Remember When by Don Gamble

Brian and Mark Muehlman

   Brian and his wife Gail reside in Ellwood City , PA where he is fishing and hunting during retirement. He has come a long way from his first job as an apple picker.  During his racing career he spent most of his time picking up wins at the local speedways over a span of twenty years. Brian felt that the best part of racing was winning and the toughest part was all of the traveling.  His most memorable moment in racing was winning at Pittsburgh ’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway by beating Tye Long on the last lap.  His most embarrassing moment in racing came one night at North Hills Raceway; while leading every lap but the last one.  He wasn’t paying attention and pulled into the pits on the white flag.  

Brian’s favorite competitors that he raced were two of the best, Herb Scott and Bob Wearing. His car owners included Pappy Kessler, Bob Brockett, Dave Cochran, Skip Bertges, Tim Temple, and Dan Pakosdi. The pit crew chores were handled by Bucky McKay and Mark Muehlman.  The team competed Ace High, Bedford, Blanket Hill, Buckeye, Butler, Challenger, Clearfield, Erie, Green Valley, Hagerstown, Heidelberg, Hickory, Jennerstown, Lernerville, Mansfield, Ohio, Marion Center, Morgantown, Motordrome, North Hills, Pennsboro, Pittsburgh, Raceway 7, Schmucker’s, Sharon, Sportsman’s Speedway, Tri-City, and Wayne County           

Brian won seven championships at Lernerville, Raceway 7, Expo, and North Hills. His feature win tally was seventy six.  His biggest win was at Raceway 7 with Rodney Combs, Larry Moore, and Freddie Smith. The payoff was a healthy $5000 to win purse.

Brian’s career really took off when he teamed up with Bill “Pappy” Kessler.  The Auction Barn Race Team won championships at North Hills, Lernerville, Mercer, Motordrome, and Tri-City Speedways. One night at Tri-City Raceway Bill's cars finished 1-2-3 in the feature. This is probably the first time in history that one car owner had this happen. His cars were impounded on two separate occasions, and Bill told the protestors when they were checking the cars "I will be eating steak and you guys will be eating hot dogs when this is over". The cars were all found legal. In 1973 at the Motordrome Speedway, the Semi-Late Championship was decided by one point when Bill Kessler, Jr. beat out teammate Brian Muehlman. Brian however won the championship at North Hills that year. It was the second of three straight titles at North Hills; Deek Scott won in 1972 and Dave Pegher in 1974. Pegher also won the ‘74 title at Lernerville and Muehlman was the Co-champion in 1973 with Bud Kunkel.

Kessler’s list of drivers included: Herb and Deek Scott, Glenn Hall, Bob Schaefnocker, Matt Sherlock, Sr., and Jr., Jim Irvine, Jr., Bob Wearing, Sr., and Bob Wearing, Jr., Brian Muehlman, Frank Chappel, Bill Kessler Jr., Don and Dave Pegher, Don Gamble, Don Allison, Banker Beach , Jim Smith, Steve Skillen, Jim Bertges, Bob Cooke, Dennis Curry, Tony Burke, and Lou Bradich.

Mark Muehlman 

            Mark and his wife Pamela reside in Mercer, PA where they own and operate the very successful Kargo Quality Cars Company.  Mark’s initial career choice was as a dish washer and things have improved considerably over the years.  His involvement in racing included driver, pit crew, car owner and sponsor over a forty year period of time. 

Like most competitors he felt the best part of racing was winning and the toughest part was crashing.  I had the opportunity to race against Mark at Lernerville and always found him to be a gentleman and a clean driver. His memorable moment in racing was the first career feature win and the most embarrassing moment in racing came when his hood flew up while leading the feature at Lernerville.

Mark got involved in racing through his father. I would have thought it would have been because of brother Brian.  His hobbies include boating, hot rods and show cars. Gary Pease was Mark’s favorite competitor to race with.  The driver he would most like to be compared to is his brother because he was the true “Ice Man” with nerves of steel.

People assume that he is Brian’s younger brother; I always thought so until I started this story. Mark’s pit crew included Bob Gallaher, Brian Muehlman and Mark’s son Jeff.  The Auction Barn Team was always willing to lend a hand when needed.

Mark and his team competed at Butler , Green Valley , Hickory , Lernerville, Marion Center , Mercer, North Hills, and Wheeling Creek WV .  His efforts did not go unnoticed since he was nominated for Rookie of the Year in the mid 70’s.  When Mark was not racing he served as pit crew for his younger brother Brian.  The Muehlman Family was a big part of local racing and a reason for us to “Remember When”.