Melvin “Red” Foote was one of the greatest Modified drivers at the Speedbowl in the 1950’s, and later travelled with the famed “Eastern Bandits” throughout the 1960’s chasing big money races at numerous short tracks up and down the east coast.
In his first full season at the Speedbowl in 1953, piloting the Smith Bros’ #J-2 coupe, Foote dominated the Modified division winning an unprecedented 16 races, including two 50 lappers and a season-ending 100 lap race to clinch the 1953 Modified Championship.
Foote was a consistent winner, racking up 39 Modified wins during the 1950’s and a second Modified Championship at Waterford in 1958 after a 7 win season. His days with the Eastern Bandits in the 1960’s, which included heavy-hitters of the day like Ed Flemke, Denny Zimmerman, and Rene Charland, formed a lethal group of drivers who would chasing big money modified races throughout the 1960’s.
Red later relocated to Virginia. He was inducted into the NEAR Hall of Fame’s 2nd class in 1999. He passed away on February 3, 2013.
STATISTICAL SNAPSHOT
| TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS | 1953, 1958 Modified Champion |
| CAREER WINS | 39 Modified |
| SPEEDBOWL FIRSTS | First driver to win 16 Modified races in a season |
| OTHER NOTABLE STATS | 2nd driver to win 2 Modified Championships |
| Only Don Collins (56) had more Speedbowl wins than Foote in the 1950’s | |
| AWARDS & HONORS | 1999 New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame inductee |
| 2000 Speedbowl’s 50 Favorite Drivers |
RED FOOTE
SPEEDBOWL PHOTO ALBUM
