Grand Opening of Norwood Arena-This Day in Norwood History-June 11, 1948

Famed Pollack Duo Among Attractions For Track Opening

Country’s Top Drivers Will See Action At Arena Debut Monday

Excitement was building across New England as the long‑awaited Grand Opening of the new Norwood Arena approached. After rain forced a postponement the previous week, promoters prepared for a packed house on Monday night, promising one of the strongest midget‑auto racing lineups ever assembled on a New England track.

At the center of the buzz was the arrival of the famous Pollack team from Ohio, making their first Eastern appearance. The duo — Bob Harmon and Jim Florien — were already legends in the Midwest, and both would be piloting powerful Offenhauser machines on the newly completed Norwood strip.

Bob Harmon: From Hillbilly Radio to Racing Stardom

Harmon’s story was one of the most unusual in the sport. A decade earlier he had been performing on a hillbilly radio show before turning to auto racing, where he quickly became one of the Midwest’s dominant drivers. His résumé included:

• Winner of the 100‑mile classic at Cambridge, Ohio
• High‑point champion of the Ohio‑Michigan circuit
• Holder of the Ohio flat‑track title

Married and the father of four, Harmon arrived in Norwood with a reputation for consistency, fearlessness, and a knack for winning on unfamiliar tracks.

Jim Florien: A Survivor With a Need for Speed

Florien, the second half of the Pollack team, had been racing only since 1946 but had already lived through enough thrills — and close calls — for a lifetime. Just three weeks earlier at Sportsmen’s Park, he was being flagged in as the winner when his throttle stuck. His car launched into the air, tore down four sections of fencing, and left him with burns and arm injuries. In true daredevil fashion, he was back behind the wheel three nights later.

Florien had also been running strong at Bainbridge before a blown motor ended his race. Married with one child, he was known for his resilience and his ability to push a car to its limits.

Another Midwest Star Joins the Field

Joining the Pollack duo was Bill Spears of Ohio, the 1941 Michigan big‑car champion. Spears drove one of the most unusual machines in the country — the only race car equipped with rubber suspension. He had never raced on a hot‑top track before and was eager to see how his car would handle the Norwood surface.

Local Favorites Ready for Action

The Grand Opening promised a field of at least 40 cars, including many of New England’s most popular drivers:

• Joe Sostilio of Natick
• Bobby Blair of Dedham
• Wild Bill Randall of Wakefield
• Dick Shuebruk of Scituate
• Bud Tatro of South Norwalk, Connecticut

Several drivers had already tested the new track and declared it “the safest and fastest in the country.”

A Half‑Million‑Dollar Showplace

The Norwood Arena represented a massive investment — $500,000 for the track and facilities, plus a $150,000 clubhouse featuring a cocktail lounge and a 75‑foot bar. With seating for 16,000 spectators and ample supervised parking, the Arena was designed to be a premier racing venue for New England.

For opening night, management invited a roster of local and state dignitaries, who would watch the inaugural program from a special reviewing stand attached to the clubhouse.

With national‑caliber drivers, a state‑of‑the‑art track, and a community eager for the spectacle, Norwood prepared for a debut that promised to be as thrilling as the races themselves.

(Norwood Messenger}

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