roadster, which was ran out of Speed Sport on the south side was also getting some of those hemi's.
Man i'm glad i only have old times desease and still have my mermories.
I remember the cripple guy in the pontiac but for the life of me i can't remember his name, but he did play hell with the 409 chevies.
Zip.