CLARENCE "MUTT" ANDERSON
Mutt Anderson has long been recognized as one of the top open-wheel mechanics in the nation. He is a member of the Sprint Car Hall of Fame, the Fan Club Hall of Fame, and on November 1, 2009 he was inducted into the Dayton Speedway Hall of Fame. Here's Anderson's citation as read at the Dayton Speedway Hall induction ceremony:
XENIA NATIVE CLARENCE ANDERSON, BETTER KNOWN AS “MUTT” TO HIS MANY FRIENDS IN AUTO RACING, IS AMONG THE MOST SUCCESSFUL OPEN-WHEEL CAR BUILDERS AND MECHANICS TO EVER HOLD A WRENCH. BUT HE BEGAN HIS CAREER AS A MOTORCYCLE RACER THEN LATER DROVE RACE CARS IN THE 1930S AND 1940S AT TRACKS LIKE LANGHORNE, WILLIAMS GROVE, AND THE HIGH-BANKED TRACKS AT WINCHESTER, SALEM, AND DAYTON.
IN 1947 MUTT ENTERED HIS CAR IN THE MAY CLASSIC, THE INDY 500. HIS FRIEND WILBUR SHAW CONVINCED HIM TO STEP OUT OF THE CAR AND LET TRAVIS “SPIDER” WEBB DRIVE IT. THEY DIDN’T QUALIFY AND MUTT NEVER RETURNED TO THE BRICKYARD.
LATER MUTT PURCHASED A KURTIS-KRAFT MIDGET AND HIRED DRIVERS LIKE TROY RUTTMAN, MIKE NAZARUK, ANDY LINDEN, EDDIE SACHS AND LEROY WARRINER.
IN THE 1950S MUTT TEAMED WITH OWNER LEE ELKINS AND DRIVER MIKE NAZARUK TO TACKLE THE NATIONAL SPRINT CAR CIRCUIT. IN THE 1960S, MUTT PURCHASED HIS OWN SPRINT CAR AND FOUND SPONSORSHIP FROM H & H MACHINE TOOL. OUR SPORT’S TOP DRIVERS WERE SOON LINING UP FOR A CHANCE TO DRIVE ANDERSON’S CAR. THOSE DRIVERS INCLUDED A.J.FOYT, JOHNNY RUTHERFORD, BOBBY UNSER, AND BILLY VUKOVICH.
WHEN ROGER MCCLUSKEY SIGNED ON TO DRIVE THE H & H MACHINE TOOL SPECIAL, MUTT ANDERSON HAD FOUND THE DRIVER HE WAS LOOKING FOR. IN 1966 THEY RAN THE ENTIRE USAC SPRINT CAR TOUR WINNING NINE TIMES AND FINISHING IN THE TOP FOUR 22 OUT OF 24 TIMES TO TAKE THE NATIONAL TITLE. CONSIDER THAT MUCH OF MUTT ANDERSON’S SUCCESS CAME WHILE HE CONTINUED TO OPERATE HIS FAMILIES SLAUGHTERHOUSE BUSINESS FULL-TIME.
(All photographs on this page are courtesy of the Anderson Family collection.)
The year is 1953 and Mutt is behind the wheel of the MacNamara Motor Express sprint car.
"Iron Mike" Nazaruk was one of Mutt Anderson's top flight drivers. This photo of Mutt and Mike was taken in 1954.
In 1966, with driver Roger McCluskey behind the wheel, Mutt decided to take try to take on the full USAC sprint schedule, not an easy undertaking when you are stil trying to run a full-time family business. The Anderson/McCluskey duo, with Anderson's car sponsored by H & H Machine Tool, won the national title. The photo above was taken at the first race of the 1967 season at Eldora Speedway. It was also Roger's last ride in Mutt's sprint car (or any other sprint car we believe). On November 12, 1966, at the end of McCluskey's championship season, his close friend Don Branson, (who reportedly had planned to retire at the end of that season) was killed in a violent crash at Ascot Park, CA. Newcomer Dick Atkins was also killed in the same accident. McCluskey's enthusiasm for sprint car racing was dimmed, and given that more profitable opportunities were coming his way in Indy cars and sports cars it isnot suprising that McCluskey walked away from sprints.
You know that you are playing in the big leagues when drivers like Roger McCluskey (seated) and Bobby Unser hang out in your garage! Notice all the photos and other memoribilia hanging on the wall. Sadly, this shop and all its contents was lost in the tornado of 1973.