1959 Watson Leader Card Champ Dirt

In 1959 A.J. Watson built this champ dirt car for owner Ralph Wilke of Milwaukee, Wisconsin for Rodger Ward to drive. This car was the first to make a lap on the new Indy Raceway Park road course driven by Tony Bettenhausen. In April 1960 Rodger Ward drove the car to win a 100 mile at Trenton. Then Jimmy Bryan, a crew cut, cigar-smoking giant dressed in Levi's and cowboy boots, drove the car at Langhorne Speedway. The car hooked a rut, leaped into the air and flipped, viciously killing Bryan. In 1964 Rodger Ward drove to 2nd in USAC National Championship. Texans Jud Larson and Johnny Rutherford drove the car in 1965 and Chuck Hulse drove in 1966. In 1967 Jim 'Herk'Hurtubise drove at Springfield only to have a wild tumbling spill, bouncing over the wall, through a catch fence, and disappearing out of the track. He scored in 5th at the time. In 1971, Snider pushed the 12-year-old car to the inaugural USAC National Dirt car title.

After several more races, drivers, and owners, in March 2006 Bill Olney sold the car and it became part of the current owner's collection.