EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA

Merrimack Valley

Car comes home to roost on roof

By Keri Letourneau
Correspondent
Published: July 31, 2008

LAWRENCE — Gateway Pub will bring back the race car that once stood atop its roof for a long-awaited visit this Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m.

The car, which was actually just a shell of the entire car, stood as a landmark on Merrimack Street to passers-by and was bought last year by Bob Crawford, a professional driver for the Super Streets Division at the All-Star Speedway in Epping, N.H.

Co-owners Amy Mellman and Paul Hutchins of North Andover bought the pub, originally Henry J's, and sold the car to Crawford because "we wanted to establish our own identity," said Mellman.

Though Mellman said customers understood the need to sell the car, there was a lot of interest in what happened to it.

"It's known not just in Lawrence, but the whole Merrimack Valley," said Mellman. "There's a lot of interest in racing and because it was such a landmark a lot of people would like to see it back on the road."

Crawford, who will be available at the pub for autographs and pictures, spent nearly nine months restoring the car, which needed a good deal of work after spending 12 years on the pub's roof. The restoration included: replacing the door panel and areas of the roof, changing the rear bumper cover, and getting handmade and custom-fitted fenders.

The number on the car, 74, was saved as well as its nickname, "Ellie Mae," in honor of its past racing days, which include two wins at the Indy Raceway Park in Indiana when it was driven by professional driver Randy Lajoie from 1996 to 1998.

Crawford is excited to bring the car back to Lawrence, where he believes it will get a good reception.

"I hope that they are emotional with the whole idea of the car coming back onto the track," said Crawford. "I hope everyone gets as excited as I do and I hope the spectators who cheer me on can have that same feeling as I do."

The car's restoration wouldn't have been possible without the help of sponsors: Lawrence Crankshaft and the Gateway Pub.

In addition, the pub is sponsoring a motorcycle charity ride at noon, before Crawford arrives, in honor of Marty Johnson, 21. Johnson, of Middleton, was killed in a motorcycle accident five weeks ago in Topsfield. There will be refreshments, raffles, and live rock band, Tonnage, to entertain the crowd. The entry fee for the charity ride is $15 and all proceeds go to Johnson's family.

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